A 'worthy day for Scott
By TMX Archives on 16th Jul 08
AFTER the monsoon-like conditions of 2007, Terry and Maggie Challinor ordered some decent weather for the 2008 Hawkstone Classic weekend. The Bunny Ward Trophy Trial (reported elsewhere in this issue) kicked off the proceedings at mid-day on Saturday. Then on Sunday, with cloudy conditions giving way to warm Summer sunshine (remember sunshine?), an entry of 150-plus slotted into top gear for the Hawkstone Classic Scramble.
Now arguably one of the best, if not the best fixture in the classic calendar, the Hawkstone Scramble always attracts a big entry and this year, despite these cash-strapped times, was no exception. The name Hawkstone Park acts like a magnet to this mecca of motocross. And once again the programme included the Brian Nadin Memorial Challenge trophy (for Metisse and Pre-Unit) and the third round of ‘The Classic MotorCycle' British Classic Scrambles championship.
Both events featured some fine racing with Dave Bell proving supreme in the former, with Andy Roberton and Scott Hayworth sharing the honours in the latter.
The first British championship race opened the meeting with a star-studded field of 28 roaring into the wooded tunnel in a crescendo of noise and dust. When they emerged from the sandpits it was Carl Pope leading with Andy Roberton, Scott Hayworth and series leader, Adrian Cox, in line astern with Richard White and that young dynamo, Tim Dallaway, bringing up the rear.
Carl led for five of the ten lap race before Andy Roberton took over for the next five to secure a famous victory. But behind Andy all manner of drama was unfolding. Scott Hayworth had slipped back to 16th place and Paul Lippitt - 14th on lap two - was beginning to climb back into contention. By lap seven Paul was up to fifth place and Scott to sixth spot.
But the real drama was yet to come. With these two closing relentlessly on the leaders it all went pear-shaped for Adrian Cox and Carl Pope on the last of the ten laps. Adrian dropped a valve on his 350 and was forced to push the bike, uphill and down, for the best part of 150 yards in deep, rutted sand before he crossed the finish line completely exhausted, and Carl did likewise when his bike stopped in sight of the finish with ignition problems. Bad news for them but good news for Scott Hayworth. Dave Bell and Paul Lippitt who all benefitted from the misfortune.
Three hours later the championship runners had to do it all again. Once again Carl Pope got off to a cracking start to lead for three laps before Scott Hayworth took over, passing both Carl and Andy Roberton in a slick manoeuvre not unlike his Bonanza success. Ady Cox, still suffering from his earlier efforts, and now riding his 500, was fourth after passing Paul Lippitt.
The Brian Nadin Memorial was a personal triumph for previous winner Dave Bell. Disappointed last year when the race was cancelled because of the weather, he made no mistakes this year winning all three legs from a quality field that included Steve Breen, Dave Cooper, Tim Manton and Dave Roper. Unfortunately, Terry Challinor who broke a footrest, and Phil Edwards nursing multiple bruises from a crash in the first championship race were unable to prevent a convincing win by ‘Bristolian' Bell on the Alan Brown Jawa Metisse.
Both Pre-74 classes were well supported with an outstandingly consistent Keith Best winning both. A win and two second places were good enough to give him the nod over Honda mounted John Price in the up to 250cc class, while a similar combination of places was enough to guarantee him top spot on the podium in the Over 250cc class, despite some rapid lappery from CCM mounted Gary Parker, who won legs two and three but failed to score in leg one.
Elsewhere, the Pre-68 over 350cc class went to Andy Roberton who posted two wins and a second. And Steve Gagg grabbed the Pre-60 class from out of Dave Bell's clutches where the latter took a nasty tumble in the third leg which relegated him to third overall. Unsurprisingly, Tim Dallaway was top dog of a big 350cc contingent which was combined with the poorly supported Pre-60 class.
‘The Classic MotorCycle' British Classic Scrambles Championship
Hawkstone Classic (Shropshire Classic MCC)
Provisional Results
Race One: 1 Andy Roberton (500 Cheney BSA), 2 Scott Hayworth (500 Chgeney BSA), 3 Dave Bell (500 ABS Jawa Metisse), 4 Paul Lippitt (441 BSA Victor), 5 Dave Cooper (650 Triumph Metisse), 6 Adrian Cox (350 Cheney BSA)(, 7 Carl Pope (500 Cheney BSA), 8 Ady Matthews (650 Triumph Metisse).
Race Two: 1 Scott Hayworth, 2 Andy Roberton (420 Cheney BSA), 3 Carl Pope, 4 Adrian Cox (500 Cheney BSA), 5 Paul Lippitt, 6 Tim Dallaway (350 BSA), 7 Dave Bell, 8 Steve Breen (750 Triumph Wasp).
SERIES standings after 3 rounds: 1 Adrian Cox 101 points, 2 Andy Roberton 89, 3 Carl Pope 80, 4 Scott Hayworth 74, 5 Paul Lippitt 67, 6 Dave Bell 62.
Brian Nadin Memorial Challenge Trophy: 1 Dave Bell (500 ABS Jawa Metisse), 2 Dave Cooper (650 Triumph Metisse), 3 Tim Manton (500 Jawa Wasp), 4 Dave Roper (500 Triumph Metisse), 5 Ady Matthews (650 Triumph Metisse), 6 Roger Dunford (500 Jawa Metisse).
Pre-74 up to 250cc: 1 Keith Best (250 Bultaco), 2 John Price (250 Honda), 3 Paul Owen (250 Bultaco).
Pre-74 over 250cc: 1 Keith Best (360 Bultaco), 2 Phil Roberts (360 CZ), 3 Gary Parker (500 CCM).
Pre-68 over 350cc: 1 Andy Roberton (420 Cheney BSA), 2 Josh Cash (475 BSA Victor), 3 Scott Hayworth (500 Cheney BSA).
Pre-60: 1 Steve Gagg (650 Tribsa), 2 Mike Evans (650 Tribsa), 3 Dave Bell (650 ABS Tribsa).
Pre-68 up to 350cc: 1 Tim Dallaway (350 BSA), 2 Ian Bain (340 Greeves), 3 Darren Jukes (350 BSA).
Allcomers: 1 Carl Pope, 2 Andy Roberton, 3 John Littler (380 CZ), 4 Paul Owen (250 Bultaco), 5 Dave Fisher (250 Honda), 6 Roger Dunford (500 Jawa Metisse).