The NORA MX Club hosted the first two rounds of the NORA MX championships of 2023 at Grittenham MX Park in Wiltshire. It was part a fantastic two-day quad championship event which incorporated the first round of the NORA sidecar Championship. The weather was fantastic with the sun shining all weekend on the sandy, but rain in the preceding week left the track very wet and it took a while to dry out. Despite a few problems is practice, the problem areas were scraped, and it was all good to go for the races.
This weekend they were running the same format as 2022, with the Pro / Pro-am run as a 4-race weekend, with all other quad classes as a 6-race weekend and the sidecars as a 3-race single day event.
The NORA sidecar Championship was well attended with a mixture of modern and twin shock teams.
Race one got underway with an early lead for John and Tony Murch with Tony Graeme just behind, for this season being joined by his cousin Scott Graeme. Unfortunately, the two pairs touched together going into a bend, and both stopped and were left track side for a while, this left Lee Foyle also with a new passenger, Dan Phelps, to take the lead holding on for their first win of the day. Luke Banks and Daniel Spencer fought through to take a great third place passing Ashley Williams and John Hunt in the final few laps.
In race two Lee Foyle and Dan Phelps left nothing to chance, blasting past John and Tony Murch and into the lead, being chased by Tony and Scott Graeme, but they took a big upside-down tumble, luckily the ground was soft, and they were soon up the right way, bit had lost that leading position. Tony and Scott Graeme took the lead, going on to take a great win with Lee Foyle and Dan Phelps fighting back into second with Ashley Williams and John Hunt holding third until they were left track side with mechanical problems, this left John and Tony Murch to take third, just ahead of Luke Banks and Daniel Spencer.
In the final race of the day, Lee Foyle and Dan Phelps left nothing to chance, leading from the start going on to take their second win of the day and now lead the championship going into round two. Tony and Scott Graeme stayed close throughout but settled for second. Jack Roger and Ryan Beavis took advantage of a great start to tuck into third just ahead of Paul Pelling and Mike Curnow who put their earlier race problem behind them to take fourth.
In the Pro / Pro-am class, racing got underway with an early lead for Dean Dillon with Tom Day holding second and George Day third, despite being chased throughout Dean Dillon held on to take his first win of the weekend. Dafydd Davies held fourth with Jamie Morgan close behind.
In Race two Dafydd Davies took the holeshot, with George Day second from Dean Dillon, but it was all change with Dean going missing the following lap with mechanical problems had to be towed back to the pits. Jamie Morgan saw his chance and tucked into third leading Tom Day fourth, just ahead of Carl Bunce.
On day two there were another two races, with just as much excitement, and this time it was great to see Harry Walker join the action. George Day blasted into the lead on Race three, being chased by Dean Dillon but it was Jamie Morgan who was on charging through the pack, blasting into the lead to take the win. Dean Dillon held second with Harry Walker passing George Day to take third.
In their last race of the weekend, it was Dean Dillon who took the hole shot but was quickly passed by Harry Walker who held the advantage going on to take a great win. Dean Dillon took second just ahead of Jamie Morgan with Tom Day tucking into fourth.
After a weekend of brilliant racing it is Jamie Morgan who won through with consistency and is now leading the Pro championship, Marcus Sprason leads the Pro-am class with three of four wins.
The Masters A and B class, they had three races on Saturday and another three on Sunday. In race one it was a battle between Ed Davies who took the hole shot and Johnathan Mcknight who tried hard to pass but had to settle for second. Greg Fisher has third with Chris Keitch in fourth.
In race two it was Ed Davies who led from the start with Paul Winrow blasting past to take his first win of the weekend, Ed Davies held second from Johnathan Mcknight and good race for Darren Bridge in fourth.
In the final day of day one Ed Davies took the hold shot and lead to the flag. Paul Winrow chased but held second just ahead of Johnathan Mcknight and Greg Fisher.
On day two there were another three races, with two wins for Ed Davies he held the advantage at the start of the day. In race 4 it was Paul Winrow win. Ed Davies fought through to take second ahead of Johnathan Mcknight, with Chris Keitch fourth.
At the start of race four it was all to play for with two wins for Paul Winrow two wins for Ed Davies, and with Paul Winrow holding the lead it looked like he would take the advantage, but he picked up mechanical problems and worked on the bike outside the pit area to earn a disqualification. Ed Davies took the win with Johnathan Mcknight second. Greg Fisher held a safe third from Paul McConway in his best finish of the weekend.
In their last race of the weekend, it was Ed Davies who took the hold shot followed by Johnathan Mcknight, Greg Fisher was again in good for just behind. Paul Winrow had a slow start but was determined and fought hard to take the lead after a few laps, holding on for the win.
With three out of six race wins, and three seconds Ed Davies takes the championship lead. In the Masters B class Stumpy Lawrence had a great weekend and some brilliant starts to secure the lead in that class.
In the 150 / 250 races it was Frank Marston who dominated the 250 open class taking wins in all races with Louie Holt close behind and taking second overall, and Reggie Binskin third. Jay Sams dominated the 250 Air cooled class, with Brodie North heading up the 150 Open class.
The Clubman Elite and Clubman classes raced together and was another great format. They also had three races on Saturday and another three on Sunday. Ross Dillon and Aled Davies battles together all weekend taking three wins each, with Ross holding just a 2 point advantage leading the Clubman Elite championship. There was strong competition in the Clubman class with Charlie Wheatley winning through to hold the championship lead.
The Intermediated were dominated by Morgan Junge with Brooke Bunce leading the ladies class.
Finally the 50 / 100 class was well supported with Owain Lewis leading the 100 Auto, and Seth Balaam the 100 geared. Macson Lorton worked hard to hold the lead of the 50s class.
At the end of an eventful weekend there were lots of exhausted riders celebrating a great start to the racing season. The club worked tirelessly all weekend to make it a fantastic event, and we look forward to round three on RD3 - May 7th - West Meon - GU29 9DH
Results
Nora Quad and Sidecar Rnd 1, Nora-Mx Quad Racing MYLAPS
Nora Quad Rnd 2, Nora-Mx Quad Racing MYLAPS
Report by Tracy Thacker