Video of Mark Hutchinson. Matt Garside and Tony Kelly
Overnight wet weather meant a damp start for the event the first competitors were away at 9.30am from St. Johns Old Railway car park.
The going was shortened due to closure of Lhergy Colvine so riders followed a route via Rock Mount and Manannan’s Chair before the first test at Eairy Beg with its tricky off cambers, steep gully and slippy climbs before heading to the Archallagan test via the horribly rocky Douse. Archallagan was a tight tough test set out by the ever helpful plantation dweller Nick Cannon.
Overall event winner Alex Rockwell looked steady to start off with but sped up as the laps ticked off an approach that kept him ahead of the field by over 3mins.
Russell Milward and Mike Turner following behind separated by a mere 7 secs. Mark Cringle DNF’d with a snapped gear selector shaft on his Gas Gas.
Clubman class winner Robert Quayle got into the spirit of the event discussing 50s Westerns and John Wayne in between swapping test times with Paul Cannell. Its looking like Bodger’s championship at this stage of the year. Mark Crellin followed along in 3rd ahead of an impressive Richard Curphy first time out on his nearly new KTM 250-f. Paul Dedman had a knock on the head went home feeling dizzy the club wishes him well.
Craig McGee would have been 3rd on test times alone but turning up late with no chain AND a sticking throttle meant he picked up a penalties along with further lateness.
Sportsman class supplied the bulk of the entries and were given 3 laps rather than the usual 2 so well done to all finishers in what was a difficult event. Class winner was the impressive Alan Heath denying Andy Sidebottom a hat trick of victories. 3rd place was Aden McDermott with his best result to date. Stephen Farrell performed well in his first event making good on his fathers investment in the entry fee!
Organisor Graham Taubman would like to thank Nick Cannon for setting out the Archallagan test, Mark Wilson and Rich for the going, Peter Moran and team from Hogg, DEFA for the use of the land also TMs Matt Garside, Rich Skillicorn & Import.
Special thanks to timekeepers Suzie Clague, Kim Gascoygne and friends, Phil Dearden, Juan and his better half and also Bob & Suzie for doing the results.
Next Event: 12th June Postal entries only.