Whatley Patches things up
By Dave Rich on 20th Jul 12
Last Wednesday evening, July 11, marked the 66th running of the famous Patchquick Trophy at Phoenix Moto Parc, near Kingsteignton, Devon, which again was sponsored by local business Phoenix Tools.
There was a lot of speculation across the country as to whether this event would go ahead as many events the previous weekend had been cancelled due to the heavy downpours.
However, this wasn't the case as a lot of track preparation had been carried out and the circuit was in prime condition on arrival.
During practice and qualifying the heavens opened with a heavy shower, which made things a bit tacky, but luckily there was no further rain and there was some top quality racing for the some 1,000-plus spectators.
This year's event had attracted some of the country's finest riders as well as many local kingpins, including last year's winner Alex Snow.
Local rider Snow had set the fastest time in qualifying, but Kristian Whatley had the best start in the opening race, ahead of Neville Bradshaw, with Snow tucked in third.
Whatley was in a real hurry and was soon into a rhythm and gradually eased away from Bradshaw on the opening lap.
Bradshaw had Snow pressuring him, desperate to get past and this continued for several laps.
Backmarkers came in to play later on and Whatley passed them with ease, but Bradshaw was showered with mud and had to slow as he sought to regain his vision.
This enabled Snow to move through into second. Whatley was well clear by this time and went on to take the win with ease from Snow, with Bradshaw taking third.
Again, in the second moto, Whatley pulled the best start from Shane Carless and Snow, but within two corners Snow had edged through to second and was giving chase.
Bradshaw didn't have the best of starts this time and was mid-field having a real battle with Jackson Evans and Luke Hill, a scrap which thrilled spectators for several laps.
Meanwhile, back at the front, Whatley started to gap Snow by lap six and Carless began to close in on Snow.
However, Snow reacted, put in a couple of quick laps and eased away again.
Patchquick Trophy Motocross
Phoenix MP, Kingsteignton, Devon (West of England MC)
Patchquick Trophy
1 Kristian Whatley (450F PAR Honda) 30 + 30 + 30 = 90
2 Shane Carless (250F Rockstar KTM) 23 + 27 + 27 = 77
3 Alex Snow (450F Oakleaf Kawasaki) 27 + 25 + 23 = 75
4 Neville Bradshaw (Evotech Stevens Hon) 25 + 23 + 25 = 73
5 Luke Hawkins (250F Apico Suzuki) 15 + 21 + 21 = 57
6 Dan Thornhill (Meredith Suzuki) 13 + 11 + 17 = 41
7 Jamie Skuse (450F Apico Suzuki) 4 + 17 + 19 = 40
8 Jackson Evans (Phoenix Honda) 17 + 15 + 8 = 40
9 Jake Milward (250F Oakleaf Kawasaki) 11 + 13 + 15 = 39
10 Luke Mellows (250F Meredith Suzuki) 21 + 9 + 9 = 39
Vic Ashford Junior Cup
1 Steve Holcombe (250F JD Racing KTM) 30 + 30 = 60
2 Ben Butler (350F Maunders KTM) 23 + 27 = 50
3 Loukas Maggio (250F Phoenix Honda) 25 + 25 = 50
4 Ryan Allen (450F KTM) 19 + 23 = 42
5 Harry Mitchell (125 Yamaha) 21 + 17 = 38
6 Toby Harvey (250F Honda) 13 + 19 = 32
Junior B
1 Aaron Yeo (???) 27 + 30 = 57
2 Fraser Gardiner (125 Yamaha) 30 + 27 = 57
3 Mark Cornish (450F Honda) 25 + 25 = 50
4 Robin Wilkins (250 Suzuki) 23 + 19 = 42
5 Matt Wells (250 Suzuki) 17 + 23 = 40
6 Scott Hooper (450F Honda) 21 + 15 = 36
