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.



 

Round 3 of the Club Championship finally took place 4 weeks after its original date was postponed. On this occasion sunshine was shining brightly and a good sized crowd was treated to some cracking racing. The track laid out by Adrian Brown & Phil Hosker with some work from his team rode well, it was in great condition the grass being cut just days before the meeting.

The Auto Cadets got racing underway with championship leader Jake Armstrong making a super start but being hotly pursued by an eager Jordan Jenkins. The two battled it out up front with Jordan finding a way through on the inside on the second lap. Just as the race leader crossed the finish line hard chasing Jake Armstrong got into trouble and took a nasty tumble. Medical staff diagnosed a suspected broken wrist and Jakes meeting was over. An exclusion in his fourth ride was to prove costly for Jordan after been deemed to be cause of the stoppage after falling. William O’Keefe went on to win the round from Lewis Whitmore.

Tegan Brown made her mum and Dad very proud by putting on a plucky display on her Auto Cadet debut. Tegan who celebrated her sixth birthday just two days before rode with confidence and improved every race and was awarded rider of the day.

William O‘Keefe now takes over from the unlucky Jake Armstrong at the top of Auto Cadet Championship followed by Lewis Whitmore and Jordan Jenkins ruing his fourth ride fall. This is developing in to a cracking class and the August meetings will be eagerly anticipated.

It was a case of business as usual for Edmund Best going through the card in the MX65 and Cadet classes. Edmund was in a class of his own apart from one ride in the Cadets when Jack Parkinson–Blackburn chased and caught and briefly passed the reigning Auto Cadet British Champion. Edmund swiftly regained the lead to keep his unbeaten record at Upper Cumberworth intact.

Once again the MX 85 class produced some of the closest racing. Loris Hunt, Jamie Garbutt and the Scarborough Brothers where involved in some excellent racing with passing the order of the day. Deklan Brown was always in the mix on his return to racing after a broken arm. It took a run off to decide 2nd and 3rd place with Jamie Garbutt beating Kutis Scarborough in the closest of finishes. Kurtis Scarborough now moves up to overall joint Championship leader with Brother Lewis. Loris Hunt is playing catch up after an enforced absence in the previous round. This one looks like it will go to the last race of the season.


The Inters and Juniors were run together, Michael Neale continued his unbeaten run while Junior winner Kurtis Scarborough had some great scraps with inters Joe Young.

In the 250 class Antony Worrall and Micky Allen battled it out for top spot. Six of the best races seen in this class this year provided wheel to wheel racing and the closest of finishes. Micky running out top dog on the day from Antony with Ben Worrall making an impressive debut in the class to take 3rd place. In the Championship Antony Worrall consolidated his position as leader from Micky Allen and old war horse Bill Hatfield moving up to 3rd.

The 500 & the 350s were run together Scott Anderson moving to the top of the Championship standings in the larger engine class after getting the better of some excellent scraps with John Cox. Josh Birkett (350 winner) was 3rd behind these two in each of the 6 races beating four 500 class riders in the process. In the Championship Scott Anderson takes over at the top with John Cox in second place and Anthony Slack moving up top 3rd.

In the Adult MX Tobias Hosker recorded his first two wins since moving up from the Junior Class. Ben Worrall was the eventual winner from Neil Perrone with the impressive Hosker in 3rd place. In the Championship standings Ben Worrall increases his lead at the top with Peter Durdan Jnr moving up to second and Neil Perrone in 3rd.

The meeting was kept well informed by the ever vigilant Colin Martin who entertained us all with his well loved voice.
A welcome return to Both Matt Weir and Linda Stevenson whom kept the racing running smoothly thanks must go to both of them.

All in all a very enjoyable day with some great racing. Good news on Jake Armstrong his broken wrist didn’t require surgery and should be back at the tapes for the White Rose Weekender in August. Details and regs for the weekender will be available shortly. Please keep checking the website.
 

Bright sunshine was the order of the day at Upper Cumberworth at 9 o’clock on the morning of the meeting.  With a reasonable weather forecast of sunshine and showers conditions were almost perfect.  Unfortunately by the time practice had finished the predicted showers had arrived and hardly baited for the best part of an hour and a half.

In the Auto Cadet class a blanket finish saw Yorkshire newcomers Jordan Jenkins and Lewis Whitmore taking 1^st and 3^rd respectively from a quick starting Jake Armstrong.

Another close finish in the second heat of the Auto’s saw Jake register his first of three wins on the day and go on to win his first well deserved championship meeting Messrs Jenkins and Whitmore both suffered falls but never the less made impressive debuts.

The Scarborough Brothers made the most of Championship leader Loris Hunt’s enforced absence to take first and second ahead of Chris Horne in the MX 85 class.  A fall in Jamie Garbutts fourth ride robbing him of a top three place.

James Kellett once again the sole representative in the MX 125 class

Edmund Best made light of the difficult conditions to take the Cadet class from Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.  Special mention for William O’Keefe who had a nasty fall in a meeting the previous week and had decided to call it a day before the interval.  He then had a change of heart and battled the difficult conditions for a well deserved third place.

In the Juniors an unwell Harry Slack withdrew after two rides leaving 2008 Champion Sam Patchett to gain maximum points in his first appearance of the year at Upper Cumberworth.  Michael Neal once again went through the card in the Inters with Joe young finishing runner up.

Edmund Best completed his second clean sheet of the day from James Asbury and Izaak Aldred who consolidated his overhaul 3^rd place in the Championship. Owen Robson suffering from a series of misfortunes and Megan Holtby withdrawing feeling unwell after one ride.

In the adult 250 former British Champion David Knowles produced a vintage display to take first place.  Knowles losing out on a maximum score when he finished 2^nd to Jamie Rodgers in one of several griping duels on the day.  Rodgers chances of finishing on the podium disappeared in his second ride when after leading from the gate drifted very wide on the first corner and didn’t attempt to get back into the race.  Another unlucky rider in the 250’s was Malcolm Gardner won four of his five heats but fell in his 3^rd and was excluded for being the cause of the stoppage.

Andrew Mellish took overhaul victory in the 350’s ahead of an improving James Moon. Michael Faulkner, who finished third, won his first two rides but was excluded from his third when he fell while leading just before the finish line and went out of the cones.

Josh Birketts rapid development was temporally halted when a fall in his third ride saw him take no further part.

Scott Anderson proved unbeatable in the 500 class.  David Rowlands managed a couple of wins but was piped for third place by John Cox.

The Adult MX Peter Durdan Juniors decision to come out for the last race of the day despite now treacherous conditions was rewarded as the 10 points he gained for the win took him to over hall victory.  Rodgers who had three earlier wins in this class opted to sit the race out so settled for second overall ahead of Ben Worrall.

With the rain now falling heavily and conditions deteriating a decision to conclude the racing with all riders having had the opportunity to complete five rides each.

A special mention for all the people who helped out on a very wet day.   I am sure no one will mind me making a special thanks to Christine Worrall and Maggie Hunt who stood  out in the wet all Day.