Report: RAW Enduro Challenge Series
By TMX Archives on 17th Aug 16
The final round of the RAW Challenge Series was held at the superb Driffield MOD training area in east Yorkshire, a return to the long lap saw average lap times around 15-mins which was perfect for the gruelling 6-hour event. This was the final test for competitors wanting to scratch their name on the first running of this popular combination of events.
The brainchild of Wayne Braybrook, who wanted to create something which, until now hasn't been done, was to have a series of events which got gradually harder in race distance, four, five and six hours in the saddle to see who had the character to survive.
At precisely 10.30am the packed start line was unleashed on to one of Driffield's gravel roads once used for MOD truck testing. This filtered riders into the first large woodland. Ben Hamilton got off the line first to lead the Expert pack away with series leader Brad Lilburn, Alex Owen and Damo Butler jostling for positions.
Clubman holeshot bragging rights went to Ian Shannon partnering his son Doltan. Wayne Braybrook forgot to tell Shannon Snr that the bike he was using for the event had MX engine settings. The words: "I've never started so fast in all my life,” were ringing around the pits at the first team handover.
The objective of the event is solos simply tough it out for six hours straight, two-man teams are run relay style, so one rider clocks up the laps and they can switch over in a ‘team change' area as many times as they like. Some teams opt for an hour each, others do a set number of laps. Strategy is everything as riders try match other teams decisions F1 style.
Brad Lilburn rode a superb race, pushing hard to lead around lap one, and worked hard to maintain his lead over the six-hours. Alex Owen was always there and as ever grinding away ready to pounce if Lilburn had any problems.
Damo Butler had an early bath due to an injury sustained the day before the race. This left Phil Hancock to take third overall at the flag. Lilburn definitely earned his stripes in this series taking three wins from three starts. Alex Owen stepped up to take second place overall despite being a Veteran rider.
Finding his enduro feet more every time he races, Ben Hamilton will feature much more in 2017. Heand his MX team mate, David Rushton, completed 28 laps in the six-hours to take the Expert team class win. John Bradford and Anthony tempest were delighted to take the overall Expert Team class series win, despite them thinking they had no chance at R1. In the fiercely contested Clubman Solo class. It was a last round showdown between Kris Weston and Marc Vardy for the win going into this final race. Weston was on fire from the get go, with Vardy still nursing a knee injury it was always going to be a tough six-hours one up.
Weston took the win with Vardy placing second. A tie on points resulted in Kris Weston taking the series win by virtue of the final race result.
Paul Daley Smith is a self confessed lover of hard enduro events, and posted a great third place and in doing so claimed third overall in the series.
Clubman team class riders were at it hammer and tongs for the duration. Danny Kidd and Luke Knight just held on to take the win from the young guns Dom Richardson and James Gamble, Dom and Jimmy gave everything on the day to try to win. Second on the day and third in the series was a good result.
Doltan and Ian Shannon have loved the father/ son banter, and a solid third on the day gave them second overall in a competitive class.
Veteran Solo honours went to Andy Cooke, who was kept on his toes by Martyn Thomas, who earned his best finish of the year to date.
Shane Marriott showed grit and determination to take third place on the day and a well deserved second in the series.
In the Veteran team class a winner takes all final race saw Neil Myers and John Leith kick the ball out of reach taking the overall series with second on the day. Steven Dean and Andy Kirby threw everything at the last race to try take the series, but it just wasn't to be.
Huge Respect to the Novice Solo riders, Jack Webster Owen used his youth and dexterity to take the final race win and the series overall. Runner-up in the series went to Garry Peacock after a monumental effort at the final round. This meant he took second overall for his efforts.
Daren Girvan and his team-mate, Josh Dunn, won the Novice team class overall, and Nick Whitehead and Tony Adams bagged the Sportsman team overall honours.
Track conditions on the day considering it was six hours continuous riding stayed pretty good – yes the course did get rough in places, which tested riders ability to find smooth lines. All in all Driffield provided the perfect venue to stage this final series race.
