Posted by YJGTC on October 26, 2009, 8:30 am
MEETING REPORT
Club Championship Round 6 – 18th October 2009
A good sized crowd gathered to witness some excellent racing on a cold but bright October day at Upper Cumberworth as the final round of the Club Championship took place.
In the Auto Cadets Kyle Bickley proved to be a revelation in only his third Yorkshire appearance to win the meeting in an impressive style from Championship Leader William O’Keefe with Lewis Whitmore gaining his first podium position at Upper Cumberworth. Jake Armstrong had an eventful day suffering a number of falls and one exclusion in an all action display. Bad luck also dogged the pre meeting 4th placed Jordan Jenkins who was a non starter due to machine problems. Second place in this meeting was to prove good enough for William O’Keefe to take the Autos title from Jake Armstrong and Lewis Whitmore.
In the Cadets newly crowned British Champion Edmund Best completed another clean sheet finishing the season unbeaten to take the Yorkshire Cadet Title. A very busy William O’Keefe produced his best performance of the day in this class taking runners up spot in the meeting with Jack Parkinson-Blackburn just piping the lively Jordan Jenkins for the last podium place. Final placing Edmund Best Champion from Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and William O’Keefe.
Debutee Samuel Chapman proved the surprise winner in the Junior Class after Champion “elect” Harry Slack suffered an awkward spill in his first ride and took no further part. Samuel took full advantage to register six straight wins from Daniel Miles and Megan Holtby. In the final standings Harry Slack wins the Junior Class from Sam Patchett with Daniel Miles third (in his debut season).
In a depleted Inters Class Lewis Scarborough proved too good on the day for sibling Kurtis to card six wins. The absent Michael Neale who has dropped just 1 point all season had enough in the bank to claim the Championship overall. Final standings Michael Neale Champion from Kurtis Scarborough and Joe Young.
MX65 regulars Edmund Best, Daniel Van Der Hoeven and Owen Robson where joined by Harris Priestley, William O’Keefe and Jack Parkinson- Blackburn all making their debut in the 65s. This class developed into two separate battles with Best and Van Der Hoeven up front and Robson O’Keefe and Parkinson- Blackburn battling for third. Daniel Van Der Hoeven looked to be on course to relegate Edmund Best to second place on the podium for the first time this season only to fall while leading his fifth ride and having to settle for second place despite winning four races to Edmunds two. While O’Keefe found his best form in the Cadets Parkinson-Blackburn reserved his for the 65s. A blistering start in his second ride saw him lead from Best and Van Der Hoeven for the first half lap. After flipping his bike in his third heat most of his points were earned from the back to take a well earned third place. Final standings Edmund Best Champion from Owen Robson and Izzak Aldred.
The MX 85s has been the closest fought class throughout the year and was always going to provide a nail biting finish. Going into this meeting Lewis Scarborough held a seemingly un-assailable 25 point lead over Loris Hunt who has been playing catch up after missing an earlier round through other commitments. With Leader Lewis Scarboro not having the best of days Loris Hunt seemed to be on target to pull off an unlikely title victory after overcoming a fast starting Daniel Van Der Hoeven to card two wins. However a fall in his third ride was to prove decisive. The battle for third and fourth place was no less intense with Jamie Garbutt and Deklan Brown who was having his best meeting of the season slogging it out. So close was the end result two run offs where required with Loris defeating Daniel for first place and Jamie squeezing through the narrowest of gaps on the inside of Deklan on the last lap to claim third. The placings saw Lewis Scarborough Champion from Loris Hunt with Jamie Garbutt.
Going into the meeting the 250’s Champion elect Antony Worrall held onto a 46 point lead over second placed Micky Allen who unfortunately was unable to compete. This in effect settled the championship before a wheel was turned but if Antony thought he was out for a walk in the park then ex British Champion David Knowles had other ideas. Knowles’s super fast starts and tight inside lines saw him record six wins with Antony throwing everything at him in an effort to find a way round the outside but had to be content with second place on the day with Malcolm Gardner claiming third.
This class has provided some excellent entertainment all season with close racing and good sportsmanship. Messer’s Worrall, Allen and Knowles being excellent role models for all our younger rider’s. Final standings Antony Worrall Champion from Micky Allen and Malcolm Gardner.
A depleted 350s Class saw Yorkshire’s highly rated teenage Josh Birkett put his skills against arguably one of the best 350 riders in the country Andy Mellish. The two served up some close fought action in five excellent “match races” with Andy winning 4 to 1. Josh was a non starter in the last programmed ride. Final standings Josh Birkett, James Moon runner up from Andy Mellish.
The 500s Championship like the 350’s was decided before the meeting started with Jon Cox holding a 46 point lead over Will Bratley who was unable to compete through injury. However Jon Cox was to have an eventful day being a non finisher in his first ride followed by three wins, a fall and a non start. This allowed Kevin Fleetham to take full advantage and win the meeting on his first visit to Yorkshire on a bike he had only collected the day before. Mark Stephenson took second place from Laurie Curtis who was making a rare West Yorkshire appearance. The final standings are Jon Cox Champion from Andy Thompson and Robert Thompson.
The Adult MX had a very unusual look about it with Championship Leader Ben Worrall and two other riders making their Yorkshire debuts Mark Whitelam and promising Derbyshire teenager James Birks. Mark Whitelam made an immediate impact taking the first three races from Ben Worrall with Ben returning the compliment in the final three and going on to win the run off for first place and confirm his 2009 Adult MX Championship. Young James Birks showed great promise on his first ever Grasstrack appearance and was never far behind his too more experienced piers and finished with a smile on his face. I think we will see a lot more of James in 2010. Final standings Champion Ben Worrall from Tim Greig and Neil Perrone.
The after meeting presentation was carried out by Sheffield and England legend Sean Wilson who recalled his early days racing on the Grass at the Yorkshire Club. Our thanks go to him.
On closing - the Club would like to thank the Clerk of the Course Mark Heaton and his wife Val for all their efforts this season. Linda and Tony Stephenson, Richard and Maggie (pit box) Hunt, Antony and Christine (Finish line flags) Worrall. For standing out in all weathers in all our meetings. To the girls in the Buttie Van Elaine Brown and Kelly Armstrong who were the first to start and last to finish. Michelle Birkett, Justine Radbone and Beverley Hosker for their sterling service lap scoring. To all our marshals. Everyone who helped in track building and pulling down the track in particular Phil Hosker, Gary and Josh Birkett, Stuart Neale and Darren Miles. Antony and Ben Worrall, Harold Van Der Hoeven and Will Bratley for scrutineering. Also thanks to Colin Martin, Matt Wear, Chris Knowles, Dave Woodlam, “Smoking” Bill Hatfield, Steve Holland. Land owner James Peace. Event Fire and Medical for their excellent service. Wadsworth Kawaski, Beau Trophies and Alan O’Keefe for their very much appreciated sponsorship.
Finally thanks to all the Mums, Dads, Grandmas, Grandads and everyone for helping to make this a brilliant season in this difficult economic climate.
Overall - a very highly entertaining season with youth very much at the forefront. The hard work put in by the committee over the past season appears to be paying off with over a dozen new young riders taking to the Grass for the first time in the past two meetings. If this trend continues next season the future of Yorkshire and Grasstrack in general would appear to be bright. While youth is of course the future the adults have been superb in supporting the club. Despite the limitations of the available small fields the adults have turned up in numbers and put on some great racing. Without these guys support it simply would not have been viable to stage the meetings. TO YOU GUY’S A VERY BIG THANK YOU!
Hope to see you all in 2010.
Championship Results available on line at www.yorkshiregrasstrack.co.uk
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