Rich's super Market sweep
By TMX Archives on 8th Jun 07
Ollerton track must be one of the AMCA's best-kept secrets. It is a hidden gem - compact but very high quality. The tight twisty layout challenges all, yet is easily rideable from Inters to Experts. One table-top, four ski jumps and a rhythm section made for some interesting displays.
Although the elongated paddock is a bit of a walk from the track, the course itself is well worth the trek, with an excellent overview for spectators. Checking the results from Sunday it is interesting to note that only one rider took all three class wins - Rich Roberts in Junior Unlimited Group A. This gives a good indication of just how competitive the track is and, for once, the 4T bikes had no real advantage - the races were down to skill, not power.
Road, Land and Sea of Shrewsbury sponsored the event and virtually every gate was full. There was a twist in the tail as Market Drayton organised a Junior Superclass' race at the end of the day for the top ten riders from the Junior Under 17, Group A and Group B. It was a winner-take-all arrangement and following a hard day of racing Wirral's Mark Bill took the honours as Junior Superclass champ.
The Shrewsbury dealership had the new TM 144 on display and veteran rider, Pat Crump, used it in Expert Open, holding first place until the final lap of the opening moto where Wes Egan caught him. Crump's ability is without question but he hasn't ridden for a while and the years are creeping up on him but the out-of-the-crate' TM surprised quite a few, a 144cc two-stroke competing against 450cc thumpers - and holding its own. Egan went on to win the class overall as Steve Badderley chased him hard in second spot. GJ Williams won the final race to jump up to third overall in a very competitive class.
North Wales/ North Shropshire Group MX
Ollerton (Market Drayton MCC (AMCA))
Expert Open: 1 Wes Egan, 2 Steve Badderley, 3 GJ Williams.
Expert 125cc: 1 Shaun Pearce, 2 Tim James, 3 Aled Bellis.
Senior Open: 1 Rich Thomas, 2 Martyn Sherratt, 3 Karl Boggis.
Senior 125cc: 1 Mike Dawson, 2 George Kimball-Jones, 3 Sam Smith.
Junior Unlimited Group A: 1 Rich Roberts, 2 Ben Powell, 3 Rayner Clark.
Junior Unlimited Group B: 1 Matt Jones, 2 Chris Jones, 3 Dave Prosser.
Junior 125cc Under 17: 1 Carl Jones, 2 Aaron Tucker, 3 Josh Badnell.
Inter Junior: 1 Tom Smith, 2 Will Hughes, 3 Matt Price.
For full report, results and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, June 8, 2007.