2007 The Tough One - Tougher, wetter, better
By TMX Archives on 22nd Jan 07
The weather might have tried it's best to spoil the UK's premier extreme hare scramble event but the '07 running of the WOR Events The Tough One proved to be just as challenging and every bit as exciting as planned.
With David Knight hoping to make it three consecutive wins, up against the best riders in Britain and international stars Anders Eriksson and Kari Tiainen the two-time world enduro champion showed exactly why he is the world's best extreme competitor taking a commanding and well deserved victory ahead of Wayne Braybrook and Paul Edmondson in The Tough One main event.
With the Nantmawr Quarry course revised for '07 to ensure an even tougher track the introduction of the UK's first Speed Trial event into the proceedings proved to be a huge success and a worthy and entertaining addition to the day's entertainment. Facing the exact same track as those competing in The Tough One many of Britain's best trials riders raced non-stop for one-hour in the hope of winning the first event of its kind in the UK.
With '05 and '06 winner of The Tough One David Knight joining the Pro class race without being ‘held back' as in previous years he along with Wayne Braybrook opened up a commanding early lead and eased away from the rest of the Pro class competitors. With the usual mix of adrenaline and rocky hazards resulting in only a handful of riders finishing the opening laps without having parted company with their bikes, as Knight and Braybrook edged further ahead Paul Edmondson and Tom Sagar traded places in third and fourth. As day passed into night the course got tougher and although the order at the front of the Pro class stayed the same all competitors started to suffer. With the finish not coming soon enough for most, as in previous years on reaching the chequered flag all Pro class riders commented how much they'd enjoyed the event.
With clear blue skies having ensured conditions overhead were dry in both '05 and '06 this year things couldn't have been more different. With showers forecast a torrential hail storm less than 30 minutes into the main event ensured conditions were extra tough. But it didn't trouble Knighter as he opened up a sizeable lead to win the event for the third successive year. Wayne Braybrook claimed a solid second while Paul Edmondson joined them in third to make it an all British podium. With close, entertaining and demanding racing action from start to finish the '07 The Tough One delivered everything it promised...and more.
Starting one minute behind the Pro class a full entry of Expert competitors took to the same hazard strewn course with Steve Dustow eventually claiming the win after original Expert class entrant Roland Morris was upgraded and awarded an eighth place Pro class finish having originally topped the Expert class by one full lap. Finishing in second and third in the Expert class were Lincoln Brewster and Gavin Housan.
Once again bringing something new the to UK the WOR Events Speed Trial proved to be a huge success, with all competing enjoying the chance to race around the Nantmawr Quarry circuit for one-hour of bar-to-bar action. Right from the start of the race two riders emerged as probable winners – Gas Gas riders Steve Colley and Wayne Braybrook. Separated by next to nothing in the early laps of the race a big crash saw Wayne drop behind Colley as the Manxman gave everything he had to become the winner of the UK's first WOR Events Speed Trial. Finishing in third after a to-the-flag battle with Alex Wigg was Ben Hemingway. While Colley claimed a deserved victory the ultimate winner was the Speed Trial event itself, which proved extremely popular with riders and spectators alike.
Starting the day's sporting programme was a one-hour Clubman qualifying race. With a large entry of riders all hopeful of making it around the challenging track Paul Sagar emerged as the eventual winner with five laps completed. While many Clubman riders found the going simply too difficult Kevin Harris and Gareth Hopkins rounded out the top three, both one full lap behind race winner Paul Sagar.
WOR Events's Steve Ireland: "Where do I start...Seeing the car park full was great and made all the hard work worth it. The event has grown year on year since it started in '05 and judging by all the great feedback I've had this year's event was without question the best, despite the on and off bad weather.
"The whole day went perfectly, every race started bang on time, with no problems or injuries. We made a big effort to improve on last year's event and I feel we achieved that.
"Having Anders Eriksson and Kari Tiainen agree to come to a WOR Events race, and compete alongside David Knight, was just magic. The three of them were nothing but the professional superstars they are all day, working with them was a pleasure. David's performance was fantastic, absolutely amazing.
"There was such a positive vibe in the quarry that it really did feel like an international event. Trying something new with the Speed Trial is a risk, but I have no doubts that it worked. Riders and spectators enjoyed it and it added to the day's entertainment.
"I'd like to thank each and every one of my WOR Events team for all the work they put in before and during the event, everyone who entered the trials race, the Nantmawr Quarry land owners, Trials & Motocross News for their behind the scenes help, and the companies that supported the event, Michelin, Gas Gas, Motul and Trail Tech, and of course all the spectators for helping to make it such a memorable day.”
