Jack Rowland got back to winning ways at the weekend, taking his fourth Lincolnshire Enduro Championship victory of the year at Ashby Puerorum, which was Round 5 of the 2024 Series.
At one point just a month ago, it looked like Jack was heading for a possible clean sweep of triumphs throughout the year. He did, though, succumb to a ‘mechanical’ last time out at Willingham. In this the 5th round of the 2024 series with the Back Office Pro/Lincolnshire Enduro club, everything lined for the South Yorkshire youngster once again, though, as he claimed the win by over 3 minutes riding his GasGas 250. Only the first three riders in this the Experts class procured 11 laps at the end of the 3-hour Hare and Hounds event, with last year’s Champion and leading contender Dan Johnson ‘dropping’ to 3rd place this time out. Slotting in between the two lads was Lucas Travers in 2nd place. The time difference between Jack and Dan was exactly 6 minutes, with Lucas splitting those two riders almost exactly, time-wise. A blanket could have been thrown over the riders on the first (shorter) lap, but once into his stride, Jack edged away, taking those few vital seconds less per lap over his nearest rivals. The latest table shows that reigning champ Dan Johnson leads once again for 2024, with Lucas in 2nd place 4 points adrift, and Jack in 3rd another 4 points behind that.
Ashby Puerorum seems to be a favourite of many riders. As well as the weather playing ball this time out, the club managed to procure some extra ‘countryside’ to ensure the 102 riders and bikes could perhaps relax after the excursions into the wooded areas/Moto X, etc. One or two very light showers may have made the 6-mile course a little ‘slape’ towards the race end for ten minutes or so, but otherwise, the going was perfect.
The Clubman class continues to play host to the ‘usual suspects’ at the front end. It was, in fact, a direct copy of the race result back in June at Willingham. The main difference this time out was the winning margin for the victor, Nicholas King. He took the win last time by just a few seconds, whereas it was a little more comfortable on Sunday, with almost 6 minutes to play with. That runner-up spot went to Darren Wells again, from 3rd-placed lad Thomas Hodgkinson. The gap this time between these two riders was a lot closer than a few weeks ago, just over a one minute. This is Nicholas’s 4th win of the year, and it sees him further stretch away from his nearest rival at the top end for the year; he must be odds on favourite for the title in his class. (74 points). Alex Cumberland could only manage a 7th this time out, but that was enough for him to stay in the runner-up place overall, but only on equal points with Darren Wells (52).
One of the ‘aged’ classes, the Over 50’s, produced one of the closest finishes of the day, with just 40 seconds dividing the winner, Gareth Lodge, from the runner-up, Alan Vissian. The only other lad in the group on 10 laps when the event ended was Andy Jackson in 3rd spot. This 4th win of the year for Gareth sees a slender lead for the class title eked out just a little bit more. With three rounds to go, he now leads by 7 points overall. With a 4th place on Sunday, Ian Shepherd secures the runner-up spot for now whilst the aforementioned Alan Vissian lays in 3rd, a further 7 points behind that.
Staying with these classes, the Over 60’s sees the continued conflict between Kevin Bartle Sr and Mark Peckitt for the 2024 title. Kevin had the upper hand this time out and cuts Mark’s lead for the year to just 1 point. Kev’s winning margin was towards 7 minutes. With Paul Oates’s finishing once again in 3rd spot, this result possibly sees a place on the podium cemented for the year.
In the ever-competitive Over 40’s section, a couple of front runners bettered their positions from the last race back in June. Andy Myers, who was runner-up then, has now taken a hat trick of victories with this 6-minute win. Richard Cookland also went one better than his 3rd at Willingham. Also on 10 laps was 3rd placed rider Dan Brown (Another 6 minutes adrift). This win for Andy ensures a 14-point gap at the top of the table in his class. Lee Hattersley, who didn’t start at Ashby is still in 2nd, with Richard’s runner-up spot keeping him in the hunt, back in 3rd place
To the Sportsman classes and to another pilot who went better this time out than last in the 2T division, Christian Humphrey. In the Experts class in 2023, we saw how consistency is the key to success. The same may apply to this class and this year’s campaign. Christian leads the group, but this was his first win of the year. He has, however, been putting together a string of top 3 places to go with a maximum tally this time; he now has a slender lead of 5 points overall. Christian’s win was a little under 2 minutes over Jake Wilson in the runner-up place, with Matthew Valentine taking the other podium place. All these lads ended with nine laps completed. Jodie Lambley is in 2nd place for the year, with 3rd spot staying at William Tarrant’s door. This class was the biggest of the day, with 21 entrants.
The 4T’s produced a very similar result to the June outing, with Charlie Edwards once again taking the spoils from Paige Felipes. Even the winning margin was comparable to the last race, once again 6 minutes. Barry Atherton took the 3rd placing; all lads having achieved 9 laps. This class is probably the tightest of the lot going into the latter stages of the year, with just 10 points covering the top 6 riders. Ross Pearson leads the way, with Paige Felipes just 2 points behind and then another 4 points in arrears is Harry Hall in 3rd spot.
Neil Tapper in the Slam group got back to winning ways after Harry Hinkley stopped Neil’s run of form back at Willingham. Harry had to settle for 2nd place this time, with Joshua Waring completing the top trio, albeit a full lap behind. Neil has a healthy lead over Harry for the title, with Kyle Ardito bringing up the rear
Once again a similar outcome was seen in the Trail/Classic, with Sean Price taking maximum points. Andrew Malkinson keeps up the pressure though with another runner up place.
Only one Beginner took to the start line at this event (Chris Hammond) but Beginners and all other riders are reminded that the next round is at a new venue, Ingleby which is between Gainsboro’ and Lincoln.
Details are here for members. .https://www.facebook.com/groups/LincolnshireEnduroClub… or for non-members here..https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016
Race Report by Martin Southwick – Images by Graeme Taylor