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© Bob Mullins   

Dorset  Police MC

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Teamsnapper were very privileged to be allowed around the course the week previous to the event courtesy of Dorset Police MCC crew of Craig Redmond, Neil Deakin, Mark Barter, Adrian Needham and Peter Coles, Bovington Forest is near Bere Regis in the heart of Dorset and the forest is very dense and DPMCC needed to start clearing the way through the forest nearly 4 mths prior to the event and seeing first hand the work and man hours needed i salute DPMCC as the course was superb, dare i say a traditional forest Enduro, Brash and debris from making the course but also due to the Forestry Commission doing their seasonal thinning there was branches, logs, stumps and brash everywhere which we all know is so exhaustive to ride over and it made the course quite technical with some added tricky small climbs and downhills a couple of fire roads that which were the only respite part however they were very short which makes me think that Craig and Neil have a very sadastic nature.... but to top the icing we had a track of bog that was worthy of being called Welsh which caught many out especially in the early laps, course was approx 5 miles and the aim was a 14 minute championship lap which proved right.

On the day the sun was shining and temperature was mild , the burger van was in situ and a full entry ...... Perfect start to the day which ended as good as it started.

DPMCC are a team and work as a team and the whole signing on/scrutineering process goes like clockwork and with the timing system being done by Sue Babey/Shaun Tutt from Portsmouth MCRC we knew we were in good hands. Craig did his briefing in his usual enthusiastic but safety in mind way and i myself said a few words in memory of Tom Smith who was due to ride but died week previous in a racing incident at Mepal Moto park and we had a 1 minute silence which was respected by all.

CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS
I myself with 10 other photographers waited at the bog for the riders to come through (aren't we a sadastic lot lol) i thought i had the best spot till Si Wakely (Midwest Husaberg)went through leading and splatted me with mud and my two cameras were totally covered .... lesson learnt and took me a while to get cameras in a workable condition so i missed a lot of the melee but there was becoming a queue as the different classes came through and those that dared take a different line needed to be committed and aggressive which some were but the majority were getting into difficulties and the marshals were having to earn there free lunch and were well over knee deep in mud .... bikes everywhere when the leaders came through for there 2nd lap and the different lines these guys took was a spectacle to watch with local rider Bradley King (Gas Gas) got a cracking line on the inside and leading from Si Wakely (Midwest Husaberg) who was riding his first event after 5 mths off with injury, Tysom Maytom Jones (Midwest Husaberg) decided he was on a muck spreading mission and due to his line covered more than 20 riders with wet slime and all you could here above the screaming Husaberg as it made a trench through was lots of different voices screaming "I can't see" it was as funny as it was "Feeling sorry" for all involved others in the top few were Aaron Smith (Midwest Teamsnapper Husaberg), Craig Callow (Teamsnapper KTM) , Phil Studley (Yamaha) , Rob Carey (KTM) , Lawrence Catt (KTM), Matt Brown (KTM), Dan Lawry (ET James, Teamsnapper KTM) and Daniel Price (Yamaha) who were all very tight and bunched....... as the laps wore on and i made my way around the course Si Wakely had taken the lead and gapping 2nd place Bradley King who had an off due to over exuberance in overtaking a slower rider and eventually caused him to retire, Aaron Smith was going well and had just passed Tyson MJ but then hit a tree and snapped his hydraulic clutch cable which resulted in a pit stop and race over.... what has Aaron got to do to stop his run on bad luck as i believe he already sold his soul to the devil sometime back (Only Kidding Aaron), Phil Studley is always a danger man and is usually the careful starter and does not take silly moves and becomes a real threat mid race and just looked so composed and settled and his rhythm is so consistent and was around 5th spot, Rob Carey the Veteran ace from Hampshire looked composed but seemed to get held up often which hampered him, Lawrence Catt the giant from Portsmouth retired early as did Matt Brown, Daniel Price had found a groove and was riding well making up ground lap after lap..... Craig Callow was riding like a scolded cat and at one stage he looked like the one to catch Si Wakely but fitness was the top of Craig's menu when he designed course and Craig hit that wall with about 40 minutes left but still brought the Teamsnapper KTM home in 4th place, Tyson realised that Phil was gaining on him and made amends and put the hammer down for last 2 laps and still kept me entertained behind the lens and took a very well earned 2nd place on the Midwest Husaberg.... something tells me Tyson is going to have a great year.... he seems happier on the bike but more importantly happier off the bike and his riding seems so much more natural now ...... dare i say Tyson is becoming a flowing rider ..... Nah lol. Phil Studley tried his heart out but with hindsight he probably could have put hammer down earlier but still impressive and a pleasure to watch and photograph and apt to be on the 3rd spot of podium. However overall and Championship winner was Si wakely (Midwest Husaberg) who really was class to watch and not being disrespectful to the others but i always felt if he got pressured he could raise the bar if needed and hopefully this the start to a successful season for him .Rob Carey 5th, Daniel Price 6th (Very Mature Ride) Teamsnapper/ET James rider Dan Lawry did not have best of days but came home 8th, top 4 all did 13 laps with fastest lap going to Si wakely 13.22.

