On Sunday the 15th of September, the Woodbridge DMCC hosted their final race meeting for 2024 with round 6 of the ACU Eastern Centre championship, sponsored by Stebbings car superstore and the Norton Way Honda Group.
A busy 12 race schedule with top Expert and fast Junior riders all gearing up for battle on one of the country’s most pristine tracks. With club member Sam Nunn (John Banks Honda) leading the championship and with his closest rival and team-mate Lewis Tombs unable to race, Nunn knew that the title could be wrapped up at his home track.
In Premier class race one, Tom Grimshaw (Apico Honda) powered his 450 to the front with Nunn and the returning Jake Nicholls (Crendon Tru7 Honda) close behind. Wildcard Chris Mills was also quick out of the gate and looked to chase down the local regulars on the first lap. Nicholls waited for the right moment to strike and flew past Grimshaw and into the lead to the delight of the crowd, while Mills made a move into third past Nunn who was having to defend from the current champion Luke Parker (MPM Kawasaki). Nicholls would then check out and go on to take the race win ahead of Grimshaw, Mills, Nunn and Parker, with Dylan Woodcock on his Honda in 6
th.
Race Two in the Premier Class would see Tom Murphy gain the holeshot and lead in the opening lap, with Nicholls charging hard behind. Grimshaw and Nunn were locked in battle as Whittle (Lings KTM) was firmly in the top 5 as Chris Mills unfortunately didn’t finish due to bike issues. Nicholls breezed past Murphy and would lay down a brisk pace at the front, too quick for those behind leaving him to take the chequered flag for the second time. Grimshaw again in second, Murphy home in a solid third ahead of Whittle and Nunn.
The final Premier Class race of the day, and Sam Nunn grabbed the holeshot but before he could even think about his line through the next turn, Nicholls would leap his way through into the lead and would decimate the rest of the pack from then on in. Nunn and Grimshaw again reignited their rivalry and it was latter who would move through and into second. Parker again rode well in the top five with Woodcock never too far away and Liam Bennett (Apico KTM) also showing well in the top ten. Lap after lap Nicholls would increase his lead and never put a foot wrong, crossing the line to complete a hat-trick of race wins in impressive style. Grimshaw would again finish in second ahead of the Champion elect Sam Nunn, and Parker finish fourth ahead of Woodcock.
The overall in the Premier Class would go to Nicholls, Grimshaw in second and Nunn in third. The Junior class overall would go to James Rowsell, ahead of Harry George and Jordan Andrews in third. Junior Championship leader Tim Warnes ended the day with seventh overall and also managed to secure the 2024 Junior title.
The Support Group A victory went to Jack Whitlam with a 2-2-2 ahead of Justin Whyatt and George Foames in third overall.
The Support B Group honours were taken by James Taylor with a 3-1-3 ahead of Tai Elvin-Andrews in second with a 2-3-5. In third was Aidan Weston with a 4-9-2 finish.
In Group C, the overall was taken by Brendon Reeve with a 1-2-1, ahead of Joseph Mulley-Forsdike in second with a 2-1-2. In third was Wayne Fulcher with a 4-4-5 finish.
Race report by Stefan Hicks
Images courtesy of Image Rich Media/Richard Blyth
Full results can be found here -
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2804383