World of Wor-craft

But it was Steve Ireland and his WOR team who made the theory a reality at the weekend, as they turned Hawkstone Park into a ‘Field of Dreams' for over 600 riders.

 

Hawkstone is a superb facility near Shrewsbury. It began its sporting life in the 1930s as a hill-climb venue and the massive terracotta red ascent – carved through the trees – dominates the picturesque wooded slopes. 

 

The four-mile lap combined the fast open jumps and sweeps of the GP motocross course, with the nadgery twists and turns of the tight woodland stages, to challenge a range of rider abilities.

 

Saturday was fun-packed with a three-hour ‘Race Experience' session, and a 90-minute kids' race. 

 

Alfie Mountford (BW85) was the overall winner, as Doltan Shannon, George Saunders, Joe Roberts and Marc Vardy all did well to clock up nine laps. 

 

Ross Davies topped the SW85 class, Lewis Pyne was the best Junior 65cc rider and Michael Watson won the Over 85cc category.

 

In the afternoon there was three-hours of open practice.

 

Last year's Pro race winner Danny McCanney had returned with his younger brother, Jamie, and fellow ISDE team member Jack Rowland. 

 

All three have had a great year with WEC and UEM successes to their credit. 

 

There was a brotherly theme to the Pro class with Nathan and Ben Watson, Joe and Ben Wootton, Owain and Gethin Humphries lined up with the McCanneys. But star of the day was Dutchman Steffan Hage, who entertained the crowd with a series of increasingly wild whips over the table-top.

 

For Sunday – raceday – the weather was perfect for the second annual Motul Moto-Duro, with the air cool and the sky hazy and riders were divided into two groups.

 

Group A consisted of Pro, Expert/ Expert Vets and Clubman classes, while Group B was for Sportsman, Over 40, Over 50 and Ladies.