Two Hou's take Ellington wins!
By TMX Archives on 12th Mar 08
THE DirtBike-Traxs team produced another outstanding weekend at Ellington Banks, Ripon, for the second round of the National Putoline Hare Scramble Championship, with 400 riders taking part in the various races. The track team had spent the past few weeks reversing and grading the course, adding in new sections to the all ready fantastic Ellington course. The course is suited to winter racing and is not adversely affected by the weather.
The action started on Saturday with Youth races and an Academy Training Day. Using a shortened track, Saturday's well-supported Youth race started at 1pm. With the sky overcast and the rain holding off, Youth Senior B lead the field away and for the next 90
minutes Robert Johnson and Davey Todd were locked in battle with Johnson eventually taking a narrow win from Todd. Luke Flack finished third despite repairing a puncture along the way.
Michael Tatham was a clear winner in Youth Junior, with Dan Bewlay second and Harrison Bell third.
Katy Bullock won the newly introduced Ladies class from Anita Gordon and Jade Gordon.
After heavy overnight rain, Sunday was a much brighter day, and at 9am the massed ranks of Sportsman Novice and Senior A riders got their chance to tackle the Ellington track.
Young Thomas Healey, who has just moved up into Sportsman E1 from Youth Senior A, was setting a fast pace out in front. With every lap he increased his lead, eventually winning by a lap from Davy Morewood.
Richard Pickering won Sportsman Open, while William Hillas topped the competitive Youth Senior A class, a breeding ground for future talent. Each finisher was given a bottle of ProClean.
There was a short break while the Expert, Clubman and Over 40 classes assembled on the start line ready for the main action of the day. At 12.30pm sharp, the bikes roared into
action. Rounding the first two corners at the front, Gary Hutchinson claimed the RAS Sport hole-shot award.
However, by the time the riders reached the Putoline Bank in the woods, Gavin Houson was in the lead. Biff Smith and Graham Jarvis both had a poor starts and were trying to catch up ground on the flying Houson.
At the mid-way point, Jarvis had progressed to second place and was closing on Houson. However a Jarvis crash in the mature pine woods slowed his progress and allowed the hard riding Smith to move into second spot.
Houson's pit crew had let him know the time difference to second-placed Smith and over the closing laps Houson was cruising, styling it over the jumps to take a well deserved win.
The ‘Biffstar' had to settle for second place but moved into a clear lead in the points race to claim the large cash prize fund that is part of the National Putoline Hare Scramble Champion-ship. Graham Jarvis took third, still finding his enduro fitness and speed.
Making it a double win for team Houson, Mark Houson, Gav's dad, headed the Over 40 class after a tough battle with David Salkeld. Meanwhile in Clubman E1, Joe Deakin won by a margin of 67 seconds over Josh Taylor.
Clubman Open honours went to local rider Steve ‘Chunk' Watson. Once again, the finishers were rewarded with a bottle of Pro Clean.
The addition of a new PA system and commentary was well received and was able to provide up to date race information.
The National Putoline Hare Scramble series moves up to Penrith on March 30, where the riders will be treated to an even longer course with new loops.
NATIONAL PUTOLINE HARE SCRAMBLE CHAMPS
Rd 2 – Ellington Banks, Ripon
MAIN RACE
Expert: 1 Gav Houson 15 laps - 4:26 time penalties, 2 Biff Smith 15 - 5:23, 3 Graham Jarvis 15 - 7:02, 4 David Myers 14 - 3:28, 5 Scott Austin 14 - 3:36, 6 David Wood 14 - 5:31.
Clubman E1: 1 Joe Deakin 14 - 8:31, 2 Josh Taylor 14 - 9:38, 3 Michael Briggs 13 - 0:29, 4 Josh Bendell 13 - 1:01, 5 Ian Harrison 13 - 8:46, 6 Austin Gregg 13 - 10:54.
Clubman Open: 1 Steven Watson 14 - 10:46, 2 David Wilson 14 - 10:50, 3 Colin Chapman 13 - 0:31, 4 Simon Cartwright 13 - 1:26, 5 Marcus Firth 13 - 4:37, 6 Anthony Copper 13 - 5:39.
Over 40: 1 Mark Houson 14 - 6:05, 2 David Salkeld 13 - 0:49, 3 John Burrow 13 - 7:26, 4 Bill Howe 12 - 0:53, 5 John Hedley 12 - 0:53, 6 Phil Darwin 12 - 3:06.
SPORTSMAN RACE
Sportsman E1: 1 Thomas Healey 11 - 28:08, 2 Davy Morewood 10 - 16:19, 3 Matthew Ward 10 - 17:52, 4 Ben Pattinson 10 - 21:17, 5 James Allinson 10 - 16:19, 6 Mark Rollin 10 - 23:56.
Sportsman Open: 1 Richard Pickering 10 - 17:26, 2 Richard Spencer 10 - 17:54, 3 Andy Warren 10 - 18:00, 4 Rich Birkett 10 - 18:52, 5 Ryan Patrick 10 - 19:17, 6 Phil Dodsworth 10 - 21:15.
Youth Senior A: 1 William Hillas 10 - 25:55, 2 George Knowles 10 - 28:07, 6 Adam Taylor 9 - 15:04, 3 Reece Morewood 9 - 15:11, 4 Jordan Johns 9 - 17:11, 5 Daniel Emmett 8 - 21:45.
Novice: 1 Gary Day 9 - 17:24, 2 Ed Knowles 9 - 18:41, 3 Dan Murr 9 - 20:26, 4 Billy Parkinson 9 - 21:05, 5 James Wilkinson 9 - 21:36, 6 Steve Parkin 9 - 21:38.
YOUTH RACE
Youth Senior B: 1 Robert Johnson 12 - 6:22, 2 Davey Todd 12 - 6:38, 3 Luke Flack 11 - 5:12, 4 Scott Altass 11 - 6:31, 5 Fred Edwards 10 - 0:27, 6 Daniel Clarke 10 - 2:05.
Junior: 1 Michael Tatham 10 - 3:35, 2 Dan Bewlay 9 - 1:41, 3 Harrison Bell 9 - 2:07, 4 Joe Smith 9 - 11:31, 5 Michael Gilby 8 - 3:43, 6 Rider No 53 8 - 4:00.
Ladies: 1 Katy Bullock 9 - 7:00, 2 Anita Gordon 8 - 7:21, 3 Jade Gordon 8 - 8:35, 4 Gina Bewlay 7 - 7:29, 5 Rider No 36 7 - 8:36.
For full pictures, see T+MX NEWS, Friday, March 14, 2008