Report: UK Evo MX Series
By Mike Wood on 25th May 16
Affiliated to the AMCA, the newly formed UK Evo MX Club is working hard to fly the Evo flag down in the West Country. On the evidence so far from its two opening meetings in a mini-four round series, the organising team is doing a truly cracking job.
Sunday's action was held at Ford, near Chippenham, again attracted a fantastic 250-strong entry and was another massive success.
Despite steady rain falling until the early hours of Sunday morning, the Ford track was in surprisingly good condition come race time.
A cracker opened up proceedings as 25 rapid 125cc Evo pilots went into action. In that first moto, Kevin Sanders, Robert Bull, Jack Gribble and Bradley Doyle hotly disputed the lead with Gribble eventually coming through to take the win just two laps from home.
In moto two it was a hard charging Doyle who took the win before Gribble bounced back in style for victory in the last encounter and he also topped the overall standings.
If the Evo 125cc clash was a competitive affair, by contrast there was to be no dispute as to who was boss in the Open Veteran Over 45 Evo group as former Grand Prix competitor and top ACU British Championship contender, Brian Wheeler, strolled to three untroubled wins. On each occasion, Gary Henson chased him home as Sean Doyle did enough with a 5-3-3 card to secure third overall.
On paper, one of the most unpredictable groups looked like being the Super Evo class which pitched 125, 250 and 500cc riders together in one all-out contest. Repeatedly Chris McGill on a 250 Honda grabbed the holeshot only to be pushed back. McGill eventually had to settle for third overall as Aston Illsley came through to bag all three moto wins. Taking second overall was Gary Jones, although Jamie Cooper could and probably should have also been in podium contention. Missing from moto one, he then went 2-3, which still earned him ninth overall.
Just like the Super Evo, there was an variety of machines and rider ages in the combined Evo 250/500cc and Twin-shock Open class. With some 33 riders coming under starter's orders, Martin Izzard on a 250 Honda won the first two clashes from Wayne Butt, before the roles were reversed in the final moto. In that one, Butt was first past the flag from Izzard, Ryan Harris and eventual third overall finisher, Ayrton Forenzio.
Not to be outdone by the highly competitive Evo 125cc contest, the Partridge Ventilation Pre-83 125cc class also produced some stunning action on the fast circuit.
Anthony Twidle took all three race wins but was made to work hard by Jake Chamberlain and Rob Mead. Indeed Mead's pass on Chamberlain on the final turn of moto two when he dived underneath him and barged him aside was just typical of the racing served up by these competitors, who had the throttle wire stretched to the limit most of the day.
Sunday's meeting also included two classes for West Midlands Evo riders.
In the Pre-85 125/250cc group, Jim Shand won the first and last motos but after only managing a tenth place finish in the second clash he had to settle for third overall. Taking top honours was Dean Warren with Kelvin Tatum second.
Over in the West Midlands Pre-85 500cc Open group, Jason Aylett was in terrific form as he scorched to three wins with Kevin Reed chasing him home on each occasion. After earlier competing in the Partridge Pre-83 125cc class, Jake Chamberlain jumped aboard his 490 Yamaha to also take third overall in this West Midlands Pre-85 500cc bash.
Completing the entertaining racing was a modern Two-stroke contest, which saw Luke Smith scorch to all three moto wins chased by Ben Haggerty-Marks and Olly Toms.
Well done again to the organising UK Evo MX Club and many thanks to the event sponsors Fern Plant Hire.