EXPERT CLASS
The top 3 in this class swapped places many times during the event and in the early stages it looked like Jonathan Tarr (KTM)who was a late entry was going to win but although getting the fastest lap in class with a 14.09 he just seemed to slow during the last hour but still finished a creditable 3rd, 2nd place went to the man in yellow Tom Paulley (KTM) who is so very quick but whether he gets held up or takes more fuel stops his times are very up and down and if more consistent he could have won but great rider to watch as very animated, but the winner in text book style who was the most consistent and looked most comfortable even with wearing green race trousers that clashed with the orange KTM (Only kidding Luke) went to Luke Stringer, only Luke and Paul managed 12 laps which shows how good and how hard they raced as did their best lap times 2 seconds different 1432 to 1434.
4th spot went to the very likeable and immaculately turned out James Boyce (KTM), 5th Chris Honeywill (KTM), 6th Euan Harrison (Teamsnapper Husaberg), 7th Darren Hounsell (KTM) and 8th Courtenay James (KTM). Was nice to see Isle of Wight rider Rob Taylor (Husaberg) back after work commitments cut his season short last year and first time out on his new Husaberg 125, On paper i had Gareth Hughes (KTM) for top 3 but i think he left his race home on his pillow as seemed quite happy riding round without a care in the world ...... wake up Gareth you have talent and bags of it ... so get focused for next weekend (Bollocking over).

VETERAN CLASS
I love this class as so many good riders and know most of them..... however i don't know much about the winner except his name is Paul Tossell and he rides a KTM, over 40 and bloody quick and very talented and has text book style and with the fastest lap of 1508 and 11 laps and deserved that top spot on podium, runner up was my good friend Paul Armstrong (Gas Gas) who was either smiling or grimacing all the way round lap after lap and seemed to be more relaxed (Maybe because his son Brad was not racing) Food for thought there Paul ..... leave Brad at home more lol .... Paul did have to work hard for 2nd as was running 3rd most of the day but managed to catch eventual 3rd place Wayne Player (KTM) who seemed to ride the perfect race and was not aware of any problems but the top 3 were all so close and all on 11 laps. 4th went to Michael Brooks (KTM), 5th Jeff Goss (Suzuki), 6th Steve Taylor (KTM).

CLUBMAN A
Due to the antics around the course by winner of this class it should be renamed the Clowns Class as #1 entertainer, fool, jester, good friend and not a bad rider either Stephen (With a P and not a V) Mulliner (Crescent Yamaha) was in a class of his own and so enjoys being on a m/cycle he makes it look easy.... except the bit where he fell in the bog and i was there to photograph ....... on a serious note a great win and won't be long before he makes that Expert Class of which he is destined and only rider in this class on 11 laps, 2nd went to the most consistent rider out there on the day Husqvarna rider and local lad Steve Cook who rode in reality the perfect race and am sure he was well pleased with result, 3rd went to the man in blue Andrew Smith (KTM) whom nearly every time i saw him was being held up by a slower rider and Andrew being a polite rider maybe waits a bit to long to overtake and loses some time but always good to see courteous riding, 4th went to Mark Goddard (KTM) whom i had marked down as Joe Gulliver (Think Joe pulled out and Mark was late entry/reserve)and 5th to Politics studying student and campaigner against haircutting the very long haired Tristan Robinson (Nick Robinson M/cycles Gas Gas) who does not care where he finishes as long as its above his friend and rival Aaron Dibnah who decided to stay in bed ..... oh no he didn't he finished 13th (Unlucky for some).

