Sunday 17^th June saw the annual Track and Trail pilgrimage to what must one of the best loved TnT tracks. The adult entry was full long before the closing date and all 240-riders were not put off by possibility of rain.

One of Mike’s first ever tracks back in the early days has always proved to, like a bride and groom on their honeymoon, been an eagerly and excitingly anticipated event, the paddock was electric on race morning.

Looks easy from there right?

A fast flowing circuit, with a large Moto-X section, ensures that all of the die hard MX boys with their coloured wheels, golden hubs and more stickers on their bikes than you can shake a stick at, were there. Well, what I can say, it was good to see Jerry (Sword) Howell again!!!

However, do not for one minute ladies and gentleman think that this race track is a one trick pony, there hard route climbs that offer the rider little or no run ups, a steep falling descent down polished stones that roll like marbles beneath you, with more than a fair share of off chamber going on, that keeps you well on your toes right till the end.

So to the race, and checking the pre-race weather report, the BBC had the morning looking sunny with possible showers around 4.00pm, so as I struggled to rise from my sleep filled slumber and hearing a gentle trickle of water, my heart stopped. Was this yet another one of those one too many drinks last night and thinking I was in the en-suite already moments???

A quick pat down, and my cheeks expelled a large phew of welcome relief, dry sheets, I through back the curtains - it was pouring down. I ran down to check the weather report nothing had changed still forecasting sunny spells!

The Drive to Abbotsbury saw some very unsettle climatic conditions - every one must have wondering if the rain would go as that wet grass would be unforgiving. As always it seems both luck and the sun shone on Mike and the crew.

We had an idea to gain better results for ourselves, to wear out the riders as much as possible pre-race Mike had strategically placed the bike scrutineering half way up the hill, all 240-bikes through and on the line it was show time.

Riders nervously tried to balance and be ready for the imminent swift dropping of the flag, many had forfeited a natural first corner line place, for the comfort and stability of level ground.

Go! as the championship riders fired away and they all got away safely and through the first virgin grass left turn that last year had claimed a good a few. It was already shaping up to be a four way fight with David Biles, Gary Wright, Jon Hinman and Jonathon Hayman locked in battle most of the race.

The track should have favoured the sheer grunt of 525 KTM piloted by Captain Biles, the ground shook as he thundered pass me in the woods. But it was Jon Hinham who took the chequered flag on 15-laps with David second on 14-laps and Gary Wright 3^rd also on 14-Laps.

The Highly competitive experts over 40’s saw old adversaries Jerry Howell and Peter Young again locked in battle but it was two wins out of two for Pete Archer, with Michael "Brookster" Brookes on board a new non-orange bike just 14-seconds behind in second with Patrick Willis 3^rd all on 13 laps.

"Brookster" and Pete Archer spent most of the race in sight of each other with Michael taking the lead after Pete lost his clutch and front brake, before re-claiming the lead, making his victory just that little bit more deserved.

Track and Trail would like to apologise to any rider who finished directly behind Tom Moore and Tim Newman in this group the mêlée which ensued at the end of the race was a direct result of both riders failing to understanding the significance of the chequered flag, it has been so long since either had observed this ceremonious race ending practice, quite simply both had forgotten what to do!!!!

To the experts and it was welcome back to Euan Harrison (good to see you gain Euan) proving that he had not lost any of his form. Joe Duncan took the top spot and all 30 points with 14-laps to his credit, Nikki Hartley 2^nd on 13-laps and Euan just 30-seconds adrift in 3^rd also on 13-laps.

In the Clubman Four Banger group which seems to grow each race, and become ever more competitive. Despite a poor start and in fact being dead last of the line Guy Dix put on sterling display with his raggered MX style, until three laps from the end taking on a rear puncture, riding on till the end

It was Adam Senior who took the race victory on 13-laps over Brad Perrett, with Guy Dix in 3^rd all on 13-laps.

The Clubman 2-Stroke Class saw the rather laid back and some may even say lethargic Andy Burgess race from the line like a Scouser on Giro day

(Hello to all of our readers from the North-West Sorry to stereo-type you, Calm down Calm Down!!!) Only to bin it on slippery off chamber twists at the top of the hill.

It was another top podium for Kevin Rumming with 13-laps to his credit and four minute lead of Tony Primmer in 2^nd just 20 seconds ahead of Jake Morphey also on 13-laps in 3^rd.

In The Sportsman 4-Banger Group Stephen Mulliner went one better than his Star Hill 2^nd Place with a win and 12-laps over Neil Derrick Tristian Fisher 2^nd and 3^rd respectively on 11-laps.

The Sportsman 2-Stroke group saw Ashley Buckland make it two out of two wins on 12-laps over 11-lappers Jim Allwood and Gavin Magss in 2^nd and 3^rd.

The Over 40’s Sportsman saw Triss Macey on his first outing and despite a valiant effort was just beaten by Glen Wood who added to his Star Hill 1^st with another 30 points with Richard Crowden in 3^rd.

In The Trail group two riders completed 11-laps with Kevin Hammacott taking 1^st over the consistent Sevki Supurgeci with Michael Brandwood Cormack in 3^rd on 10-laps.

Yes the talk of the Paddock is back (though I think Mike may remove this as he seemed some what touchy this week!!!)

A ride with Mike Part 3

This week sees Mike lay down the challenge of jumping higher and further. Mike says, "Remember when jumping you should approach the jump in the attack position and then to gain height and distance push down on the bike with your arms and feet onto the pegs causing the front and rear suspension to rebound gaining you height and distance".

"Also remember that the angle at which you take off will be the angle that you travel through the air, use your weight on the bike to change this, if the front wheel is too high pull in the clutch and dab the rear brake. If the front wheel is too low rev the bike this will cause the front wheel to rise, and remember to open the throttle just before you land so stopping you bounce when you land

Mike 

Me