Down to the Wyre...
By TMX Archives on 12th Feb 09
THE third and final round of the Wyre Forest Off-Road Winter Series ran in glorious sunshine on Saturday, and saw a great turnout with plenty of first-timers taking to the line for all three races.Coney Green Farm is an excellent venue, so much so that the opening round of the GBXC Series kicks off there in March, for both experienced riders and newbies, offering plenty of varied terrain around the five-mile loop.The going was a little soft on top and snow covered much of the field sections but it was ride-able as the youngster proved The WFOR events really are for all the family and are well supported, have lots of marshals and one of the safest series of events for youngster from the age of eight upwards.
The first race of the day saw the Kids 50cc Auto's take to a short but manageable course with lap times of around six minutes. Ryan Rowlands and Archie Hicks led the field throughout the race, but it was Rowlands who stretched a gap to take the win ahead of Hicks, both on nine laps.
Liam Garbett pulled a great hole-shot in 125cc class, for the second race of the day but a trip over the handlebars followed by a very heavy landing on his shoulder saw him pit for a long period to recover. He eventually returned to the course to marshal, very carefully.
The 125cc riders had the option of a hard but short route, or slightly longer easy route on the technical uphill section leading to the more open fields at the top of the course. Nathan Holtby took control and over a much extended course of nearly five miles, banged in nine laps to take the class win by a lap over Joe Wootton.
Wootton was just 18 seconds short of going for his ninth lap at the time check. Joe Deakin followed Wootton home in third just over a minute down, as Luke Smith took fourth.
The top three in Youth 85cc Over 13 class were virtually inseparable throughout the entire length of the race, but in the dying stages Jon Hill stretched out a two minute lead to take the class win ahead of Andrew Bull second, and Jack Powell third.
The 85cc Under 13's had a clear winner in Oli Benton who gained a lap on all his rivals to take the class with ease on seven laps. Katie Walker took a comfortable second place ahead of Adam James in third as Luke Rudd cruised home in fourth.
Jack Law lead the 65cc class home. Five minutes clear of Mitch Warhurst in second, Law had a terrific ride in difficult conditions and thoroughly deserved his win. Brad Sullivan was the only other six-lapper in the class in third spot as Dean Edwards fourth and Matt Leedham fifth.
A large field of quads saw the Blasters first of the line in race three. Scott Linley and Jak Griffiths lead the group and matched each other lap for lap but Linley built a significant lead of over five minutes to eventually take the win over Griffiths.
Ameelie Miller was just in touch with the leading two riders for most of the race and took a well deserved third place ahead of some tough competition.
Harry Miller finished a lap ahead of closest rival Marloe Magee in Auto Quad Over 10. Philip Mackenzie-Smith pushed hard towards the race end to take third place.
It was a challenging course for the Auto quads and in the Under 10 class. Only three of the six starters finished. All three completed three laps but it was Matty Morris who took the win ahead of Brad Cockrem and Max Allen.
The sunshine lifted the mood of the event and certainly helped the track improve in places, although it was in pretty good shape to start with.
Considering this was a Youth event, with a lap of around five miles,something many adult competitions rarely see it was quite a challenge but one that was bravely met by all who entered.
Well done to Rob Garbett and the Wyre Forest Off road team for an excellent event, well run, well organised and very well marshalled.
WYRE FOREST OFF-ROAD WINTER SERIES
Rd 3 - Coney Green Farm
SOLOS
AUTO 50cc: 1 Ryan Rowlands, 2 Archie Hicks, 3 Harry Smith.
Junior 65cc: 1 Jack Law, 2 Mitchell Warhurst, 3 Brad Sullivan.
YOUTH 85cc Under 13: 1 Jon Hill, 2 Andrew Bull, 3 Jack Powell.
YOUTH 85cc Over 13: 1 Oli Benton, 2 Katie Walker, 3 Adam James.
YOUTH 125cc: 1 Nathan Holtby, 2 Joe Wootton, 3 Joe Deakin.
Quads
Blasters: 1 Scott Linley, 2 Jak Griffiths, 3 Aimeelie Miller.
Auto Quad Over 10: 1 Harry Miller, 2 Marloe Magee, 3 Philip Mackenzie-Smith.
Auto Quad Under 10: 1 Matty Morrisd, 2 Brad Cockrem, 3 Max Allen.