To Commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away just a year ago, Lincolnshire Enduro Club put on a one-off 6-hour Hare and Hounds race a few weekends back.
It was only after details had been announced of the event, that it was pointed out that it was the club’s 50th event in their 5 year “career”. It seems that the event was so successful that it may not be a one-off actually. After some good positive feedback from riders, plans are already afoot for another similar event in 2024. Days leading up to the race were marred by very much above the normal temperatures for even our crazy summers, and some of the days put aside to set up the track were cut short due to the extreme heat seen over the UK.
On race day though, temperatures did drop somewhat but riders had to put up with some short, sharp and unannounced showers. This made some of the grassy areas a little sticky until the track dried out later in the proceedings. The 13 mile lap, one of the longest ever built by the club, was a mixture of hard and easy options through the quarry sections, several wooded areas and the super fast areas that Dembleby Heath is becoming well known for. As it was something of an unknown for the club, the classes were cut down to just three from the norm, Experts, Clubman and Vets. Another way of making things a little different was the introduction of a “Le Mans” start. This will have been seen as either good fun/slightly callous for most riders.
With classes for solo riders or two man teams, something happened that normally doesn’t occur with the club . . . someone who was not in the Experts class was quickest on the day! (Actually, its only happened once before, back at Gonerby in June 2022. Jon Pearson from the Over 40’s class was the victor that time out). Only two riders over the 6 hours had attained 13 laps this time round. The quickest rider over all classes on Sunday was Warren Burbage. Obviously, that makes Warren a double victor with not only a class win in the “Vets” section, but also taking the spoils for being the fastest guy taking into account all riders. The Clubman class winner provided the second placed rider overall on the day, with LEC regular Simon Owen taking the spoils. In 3rd place overall was another well known LEC man Darren Cox. This saw him clench the Experts title for the day too.
Back to the individual classes . . With Warren taking top spot in the Vets section, Stuart Cryer came home a lap down in the same group with Andrew Smith the 3rd placed rider, also on 12 laps. The top three in the Experts were a little closer. The aforementioned Darren Cox was the run away winner, but just five minutes separated Lee Hattersley in 2nd spot from Spenser Smith in 3rd; both on 11 laps. Behind Simon Owen in the Clubman class was Thomas Hodgkinson in the runner up spot and then Stuart Ellis taking the Bronze medal place. These two lads were separated by three minutes.
In the team events, there were 4 Experts teams on 15 laps when the chequered flag came down. The clear winners were the “Team Judd” partnership of Dan Johnson and James Paczynski. Dan and James’s victory was a clear 10 minutes but 2nd and 3rd places almost went down to the wire. “Team Weekend Warriors” (Jack Rowland and Thomas Kirk) came over the line in 6 hours 17 minutes to take the runner up position, with the 3rd placed riders just 60 seconds later. (Team S & H…Daniel Smith and Paul Hanks). The Clubman two man affair was won by Team Well-Shaw, (Darren Wells/Alex Shaw) with “If in doubt, flat out” in 2nd, (James Palmer/Alex Cumberland) “The Tappers”came home in the Bronze medal position. (Neil & Joe Tapper). “Team Robin/Jason” took the spoils in the Vets, (Robin McKinnon/Jason Teale) with the 2nd placed team “Chinese whispers” (Gareth Lodge/Paul Gell) only a handful of seconds adrift. Third place on the vets podium went to “The Discombobulators”. (Gawaine Clark/Tony Racey.)
Thanks go to Properly Protected Ltd for their donation of £100 for the fastest lap competition, won by Jack Rowland. Other appreciation should be given out to all marshalls, first aiders, stall holders, administration teams, scrutineers, Rosies Country kitchen. Quadzilla were displaying quads, buggies and slam bikes, and there was even a sweet stall for the sweeter toothed riders !
On the day before the race, LEC put on a bit of daft with their “Endurothon Games”. (Dribble and Score/Sprint To Stand/Tyre Roll/Slow Bike Race and lastly the Wheelie Round) First place went to Harry Hinckley, runner up Shaun Nesbitt and third place Michael Harris. Harry received the “Games Crown” from manufacturer Paul Oates.
Well done to Spencer Smith, winner of the tyre in the tyre roll competition donated by MXR Motorcross Recycling/MX Racing ltd.
Riders are reminded that the next event (Round 5, and therefore back to 3 hours) is on the 10th of September. There is a change of venue however. The club is back to Dembleby as Lusby is awaiting a crop to be taken from the area.
Members club details are here https://www.facebook.com/groups/LincolnshireEnduroClub
And here for non members https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec20
Race Report by Martin Southwick – Images courtesy of Graeme Taylor/Sarah Bainbridge