Sam's the man at Norwood
By TMX Archives on 14th Apr 10
Rideoffroaduk kick-started the new ACU Events Ltd-sponsored three-round X-Country series into life on Sunday with a fantastic turnout of riders.
Norwood Teversal woodland was in the best possible condition, riders praised the organization after the event for yet again providing another new interesting track to compete on.
With the event tailored towards Sportsman and Vet riders, the morning action was set in motion by Wayne Braybrook and his team at 10am. With an average lap time of around ten minutes per lap, the recipe was just right as riders were stretched out over the woodland course.
Rideoffroaduk regular, Pete Middleton, led the Sportsman class around lap one, setting an awesome pace. He was followed by Alex Clegg, Shane Marriot and Luke Copestake, out on his new 300 Sherco for the first time ever.
As the event progressed riders switched places during pit stops and went bar-to-bar on the course in some healthy competition.
The addition of an updated timing system saw riders using the timing screen to good use during scheduled pit stops or to simply pace themselves during the event.
At the finish flag, Sam Warren took the win, and although not eligible for series points, he just used the event for off-road training.
Second on the day was Mike Slater, who scooped maximum points and goes into round two with the advantage. Middleton used his usual smooth consistency to net the final podium place on the day.
With around ten riders queuing up behind the podium finishers, this series is shaping up to provide some red-hot competition in the most heavily supported classes. Only three riders failed to finish – due to mechanical issues – so the rideoffroaduk team is more than pleased with the suitability of the course
ACU Events Ltd X-Country series
Rd 1 – Norwood, Teversal, Notts (rideoffroaduk)
MORNING RACE
Ladies: 1 Anna Myers 12 laps - 4:36 time penalties, 2 Jade Gordon 12 - 6:36, 3 Helen Lang 11 - 2:43, 4 Emily Davey 11 - 4:43, 5 Jayne Tudhope 11 - 7:13, 6 Tara Johnson 10 - 0:48.
Over 50: 1 Steve Burton 14 - 4:45, 2 Chris Gregory 14 - 6:16, 3 Mark Wardlingley 13 - 0:54, 4 Chris Edge 13 - 3:33, 5 Stewart Bunton 13 - 9:37, 6 Andrew Cooper 12 - 4:59.
Sportsman: 1 Sam Warren 16 - 6:08, 2 Mike Slater 15 - 1:57, 3 Pete Middleton 15 - 2:47, 4 Shane Marriott 15 - 4:25, 5 Alex Clegg 15 - 4:41, 6 Luke Copestake 15 - 4:48.
AFTERNOON RACE
Clubman: 1 Declan Helliwell 21 - 3:09 time penalties, 2 Joe Severn 21 - 4:52, 3 Oliver Cooper 21 - 5:37, 4 Adam Taylor 21 - 6:55, 5 Steve Watson 21 - 7:24, 6 Richard Graham 20 - 0:16.
Expert: 1 Lewis Belfield 23 - 0:58, 2 Tom Healey 23 - 2:51, 3 Lincoln Brewster 23 - 3:28, 4 Lee Sampson 22 - 2:43, 5 Scott Austin 21 - 1:38, 6 Ben Hamilton 21 - 2:27.
Over 40: 1 Peter Archer 20 - 0:53, 2 Stuart Cryer 20 - 6:45, 3 Shaun Woffinden 19 - 1:48, 4 Eddie Tait 19 - 6:52, 5 Duncan Thomson 18 - 3:32, 6 Glen Heslop 18 - 4:28.
FOR FULL REPORT SEE T+MX NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010