Track nTrail - Matchams Park Sunday 12^th April
Husqvarna Sponsored Winter Series Race Report Round 5

Drip Drip Drop little April Showers; hail storms; brilliant sunshine and gruelling three hour Hare and Hounds endurance sums up the final round of an action packed Track N Trail Winter series, at Matchams Park, which saw just under three-hundred of the Track n Trail massive take to the line in this historic home for motor-sport, that attracts riders from far and wide.

With the GP track in use, Mike and the Track n Trail crew were challenged to offer a new and varying course layout that made use of the best the park had to offer, it certainly tested and flowed and rewarded those that attacked it.

The course weaved through the whooped sand and the usual choice of both hard and easy route options that were monitored and assessed for the duration of the event, allowing all levels of rider the ability to choose, the ski jump this meeting became a climb that surprised some with kickers on the accent for the un-prepared.

The course proved to be extremely draining, as Matchams so often does, though there was some areas to draw deep breathe or grab a breather, from that sand, which proved a huge drain on energy and brake pads as it grinds like emery cloth with each turn of the wheel, as Richard Warner was to find out

As the bikes began the parade lap it looked possible that Michael Fish and the team could have got the weather wrong, even as the race began at 10.30 am it was still dry though the air was damp and the clouds darkened.

After an hour and a half we saw the rain begin to fall and with the roll off systems taking a heavy beating as riders tried to keep a clear vision, many followed by a fluttering transparent tail as the sand clogged the pull cords causing the film to brake. The final hour saw the heaviest rain adding to the already tough challenge.

As the flag dropped and the Championship riders roared into the first left hand bend and surprisingly Daryl close to the back of the pack, before his bobbed across the sandy whoops before dropping into the woods. Daryl did have it all his own way, and whilst clocking the fastest lap Kevin Murry took the second fastest. So Daryl took another winners podium, with Kevin just 58 seconds outside of another lap with James Jackman third.

In The Experts over 40’s Ian Proodfoot rode an outstanding race but Hans Kaashoek put in a fantastic ride to come in just as the flag dropped taking his twelve laps 13 minutes before Ian. Bothe were a head of Dave Potts in third and Peter Young in fourth.

In the Expert class Dereck Bawn took all thirty points with an impressive thirteen lap win over twelve lapper James Giddings in second, with Dave Nuttall also on twelve laps. The ever consistent Greg Pascoe failed to finish on the Podium in sixth place.

In the Clubman 4-banger, after three hours battling, two riders sat on twelve laps with only five seconds separating them both at the finish line, with Daniel Beavan first and Jason Bailey second. It was Gary Benham third.

The Clubman 2-stroke saw Craig Atlass the only rider to complete twelve laps ahead of Jason Alba in second on eleven laps five minutes ahead of third place Seb Dexter.

In The Sportsman Over 40’s some eight riders all completed ten laps, with Andrew Trott taking the winners medal, ahead of Gerhard Wallis in second, with Mike Hill in third.

In the Sportsman 2-stroke six riders completed ten laps with Jack Ayres four minutes ahead of second place Simon Coventry and Mical Bisag in third.

In the Sportsman 4-stroke class Nathan Wood took a podium place with a first completing ten laps a head of second place Noel James and Reese Jones in third.

In the Trail class Gary Hutchings took top spot with impressive nine-laps and four minutes over second place Daniel Bull and third place and fellow nine lapper Jacque Stevens

So to the Youth event: which saw over 90 young riders gather for the riders briefing, just as the weather turned as bad as it had been all day. The hail that simply tumbled out of the sky chilled the riders to the bone and turned the race track ruts into raging torrents of water. Daryl who had stayed on especially to lead the youth out on their sighting lap commented on how much the race track had changed in the 15minutes after his winning lap and how horrendous the track was for those now facing it. Every young rider out there who managed to compete even a lap should be proud of themselves, it doesn’t get much tougher than that, well done to them all

The 125 class, saw Scott Clifford put in a really excellent performance on 7 laps that sees him take the round and the Championship. So it is a double first for the husky team in the Husky Sponsored Track n Trail Winter Series. Darryl for the adults 31 points, ahead of Jon Hinam and Scott 18 points ahead of Marcus Alba. Mike Carter now having to pay out large bonuses to his sponsored riders!!!!!!!

Marcus Clare goes from strength to strength, and his never give up attitude paid out as he took 2^nd place in the 125cc 5 minutes ahead of Chris Gunter. Both on 6 laps.

In the 85Big Wheel class, 1^st place was originally awarded to Tommy Alba as Christopher Noyce was deducted a lap of what appeared to be an incredibly fast lap but he has had this lap reinstated having had the time differences explained by having to pit for repairs to a front break Calliper on one lap and riding with a puncture on theothers. So Chris takes first on 6 laps 4 minutes ahead of Tommy, also on 6 laps, who takes second as his father did in the morning. Jack Hooper and Dan Newman both rose to the challenging track conditions to put in their best results of the series. Both on 5 laps but it was Jack who just slipped in 3 seconds ahead to take 3^rd.

The 85 Small Wheel class, saw Ben Howell, used to riding in the tough welsh countryside, take the win easily on 6 laps. Jack Howe came in a strong second on 5 laps with Harvey Dark in third.

The tough conditions really challenged all in the 65cc class, even Dylan didn’t fly as fast as usual but he did take the win on 5 laps, we look forward to seeing him move up to 85SW for the summer series. Luke Rudd, Owen Woodley and Zak Summerhayes all completed 4 laps to take 2^nd ,3^rd and 4^th respectively.

Ladies and Gentleman you’ve been a great audience and for the last time I have been Mark Morris, Goodbye.

The Track n Trail Team and Riders would like to take this opportunity to Thank Mark for entertaining us all with his race reports over the last few years, He’s done an outstanding job but now feels he must retire from writing and concentrate on riding! 

Thanks Again to Mark.

Biker Comment: I would also just like to add my congratulations and thanks to Mark for a job well done.