Welsh Wonders
By TMX Archives on 1st Jul 15
For the 62nd edition of the Welsh Two Day Enduro sponsored by ET James, the organising Mid Wales Centre rang the changes with the route leaving out its traditional trip into the wilds of the Cambrian hills for a refreshed course centering around north Radnorshire that re-intoduced some old going not used for 20 years alongside some brand new terrain, giving a 130 mile route including three special tests.
With an 8am start on Thursday competitors had a short journey to the first test near the village of Cross Gates where the normally muddy and slippery test was surprisingly dry despite a light drizzle in the air.
From there the route worked its way through a series of rough tracks and minor roads over to the first big forestry stage and after a short road stage before finally arriving at the second special test utilising a motocross track before another forest stage, another hilltop stage, then the traditional special test in the Abbey and a final forestry stage before the return ride back to Llandrindod.
Despite the inclusion of several former winners in the Championship Solo class, Steve Holcombe was very much the favourite following his recent successes at the Enduro World Championships.
And so it was no surprise when he set the fastest time through the first test some eight seconds ahead of Joe Wootton. And with the Championship class doing back-to-back tests Steve improved his time by a further three-seconds, as did Joe with Jamie Lewis posting an almost identical time as Wootton.
This set the tone for each test with Holcombe posting the best time on each occasion to leave him Day One winner, 34 seconds ahead.
The Experts were split into capacity classes with E2 leader Shaun Buchan 15 seconds ahead of Garin Rosser while E1 leader and ET James rider Adam James was just a second behind.
Being a round of the ACU Classic Championship there was a large entry of Twin-shock machies on display and it was Maico-mounted Robert Jones who finished the day just two tenths of a second ahead of Husqvarna-mounted Ashley Wood with Andrew Edwards third.
Steven Finch was ahead in the Classic Clubman class ahead of Tom Powell and Sam Davidson. In the other solo categories ET James' Liam Garbet led the Clubmen from Jack Penhaligon. Will Jones was the best Over 40 and Euan Harrison best Over 50.
It was also a round of the ACU British Sidecar Enduro championship with the Championship riders were first into action with Jon Williams/ Neil James edging out a three second lead from reigning sidecar champs David Williams/ Simon Brown with Simon Bradford a further two seconds adrift.
However Bradford had already suffered a 20 second penalty for failing to start. Bradford was fastest in the second test ahead of Williams and Brown with Alun Davies/ James Fergusson third.
However the Williams/ James pairing fought back on the final test to post the fastest time, finishing the day four seconds ahead of Williams/ Brown with Davies/ Fergusson third and Bradford fourth rueing that start penalty.
FOR FULL REPORT & PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY, JULY 2, (ISSUE 1978)