Results – WOR Events The Tough One '07
WOR Events The Tough One Pro class
1. David Knight (KTM) 14 laps; 2. Wayne Braybrook (Gas Gas) 14 laps; 3. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 13 laps; 4. Tom Sagar (KTM) 13 laps; 5. Euan McConnell (TM) 13 laps; 6. Paul Bolton (Gas Gas) 12 laps; 7. Edward Jones (KTM) 11 laps; 8. Roland Morris (Gas Gas) 11 laps; 9. Anders Eriksson (Husqvarna) 11 laps; 10. Ady Smith (KTM) 11 laps; 11. Rob Warner (Yamaha) 10 laps; 12. Andy Frost (KTM) 10 laps; 13. Kari Tiainen (KTM) 10 laps; 14. Greg Evans (KTM) 10 laps; 15. Si Wakely (Husqvarna) 10 laps; 16. Shane Careless (unknown) 9 laps; 17. Justin Wilson (Honda) 9 laps; 18. Stevie Roper (KTM) 9 laps; 19. Dylan Jones (Yamaha) 9 laps; 20. Rowan Jones (Yamaha) 9 laps; 21. Andrew Edwards (KTM) 9 laps; 22. Carl Tiley (TM) 8 laps; 23. Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 7 laps
WOR Events The Tough One Expert class
1. Steve Dustow (KTM) 10 laps; 2. Lincoln Brewster (Gas Gas) 9 laps; 3. Gavin Housan (Husqvarna) 8 laps; 4. Shane Lewis (Gas Gas) 8 laps; 5. John Pearson (KTM) 8 laps; 6. Wayne Mundell (KTM) 8 laps; 7. Rich Warner (KTM) 8 laps; 8. Ed McIntosh (Husqvarna) 8 laps; 9. Gary Benningham (Gas Gas) 7 laps; 10. Aled Evans (Beta) 7 laps; 11. Jason Crossland (Honda) 7 laps; 12. Martyn Lewis (KTM) 7 laps; 13. Geoff Walker (KTM) 7 laps; 14. Pete Bulley (Honda) 6 laps; 15. Grant Smith (unknown) 6 laps; 16. Crawford C Anderson (KTM) 6 laps; 17. Andy Mitchell (KTM) 5 laps; 18. Ian Barnett (KTM) 5 laps; 19. Carl McLlroy (Yamaha) 5 laps; 20. Si Thomas (Suzuki) 5 laps; 21. Chris Salt (KTM) 4 laps; 22. Brad King (Kawasaki) 4 laps; 23. Anthony Sutton (KTM) 4 laps; 24. Steve Davies (KTM) 4 laps; 25. Chris Roberts (KTM) 4 laps; 26. Nick Plumb (KTM) 4 laps; 27. Colin McNee (KTM) 4 laps; 28. Alan Hopwood (KTM) 3 laps
WOR Events Speed Trial class
1. Steve Colley (Gas Gas) 8 laps; 2. Wayne Braybrook (Gas Gas) 8 laps; 3. Ben Hemingway (Beta) 8 laps; 4. Alex Wigg (Gas Gas) 8 laps; 5. Dan Hemingway (Beta) 8 laps; 6. Michael Phillipson (Beta) 8 laps; 7. Ian Austermule (Beta) 8 laps; 8. Ross Danby (Gas Gas) 7 laps; 9. Jack Challinor (Beta) 7 laps; 10. Craig Robinson (Gas Gas) 7 laps; 11. Adrian Harry (Beta) 7 laps; 12. Aran Drachenberg (Beta) 6 laps; 13. Richard Elwood (Sherco) 6 laps; 14. Thomas Hick (Sherco) 6 laps; 15. Gary Jenkins (Sherco) 6 laps; 16. Paul Smart (Montesa) 6 laps; 17. Harry Harvey (Gas Gas); 18. Becky Cook (Gas Gas) 4 laps
Trail Tech Clubman Qualifier class
1. Paul Sagar (KTM) 5 laps; 2. Kevin Harris (KTM) 4 laps; 3. Gareth Hopkins (KTM) 4 laps; 4. Damien Butler (KTM) 4 laps; 5. Carl Gerrard (KTM) 6. Craig Reynolds (Gas Gas) 4 laps; 7. Steve Martin (KTM) 8. Carl Webster (KTM) 3 laps; 9. Mark Woodfine (KTM) 10. Dave Wood (KTM) 3 laps; 11. Mick Hammond (Yamaha) 3 laps; 12. Greg Hodge (KTM) 3 laps; 13. Stephen Barnett (Gas Gas) 3 laps; 14. Rob Edwards (KTM) 3 laps; 15. Myles Harris (Honda) 2 laps; 16. Mark Cheetham (Husaberg) 2 laps; 17. Justin Vaughan (KTM) 2 laps; 18. Dave Salkeld (Honda) 2 laps; 19. Dan Lawry (KTM) 2 laps; 20. Harry Hillas (KTM) 2 laps; 21. Roger Marley (KTM) 2 laps; 22. Paul Mitchel (Gas Gas) 2 laps; 23. Des Cowley (Sherco) 1 laps; 24. Marcus Perie (TM) 1 lap