Report: AMCA Skegness Beach Rcae
By Team TMX on 11th Nov 15
Year after year riders from all organisations return to compete in the AMCA Skegness Beach race weekend, united in the opinion that not only is it an ultra-tough challenge but also one of the top events in their competition calendar.
Sunday's main three-hour solo bash was particularly memorable for Geordie boys James Hutchinson and John Robson who brilliantly took the top two places mounted on Bikesport Newcastle KTMs.
For Hutchinson this was his first ever appearance in a major beach race while Robson had only just returned to action after suffering an early-season broken leg.
Robson displayed incredible stamina throughout the weekend as he also contested Saturday's Clubman race where he topped the Over 18s class after finishing the race in third spot behind talented teenagers James Wainwright and Oliver Benton.
Both Wainwright and Benton also contested the big race on day two with Oliver taking a brilliant
third as James, after switching from four-stroke KTM power over to a two-stroke Suzuki, got home 11th.
It was time for the talking to stop and the racing to start and on a wet and windy Saturday morning the Clubman class was first to tackle the soft Skeggy sand,with Oliver Benton leading the charge to dune number one.
However, by the end of a tough opening lap he had been overhauled by John Robson, James Wainwright, Jack Camwell, Sean Wainwright and Daniel Wright.
By lap three talented 17-year-old Wainwright hit the front while Benton was back up to third.
Five circuits later Benton was up to second, chasing Wainwright and setting a great pace the teenage aces ripped up the sand, both completing a total of 17 laps in the 90-minute contest.
At the flag it was victory for a delighted Wainwright ahead of Benton, Robson, Mitchell Meadows, Callum Green, Mitchell Warhurst and Wright with youngster Green arguably producing the ride of this opening race after coming through from 24th to fifth on a 125cc two-stroke Husqvarna.
The Skeggy Clubman contest is split into four separate classes of Clubman, Clubman Youth, Clubman Veterans 40-49 and Clubman Veterans Over 50, the respective victors were Robson, Wainwright, John Littler and Paul Johnson.
Next up on day one was the Integro Doodson BG Quad and Sidecar contest which ran for a gruelling two hours.
Quad rider Antony Barrett grabbed the holeshot and along with Harry Walker and 2014 Skegness winner Bailey Edwards quickly set a hot pace at the front.
Although Adam Field briefly threatened to gatecrash that party before he dropped right back to 43rd spot, the top three continued to forge ahead, building a big advantage over the chasing pack.
In a super tussle, Walker took control of proceedings for six laps only to be ousted by Barrett, before Edwards finally surged to top spot on lap 15.
From that point on Edwards turned up the gas to blast clear of his rivals and take the win 55 seconds clear of Barrett with Walker third, Harry Miller fourth and Paul Broomhead fifth. Also turning on the style in the entertaining Quad battle were ladies Ameelie Miller and Katie Hodgson who produced brilliant performances to finish in sixth and eighth places respectively.
In the Sidecar class, the pairing of Alun Davies/James Ferguson made the long eight-hour journey from their home in Wales to record their fourth consecutive Skegness victory.
Davies completed a total of 17 laps – three more than runners-up Thomas Mann/Neil Burke and Richard Chandler/Liz Millett in third.
This clash proved eventful for Mann after passenger Burke frantically reported flames appearing under the outfit's seat. Mann coolly responded by driving the machine into the sea to extinguish the fire.
So, on to Sunday and with a £1,000 cheque awaiting the winner of the main three-hour solo contest, a strong field of motocross aces, enduro stars and talented all-round off-road motorcyclists gathered on the line for an 11.30am start.
Riding in his first ever major beach race, Newcastle lad James Hutchinson quickly passed Matt Moffatt to lead the charge with 2014 winner Dan Thornhill, Richard McKeown, Gavin Stevenson and Ryan Staveley also in the frame.
Four laps in and Thornhill's race was already over after he crashed out when his Husqvarna's rear shock failed.
"On the fastest part of the track and going flat out down the straight my rear shock went very soft and spongy,” he said.
"It pitched me off at high speed, causing me to cartwheel down the sand. It had to happen there didn't it!”
Thankfully Dan, although battered and bruised, was able to walk away with just dented pride. At the front, Moffatt was back in control as early pace-setter Hutchinson dropped down to eighth.
Typical though of a frantic opening 20 minutes to any three-hour tussle, the leaderboard constantly changed and as Moffatt disappeared on lap eight due to mechanical gremlins.
It was then young James Wainwright who took a turn to lead the pack, albeit for just one circuit as Hutchinson bounced back again to snatch the No.1 spot.
By lap 12 Hutchinson was joined at the front by team-mate John Robson who had initially gated 11th, while young Benton moved up in style from 18th to third.
McKeown, Staveley, Lewis Meadows and Jack Edmondson were looking strong and still with energy to spare, giving themselves a great chance of being right in the hunt for final honours.
Staveley in particular was on a charge and even moved into third until three laps from home when he lost his place to a very determined Benton.
The latter had taken a major gamble and avoided his last scheduled fuel stop.
So at the finish it was a Newcastle one-two as Hutchinson bagged the win, one lap clear of Robson with Benton third, Staveley fourth and McKeown fifth.
The AMCA boys on duty at Skeggy also performed in style as Luke Meredith took a superb sixth, Meadows eighth, James Wainwright 11th, Scott Bates 14th, Ryan Crowder 15th and Sean Wainwright in 17th the top performers.
This was Crowder's first serious action since badly breaking his shoulder in early June.
Taking victory in the Veterans class on Sunday was Derry Milling ahead of Alex Owen and John Littler.
After racing, a delighted winner Hutchinson explained on the podium: "After finishing 16th in the Maxxis ACU British MX1 Championship I thought I would enter this event for a bit of end of season fun.
"As I've never raced a big beach event before I did not know what to expect and never had any plan of action.
"However after making a good start I knew I was then in with a chance. I loved the event and will definitely be back next year to defend my title.”
Also happy was runner-up Robson who, despite suffering with badly blistered hands, said: "I am really pleased with this weekend. This was my first event after my leg injury.
"Today I could have done with a bigger fuel tank to give me a better chance. James only had to stop twice but I had to go into the pits four times.
"When I return next year, I am definitely going to also have a big tank fitted!”
The 2015 Skeggy sand bash was another massive success with a big entry list and thousands of spectators all watching the racing,free of charge.
And it's a huge vote of thanks to East Linsey District Council and locals of this coastal town who continually offer their total support and hospitality, pulling out all of the stops to ensure an enjoyable, safe and entertaining two-days of action.
Next year's event is on November 5/6 so make sure you are there to sample the unique Skeggy experience.
