Reynolds is a Sport
By TMX Archives on 2nd Jan 09
ROUND two of the RideOffRoadUK Winter Series took place on Sunday, December 21, in near perfect weather conditions. The event was very well supported by regular riders with the highest number of newcomers attending. With its events now established as some of best organised in the North of England, many riders are now making the change to RideOffRoad. With all the riders signed-on and bikes on the line before the official start time, clerk of the course, Wayne Braybrook, conducted the pre-event rider briefing.
After some riders, new to Hare and Hounds, caused problems at the first winter series event by course cutting, the entry was informed of the new track marking system and the penalties should anyone not stick to the marked course. It was simple, any course cutting would result in instant exclusion. The clerk of the course was armed with a black flag should it be required. Then it was on to the start line for the riders to begin the event.
As usual the Experts were first away and onto the ultra-fast field section. With the track in reverse direction for this the final visit to Fat Cat Moto Park, the idea was to allow riders to string out and avoid bunching up in the early stages of the lap. It worked perfectly and as intended.
First through lap scoring at the end of lap one after his usual cautious start was the mighty fast Harry Hillas. Back on form, Harry was in no mood to let anyone spoil his Winter Series campaign. He was unchallenged all day and showed great maturity and discipline during the race to take a very controlled victory, one-lap up on the entire Expert field. Second Expert was Shaun Wigan, who proved determination was the key to getting a good result. Rounding out the podium was regular Damian Butler, who again made the long journey from Lancashire. Only an unscheduled mid-race exhaust change kept him from doing battle with the two front-runners.
The Over 40 category was once again won by the impressive Ian Shannon, who seems to have made the class his own and has shown that he will be very competitive in the Expert ranks should he make the move in 2009. Second was Darren Purdy, whose KTM had no rest and his consistent lap times earned him a good result. Simon Bastow who only narrowly missed out on an extra lap, going through lap scoring 54-seconds after the flag, filled the final podium place.
The super competitive Clubman class was shaken up on the day with two regular runners having some new lightning fast newcomers to deal with. Stuart Mowbrey was the top of the Clubman class notching up 16-laps and is a sure fire Expert rider for the 2009 Championship season when it kicks off in March.
Robert Minnitt took second place with a 14-lap tally. After a small mechanical problem half-way through the race cost him vital minutes Andrew Hornshaw ended up as third Clubman. Andrew was on a mission trying to get back to the sharp end of the class and at the flag he missed second place by a mere nine-seconds showing that Hare and Hounds events are always won and lost during the final half-hour. Andrew now heads the winter series going into round three, ahead of his closest rival Lee Smith, who didn't have his best day at round two. Getting stuck on the motocross water-splash section cost him time although his fourth place adds to his points tally, keeping his series ambitions well and truly alive.
Once again the backbone, the Sportsman class had the regulars scratching their heads as some ever improving riders edged to the front of this popular class. Mick Reynolds took his second victory of the winter series clocking up 13-laps in two-hours. He now seems to be odds on to take a well-deserved Winter Series victory. Tim Miller earned second on the day, and was another rider who only just missed out on getting an extra lap in which would have put him on the same 13-lap tally as the class winner. Third went top Lee Pallett on 12-laps.
RESULTS
Expert: 1 Harry Hillas 17 - 7:13, 2 Shaun Wigan 16 - 6:40, 3 Damian Butler 16 - 7:17, 4 Chay Granby 15 - 7:51, 5 Matt Gordon 14 - 0:15, 6 Phil Hancock 14 - 3:27.
Over 40: 1 Ian Shannon 15 - 5:26, 2 Darren Purdy 13 - 6:31, 3 Simon Bastow 12 - 0:54, 4 Simon Nutter 12 - 6:51, 5 Brian Roper 11 - 2:39, 6 Adrian Barker 11 - 3:13.
Clubman: 1 Stuart Mowbray 16 - 7:25, 2 Robert Minnitt 14 - 2:17, 3 Andrew Hornshaw 14 - 2:26, 4 Lee Smith 14 - 4:03, 5 Lee Hattersley 14 - 4:20, 6 Noel Joyce 14 - 6:09.
Sportsman: 1 Mick Reynolds 13 - 5:32, 2 Tim Miller 12 - 1:47, 3 Lee Pallett 12 - 2:28, 4 John Butterworth 12 - 4:08, 5 Ryan Armitage 12 - 4:45, 6 William Hillas 12 - 6:18.