Round one of the Eastern Motocross Championships took place on Sunday, hosted by the hard working Halstead club.
Race one saw a full line up of expert-graded riders competing in the premier class, and it was Brad Tomlin,(GH Yamaha), who led the pack, chased by Brad Woodroffe, Jordan Moxey and teenager Dylan Woodcock.
Woodcock had set the fastest time in practise, and was soon into second place and was closing in on Tomlin. Halfway through the 20minute long race, the team green Kawasaki youngster snatched the lead to pull away and take the win,followed by Tomlin, Woodroffe and 2015 champion, Luke Benstead.
It was Benstead, (GH Husqvarna), who stormed to the front in race two, with a big bunch of riders battling over second place. Hadleigh Essex rider Woodcock was soon into second place, heading Tomlin, 2016 champion, Luke Parker,( GH Husqvarna ) and Ben Cole, and Shaun Southgate , who later retired with a rear wheel puncture. Woodcock closed the gap on Cambridgeshire’s Benstead, but it was Benstead who took the win from Woodcock, followed by Tomlin, Parker and Declan Whittle with Woodroffe in sixth place
The third and final premier class race saw South African Woodroffe snatch the lead, chased by the consistent Tomlin, with Woodcock and Benstead battling for third place. Whittle was setting the fastest lap times though, and passed Parker, Benstead and Woodcock after twelve minutes of the race. Whittle then moved to second place as he stormed by Tomlin, but just failed to reel in the winner, Woodroffe.
The Junior championship races were also closely fought. Alex Hornsby was the early leader in race one, but slipped off his Suzuki, leaving Ryan McDonnell leading from Chelmsford youngster, Rheis Morter, with Joe Jeffries and Ipswich rider, Aaron Holloway chasing hard. Morter took the lead at half distance, leaving McDonnell holding off Jeffries for second place. Meanwhile, Hornsby was chasing through the pack to grab fourth from Holloway.
Holloway stormed to the front in race two, with Hornsby and Morter disputing second place throughout the race. Essex rider, Dexter Wharton, was also riding well to claim fourth at the finish. Again Holloway led the forty strong pack in the third race, but Morter was in a determined mood and snatched the lead to take the win and overall top spot, to lead the series. Holloway was riding well for second place and was rewarded with second overall on the day. Hornsby retired from race three, leaving Sam Harwood in third place, chased home by the impressive Wharton, and Jeffries.
The support races saw Luke Nolan winning all three group A races with ease, leaving Edward Pegram and Jack Janes to settle for second and third overall. The support B group saw Sam Boydell winning the first two races from Ipswich Kawasaki rider, Shaun Grimwood, but Boydell had to settle for third place in the final race, behind the winner, Michael Emsworth and Lowestoft club rider, Daniel Knights.
Round two takes place this Sunday at the Mildenhall motocross facility, hosted by the Littleport club.
Once again, a good entry of expert graded riders, and a full line up of junior grade riders will be in action. The circuit is behind the Mildenhall speedway venue, and racing starts at around 12 noon.
Admission is just £10 for adults, with concessions to senior citizens and children.
Round one of the Eastern Motocross Championships
Results. Experts Premier class overall.
1st Dylan Woodcock Team Green Kawasaki 65 points
2nd Brad Tomlin GH Yamaha 62
3rd Brad Woodroffe MB Husqvarna 60
4th Luke Benstead GH Husqvarna 59
5th Declan Whittle Herts MX Husqvarna 53
6th Luke Parker GH Husqvarna 49
7th George Grigg Pettitt Lings Honda 39
8th Jordan Moxey Geartech Husqvarna 37
9th Steve Bixby Aim KTM 28
10th Shaun Southgate Herts MX Honda 27
Junior grade championship overall.
1st Rheis Morter Yamaha 70 points
2nd Aaron Holloway Kawasaki 63
3rd Dexter Wharton Kawasaki 51
4th Sam Harwood Honda 50
5th Joe Jeffries Kawasaki 41
6th Alex Hornsby Suzuki 40
Support group A Overall.
1st Luke nolan KtM
2nd Edward Pegram Husqvarna
3rd Jack Janes Yamaha
4th Will Nice Honda
5th Joe Scillitoe Kawasaki
6th Daryl Wisbey Suzuki
Support group B overall.
1st Sam Boydell Honda
2nd Daniel Knights Yamaha
3rd Michael Emsworth Kawasaki
4th Gary Scarlett KTM
5th Thomas Clarkson KTM
6th Shaun Grimwood Kawasaki
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