The first south west round of the 2007 SW Enduro Championships took
place at the Grey Mare plantation in Cornwall on Sunday 28 February.
This event - now in its second year of running was put on by the
Camel Vale MCC with Mike Roose once more responsible for the course.
17 Andy Annear & 19 Steven Powell race for position
Although there was a very good turnout, a 120 plus excited racers
lined up for the start, there were some notable figures missing from the
top championship class.
Clubman 4 stroke 250cc class - first bend action
The 'man to beat' - or so everyone thought - Jason Fraser, was not
able to ride as his finger had not healed properly yet. He went in to
hospital on Wednesday where they took the brace and plaster off.
Although they were pleased with how it had mended so far, it was too
soon to race. The bone still needed to mend further and he had no
strength or grip in that hand as it had been immobile in plaster for two
weeks. (Plus Jason is left-handed and it was his left hand, so he needs
to look after it.)
Mark Denslow championship closes on
clubman 2 stoke under 225cc rider Chris Doidge
Jason's main rival for 2006 - Nick Life - was also a notable
absentee. So the championship could be wide open for this year -
especially now that Steve Dustow has recently found some extra form - as
displayed by winning the extreme TOUGH ONE event Expert class last
weekend.
The long woodland based track had fast open going, tight niggly
woods, a few steep drops and climbs, that caught a lot of people out, -
but nothing ridiculously difficult.
Expert class rider Richard Jay finished 11th.
After a gruelling race facing opposition from Cornwalls best
Championship level riders, Steve Dustow took the win with 5 minutes in
hand from a brilliant ride from Bradley Williams in second. Steven
Jewell put on a good performance to come in third nine minutes later and
was the last rider to clock up a full 10 laps.
Max Hembroke took the Expert win from Martin Cheeseman by 6 minutes -
both on 9 laps. Who himself was only 1 minute ahead of Keith Hoskin in
third.
Expert Richie Platt in action
Clubman 2-stroke rider Matt Dale reported on Monday "The Grey
Mare was fantastic, but I'm aching all over this morning. It was an
awesome course."
He then went on to say "It was just a good, tough enduro that
left riders feeling exhausted but happy by the end. All credit to the
Camel Vale guys for their work and effort."
Stefan Gill took 3rd spot in the over 250 4 stroke
class.
Sadly what is normally the traditional next South West round 'Trelowarren'
is not on this year. The official reason is 'they do not want the ground
cut up' down there. But some suggest that the main reason could be that
they have built many new luxury timeshares on the estate and probably do
not want bikes racing in there!
Expert class rider Vince Allen
Report: Matt Dale
Photos: Harry Parkinson