CLUBMAN B
Stand out winner in this class in the name of Justin Carpenter (KTM) whose riding style seemed to suit the conditions and course and what an aggressive rider who will take any prisoners and looked for every opportunity to pass others and very entertaining ta boot, was asked by 2 spectators if i knew who rider 216 was so he had made an impression and took the class win without being pressurised, 2nd was the very tall and good buddy of mine Keith Workman (Teamsnapper KTM) whom had a very lonely race in 2nd but rode well and more importantly very consistently lap after lap and was smiling at the end which is great to see and should be pleased with himself as only him and Justin did 10 laps, 3rd went to Mark Chadbourne (Honda) who moved up from Sportsman and justifiably so (well done Mark) and 4th went to my pre race favourite Leigh Adlem (KTM) who did some great lap times but lacked the consistency or maybe bike fitness... entertaining rider though.

SPORTSMAN CLASS
My pre race favourite Ben Warren (KTM) looked good for 1st or 2nd but somehow or something happened that caused him to drop times and eventually came home 4th although did get 2nd best lap time in class, 1st in the Sportsman Class wasGlen Newland (KTM) and 2nd was Matthew Jones (Yamaha). 3rd went to Chris Jones (Yamaha) who could not be mistaken in his blue and white stars kit, Teamsnapper rider Chris Welch (KTM) cam home 5th on terrain he is not used to and to be honest was his best ride to date.

LADIES
We all like and encourage Ladies/Girls to ride (as long as they don't beat us)(How true is that statement) but there was 3 racing at the event. Clare Taylor who has not ridden much for past 8 -10 mths but was out in the Expert class and finished with 10 laps and with more races behind her she will shock, best lap of 1624. Nina Thomas whom i know very little about but rode well and completed 8 laps i the Sportsman Class with a best lap of 2127. Katie Swaffield (KTM) whose Dad Richard was also riding did 7 laps in Sportsman Class and finished with a best lap of 2312 .
Well done Ladies ...... we need more ladies/girls in this sport (Oh no we don't i hear you cry lol)

SUMMARY
Lots of happy smiling faces, no serious injuries, great weather, superb organisation, awesome spectacle of racing, and not bad burgers either ........ only one question for Dorset Police MCC .... why do you guys with all your know how and enthusiasm only run one event a year ?? I personally really enjoyed and hopefully this is the start to a great season. Some great photos taken by my good lady Kaka and apprentice Connor(i want to ride)Smith so take a look www.Teamsnapper.co.uk 

Simon Wakely wins at Hethfelton
on a Husaberg

Simon Wakely won the 1st round of the Southern Centre Championship organised by Dorset Police at Hethfelton ahead of Bradley King.

Rich Troth of Teamsnapper writes " I was lucky enough to have done 1 lap of the course which was just 7 miles long and it was in superb condition and very different from the last visit here, it was so well thought out but designed for enjoyment so hats off to the Dorset MCC for creating such a great course, it had many narrow bits that always led to wider areas for passing and the fast bits were fast and the sandy bits were powder sand which made it tough and tricky and even the very experienced Danny Hall had a few wobbles in it.

The scrutineering/signing was very military style with no hold ups, good refreshment wagon so it was all looking good and nearly forgot.....very cold but sunshine for the whole day.

