Jack takes the Mountain
By TMX Archives on 16th Apr 08
SATURDAY marked the return of a Junior specific Hare Scramble series to the already busy WOR Events schedule. American exhaust manufacturer, FMF, is sponsoring this series and is offering some great prizes at the conclusion of the six-rounds.
Good weather and conditions greeted riders and their families and a perfect 3.4-mile circuit was laid out ready for them, including all the best flowing bits of the coastline venue at Robins Mountain, Abergele.
The Junior 65cc class did a slightly shorter lap than the bigger bikes, to keep the youngsters away from the deep man-made lakes that this venue has in abundance.
Jack Edmondson, eldest son of World Enduro legend Paul ‘Fast Eddy' Edmondson was simply unstoppable in this group and led from start-to-finish with a style and determination very similar to his father and proving that the genes in that family have been passed on. Runner-up in Junior 65cc was Joe Smith and third went to Brad Edwards, both a lap down on Edmondson.
There are two 85cc groups – one for Big-wheel and one for Small-wheel. Joe Wootton topped Big-wheel 85cc, once again riding his bike with a maturity and style well beyond his years. Joe was nearly 3.5-minutes clear of his rivals come the end of the 105-minute event. Simon Jones, son of WOR stalwart, Neil, was a fully deserved silver medallist, with hard charging Sophie Thomas in third, just eight-seconds behind Jones. Sophie is one of the best female riders out there and she also deserves a special mention for the riding technique and effort that she displays whilst keeping the throttle pinned on her little Kawasaki. Sophie's younger brother, Dominic, made the long journey from Devon well worthwhile with a convincing five-minute cushion over second placed Charlie Nichols in Small-wheel 85cc. Third went to Dan Bewlay who completed a spirited nine-laps.
Top honours in Youth 150cc went to strong Welshman, Gethin Humphries, who managed to sneak in a lap more than runner-up, Adam Barratt, and third placed Huw Jones. To be fair, these three riders were really on the pace and looked like seasoned pros as they negotiated the fantastic flowing circuit with all the skill and speed of Adult Experts.
As the chequered flag came out at the end and the youngsters were awarded their finishing medals the heavens opened and the rain came down with such menace that the presentation had to be done under a awning, but the wet stuff could not effect the grinning youngsters as this series had just got off to a cracking start.
With no injuries and a super safe circuit the kids and parents alike had had a very enjoyable day and were keen to secure their places in the second round on May 10.
FMF JUNIOR HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES
Rd 1 – Robins Mountain, Abergele (WOR Events)
Junior 65cc: 1 Jack Edmondson 12 laps - 3:01 time penalties, 2 Joe Smith 11 - 1:41, 3 Brad Edwards 11 - 6:23, 4 Jack Fewings 10 - 0:07, 5 Lewie Steen 10 - 4:17, 6 Ross Davies 10 - 10:36.
Small-Wheel 85cc: 1 Dominic Thomas 10 - 4:40, 2 Charlie Nichols 10 - 9:52, 3 Dan Bewlay 9 - 13:09, 4 Harrison Bell 8 - 8:43, 5 Glesni Non Jones 6 - 5:28, 6 Thomas Watson 5 - 4:25.
Big-Wheel 85cc: 1 Joe Wootton 10 - 0:29, 2 Simon Jones 10 - 3:55, 3 Sophie Thomas 10 - 4:03, 4 Jack Colley 9 - 0:09, 5 Bryn Phillips 9 - 6:53, 6 Richard Bleasdale 8 - 4:21.
Youth 150cc: 1 Gethin Humphries 11 - 7:47, 2 Adam Barratt 10 - 1:26, 3 Huw Jones 10 - 1:51, 4 Josh Parry 10 - 4:42, 5 Morgan Lewis 10 - 7:15, 6 Owain Davies 10 - 7:39.
For full pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, April 18, 2008