Watson Wades In
By TMX Archives on 22nd Nov 13
Skegness was simply rocking as the AMCA hosted the fourth staging of its Beach Race weekend, an event made possible thanks to the co-operation and support offered by the East Lindsey District Council.With the Councils blessing and warm hospitality of the local hoteliers and population of Skegness, its no wonder that the 2013 beach blast was declared another big success for everyone concerned. Earlier in the week, though before the action could commence, the AMCA Events and Roberts Plant Engineering teams arrived on site to erect the two thousand plus steel crowd control barriers and also construct the Skeggy circuit.Although this year offered a longer, redesigned track lay-out, the results produced a rather familiar appearance as Nathan Watson making his Evotech Stevens Husqvarna debut took home another 1,000 winners cheque.Also victorious again at Skeggy was 2012 Quad race winner, Stefan Murphy, and 2012 Sidecar top man Alun Davies with James Fergusion this time occupying his sidecar.First to taste the re-designed track on day one was the Clubmans class, sponsored by SECWHA (Skegness East Coast and Wolds Hospitality Association) with awards for Clubman Youth, Clubman Over 18, Clubman Over 40 and Clubman Over 50.So at 10am on Saturday, it was time for racing and leading the charge was 18-year-old Gloucestershire-based Dan Thornhill. This talented youngster was racing aboard a borrowed 450F Honda, having already raced both 250F Kawasaki and KTM earlier this year.Despite those changes in engine power and marque, Thornhill was pure class at Skeggy and after fighting off an early challenge from John Robson he controlled the entire 1.5-hour contest from start to finish, completing 19 laps in the process.Closest challenger to Dans domination was Verde KTM pilot, Matthew Callaghan, on an 18-lap total with Oliver Benton jumping aboard a 250F for the first time also right in contention along with Jack Staines and Luke Gidney.Making the long trip to Skegness from his Hampshire base, Harry Hinson was the runner-up in the Clubman Over 18 class while Veteran victories went to Ryan Griffiths (Over 40) and Eddie Sloane (Over 50).In Veteran Over 40, Griffiths finished with a respectable 16-lap total ahead of Chris Matthews and Anthony Dean. Over 50 Veteran Eddie Sloane certainly enjoyed himself, completing 15-laps, two more than runner-up Stephane Dufay with Ricky Widdowson third.The Doodson Broking Group-sponsored Quad and Sidecar class had a 2.5-hour slot to go sand blasting. In a line-up of hungry Quad racers, Carl Bunce led the charge before being passed on the opening lap by defending Skegness Quad King, Stefan Murphy.However Bunce was a determined challenger. He fought back to regain the lead and controlled proceedings for another two frantic circuits. By lap four though it was again advantage Murphy, as Bunce made a mistake which initially dropped him back to sixth. From there onwards Murphy charged on to another great victory, completing two more laps than eventual runner-up, Oliver Sansom. Taking third in this entertaining clash was John Mitchell with Peter McKenzie fourth, Clint Eagle fifth and Aaron Pole sixth as early challenger Bunce disappeared from the lap charts on lap 11.Looking for a performance of the moto, then how about female rider Katie Hodgson, who held a top ten position throughout, eventually finishing a great eighth.In the Sidecar class, 2012 winner Alun Davies had entered, but with a different passenger in James Fergusion occupying the chair this time around. However, Davies showed that he is indeed the three-wheeled master of Skegness beach by taking a comfortable victory and completing 22-laps, seven more than his closest rival, Thomas Mann/ Neil Burke with Liam Mudie in third. The lap total recorded by Davies saw him ahead of some Quad finishers and in a great 19th spot in the combined standings.So to Sunday and at mid-day it was time for the major race of the weekend, the solo race. Naturally all eyes were on 2012 winner, 19-year-old Nathan Watson, giving his gleaming new Evotech Stevens Husqvarna its race debut. When the gates opened to signal the start of the gruelling three hour blast it was Dan Thornhill on that borrowed 450F Honda who led the charge over the first few sand mounds. By the completion of a frantic opening lap, Nathan Watson was in control ahead of Thornhill, Matt Moffat, Josh Waterman, Ben Watson and James Lassu.Unfortunately, in the opening three laps, Waterman had disappeared from proceedings when his KTM stopped and stubbornly refused to restart.So as Waterman bowed out, Ryan Staveley moved up into the top six and the race was on.While the smooth Watson stylishly reeled off lap after lap in pursuit of glory, Thornhill and Moffat had a great tussle for second spot, regularly swapping positions.At mid-distance, Watson continued to stretch his advantage at the front as Moffat, Thornhill, Ben Watson, Staveley, Ryan Watson, Lassu, young Ollie Benton, Scott Austin and Steven Gardham were the top ten challengers.Entering the final third of the race and with tiredness naturally and clearly in evidence throughout the pack, Nathan Watson was smooth. Then he put the hammer down, turned on the gas and blasting to eventual victory, two-laps ahead of runner-up Moffat. Moffat actually did very well to finish the contest, steering his KTM home with a melting gearbox which had lost third gear.Despite a sore leg, Thornhill displayed his true class and got home third with Ben and Ryan Watson taking fourth and sixth respectively, sandwiching Lassu.At the finish, a very proud Debbie Watson was on hand to congratulate her talented sons, embracing not only winner Nathan but also Ben and Ryan, who were having their comeback rides following injury, Ben having suffered a broken collarbone while Ryan had fractured both his hip and collarbone. Top Veteran finisher in the main solo contest was Alex Owen who completed 30 laps (13th overall) in the final classification a great effort.After reflecting on the tough three-hour battle, Nathan Watson declared his enjoyment saying: The bike was superb and this event is mega, I love it here. I will definitely be back next year to make it a hat-trick of wins.Runner-up Matt Moffat was not quite so happy: I had a crap start and rode too tense in the early stages, which caused me to crash. I actually found the second half of the race easier despite having to stay in second gear when my gearbox started to fail.For third placed Thornhill, it was a painful end to the weekend, as he explained: I crashed hard at mid-distance and suffered a dead leg but after winning the Clubman race yesterday, I am still pleased with third today.So thats it for another super Skeggy and with Nathan Watson vowing to go for the hat-trick in 2014 is there anyone who fancies challenging this bright young star?The provisional date for next years event is November 8/9, 2014.