Championship class was won from start to finish by a very rejuvenated Si Wakely who was making his comeback ride and to me looks a different rider on the 2T Midwest Husaberg and he was really enjoying himself out there, welcome back Si, ironically 2nd place went to Si Wakely’s very good friend Bradley King on board the Gas Gas both Bradley and Si were the only riders to complete 13 laps, as a spectator i thought that both Si and Bradley could have upped the ante if needed, in a fine 3rd place was the very likeable Phil Studley whose riding style is always hardcore and never fails to entertain and a joy to watch and in 4th was the ever young Jack Twentyman were was at 100% every time i saw him and he looked very happy and comfortable in the forest conditions.

The expert class was won by Richard Milton on the Gas Gas with runner up spot going to Dave Coles on his KTM whom both achieved 12 laps but did not have it all their way but were by far the most consistent in the class and very much deserved the first two podium places, a fine 3rd by Chris Honeywill KTM who did well to hold of the chasing pack led by Matt Pemble and Ashley Scott.

Clubman A class was very tight for the top honours between the very likeable Ben Shuttleworth and local Bournemouth rider Joe Dyke with Ben taking the top spot and i personally find Ben’s riding errr..... entertaining... very on the edge and always gives 100% so well done Ben but Joe on his Yamaha pushed Ben so very hard, third went to Ian Hughes who was Mr Consistent lap after lap .

Clubman B was won by Wimborne’s Chris Marsh who again rode very consistently throughout the day and was one of the fastest through the long forest fire roads, the real battle in this class was between 2nd and 3rd which changed many times through the day but Rob Nash coming out the eventual winner with Colin Wilkins 3rd,would also like to mention what a great ride in 4th place by the very friendly Keith Workman.

Over 40’s was a 4 horse race with anyone of the 4 capable of the win and it really came down to who wanted it most and that was the very consistent Steven Bird KTM followed by Michael Brooks and Shaun Bunney Taking 3rd, 4th was Chris Stanger from Horsham riding Husky 250.

Sportsman class was the biggest class of the day with the top 2 really outshining the rest of the group and would be more suited in the clubman classes with 10 laps each but the race between them was great and the lead changed very regularly and both riders were trying very hard but the victory went to Ian Randall and runner up ex Motocross wizard Leigh Adlem , 3rd place could have been anyone of 6 riders it was that competitive but the final podium went to David Sawtell KTM.

Bradley writes "The Dorset Police crew always put on a great annual event and this year was no exception with a 15minute lap through the forestry. Dry weather meant near perfect conditions but overnight frost caused a very slippery track especially on the fire roads.

I got a top 5 start and quickly moved into the lead within a few hundred metres. Si Wakely was soon in 2nd and we had a big gap on the rest of the Championship riders by the end of lap1. I didn't know how hard to push with the ice and trials tyre and Si sneaked past at the end of lap 2. We then had a good battle in and out of the lapped riders until a small mistake whilst passing a backmarker led to me clipping a tree and going down. I lost sight of Si then and struggled to know how hard to push to regain the time. At the half way point I entered the pits just as Si was leaving so knew I wasn't to far back. I kept the gap within a couple of minutes and after an extra pit stop on the last lap finished in a comfortable 2nd, still feeling fresh and happy with my riding.
Thanks to everyone who organised the event, all my helpers and all my sponsors.

 Results - Photos 

Ben Shuttleworths won his class on his first outing in 2011 on the Rieju MRT450 - Details

Dorset Police Motorcycle Club
Bovington Forest Hare and Hounds enduro - Sunday 7th February 2010

Dorset Police MCC returns to their excellent venue of Bovington Forest for their annual hare and hounds race on February 7th. The event will be held entirely on Forestry Commission land and for 2010 they have been granted extensive access to the forest, thereby enabling the Police club to plan a superb new course. With a lap of six miles this venue offers a fantastic selection of different terrains and will ensure all competitors enjoy a traditional forest enduro. Running as an A.C.U. event all riders will be required to run on rear trials tyres. Parking will be on the forest gravel roads with easy access for everyone. This small club has a history of providing a real enduro challenge which, suites and test all abilities. With a limit of 150 places and ACU day licences available riders should enter early to avoid disappointment.