It’s hard to describe just how good NMCC’s final meeting of the year was! For mid-October, the weather was more like June. A warm, dry day preceded by a few days of rain.
Bud’s track work ahead of this weekend was perfect, leaving the track as good as it can ever be. With a massive entry of around 170 riders, this was the biggest line-up NMCC have seen for years. Some amazingly generous race sponsors meant prize money was available in all classes. The organisation ran like clockwork, and the large crowd of spectators enjoyed fantastic racing in all the groups.
In the Expert group Shane Holmes fought closely all day with club champion Jamie Richmond. After Jamie limped home at the end of race one with a broken gearbox it looked like it would all go Shane’s way. However, Jamie was back in front for race two on a spare bike, fighting Shane to the end. Shane took the overall win, with Jamie in second ahead of Kristian Hutchings. With such a large entry the Junior class ended up being split into A, B and C. The A group ran with the Experts, adding speed and excitement to the races. James Thompson put on a fine display to win the overall with second and first places. Rikki Knowlton took second by a single point from Gavin Jakeman. Brodie Ferguson took the overall in Junior B by virtue of a win in race two. George Clarke had to settle for the second step of the podium despite finishing on equal points. Frank Burton took third ahead of Bradley Thomas. Two wins made sure of first overall in Junior C for Jamie Epplestone. A tie for second ended up going Corey Blackwell’s way ahead of Grayson Campbell.
The Pre 83 125 class joined NMCC for this meeting. As usual these classic 125 machines looked and sounded just great. There were a few extra EVO bikes added to make up the numbers. Three wins for Kristian Hutchings meant an overall win in dominant style. James Thompson rode really well on his distinctly not 125 Kawasaki for second each time out. Darren Ismay also finished with perfect consistency, third each time out. The NMCC Ladies class ran once again. More numbers hopefully for next year, but the girls raced hard as usual. Kathryn Booth won all three races, a result that was never in much doubt. Abbie Piggott took second in all three races, with Kayla Crane third overall.
In the age group categories, Shane Holmes took all three race wins on his way to overall victory in the Premier O40 class. Dale Phillips battled all day with John Barnes, taking second by a single point in the end. The Elite O50 class saw Shaun Brooker win races two and three, after a crash in race two eliminated race one winner Daniel Haskett. Mark Hawkins took second overall, finishing right behind Shaun each time out. Justin Carter finished third despite some close battles with Fraser Law, back racing for the first time this year. A hat-trick of wins saw Stephen Hollins dominate the Super O60 class. Richard Jochacy made second place his own, ahead off a close battle between Simon Tucker and Reg Willis.
As the 2 Stroke and U40 classes run together the results are often similar, with a lot of riders qualifying for both. Reece Wain took the overall win, while a second race win for Kristian Hutchings gave him second from Scott Hipwell. Bradley Thomas took a fine win in the Workers race ahead of a back-from-injury Steven Chilvers.
Results - https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/2065840
Race Report by Fraser Law – Images courtesy of www.motoxphotos.co.uk