Hewitt gets a Matt finish
By TMX Archives on 3rd Dec 10
Even in the best conditions, competing in a three-hour Hare and Hounds event can be a serious challenge for both man and machine.
Add in a frozen ground covered with a light sprinkling of snow and sub-zero temperatures, it suddenly becomes a major test of not only a rider's ability, but also their mental strength and determination.
Those were the conditions which greeted competitors for the final round of the Hewitt National XC Series at Ford, near Chippenham, Wilts, on Sunday.
Based at the same venue as the AMCA motocross circuit, Midwest MCC officials did their very best to plot a route predominantly on virgin going.
Their thoughtful planning ensured that large parts of the low-lying areas still produced some grip – although at the points where the old motocross circuit had to be used it was very slippery and required careful throttle control!
Negotiating a very tricky first lap, Jeremy Box led the Expert charge from Matt Ridgway, Tyson Maytom-Jones and Dave Nuttall.
Over the next two circuits Midwest Husaberg rider Maytom-Jones took control before the race leadership changed yet again as Ridgway then moved into pole position.
From then on Ridgway dictated proceedings all the way to the chequered flag, completing 30-laps in the process.
HEWITT NATIONAL X-COUNTRY SERIES
Rd 7 (Final) – Toplands Farm, Ford, near Chippenham, Wilts (Midwest MCC)
EXPERT: 1 Matt Ridgway, 2 James Jackman, 3 Darren Wheeler, 4 Tyson Maytom-Jones, 5 Jeremy Box, 6 Dave Nuttall.
VETERAN EXPERT: 1 Jack Twentyman 2 Marcus Barnes, 3 Chris Nunn, 4 Tony Hobbs, 5 Andy Howes, 6 Dave Potts.
CLUBMAN 2T: 1 Mark Hamblin 2 Donovan Pearce, 3 Arran Wells, 4 Dane Palmer, 5 Heiko, 6 Simon Prideaux.
CLUBMAN, 4T: 1 Daniel Price 2 Jez Dance, 3 Alex Taylor, 4 Stuart Davy, 5 Andrew Wells, 6 Lewis Oregan.
VETERAN: 1 Simon Bailey 2 Terry Hoskins, 3 Morris Gooding, 4 Darren Jones, 5 Simon Woolls, 6 Roy Andrews.
SPORTSMAN 2T: 1 Sam Hoskins 2 Blaine Blackwell, 3 Mike Owen, 4 Chris Stevens, 5 Dave Fleet-Chapman, 6 David Pilgrim.
SPORTSMAN, 4T: 1 Miciej Berdysz 2 Kevin Park, 3 Shaun Street, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Callum Collins, 6 Steve Curtis.