|
enduro
news |
|
|
SETRA |
|
  Mark
Andrew Enduro
Always look forward to SETRA Tidworth events as always full entries and well organised and this was no different, got there nice an early but still beaten by the Armstrongs, Daniel Taylor and Matt Brown who still looked half asleep from the previous nights SEEC awards, the vans soon started to roll in with some faces i did not recognise but mainly the same old suspects and great to catch up with a few i had not seen for a while like Steve White, Chris Davey, Craig Redmond, Richard Coles, Ian Ballard, Mark Hayes, Steve Head, Steve Bird, Ian Watt and Wayne Barnett. Conditions were damp n sticky but only on the surface so the first lap would be dodgy as chalk and clay but certain areas would be proper messy and as all regulars at Tidworth know it takes a lot of washing to get Tidworth out of your bikes and gear. I did a lap on the quad, the start was on top of the hill near the paddock that went down through grassland and twisted through some very small copses and then onto the first of the chalky climbs that weaved through a small copse and down into the valley that took you over acres and acres of grassland that looked flat but was full of hazards like tank tracks underneath and some very big craters, you then came across the boggy area that needed some careful navigation as very boggy and deep in places, a small lake was next that the riders skimmed the edge and then into the big wood which was a series of climbs littered with roots, this then brought back round to the refuelling area and start a good 8 mile circuit. Most of the people i spoke to love the way SETRA do a Hare n Hounds event but with a Time Card start ..... having set time to start and go off in groups of five which does stop that manic first corner melee and spreads the field so the faster guys can navigate past slower riders easier. Experts Clubman A Teamsnapper sponsored Chris Stanger was out on his new bike (Freestyle Husqvarna) and running up with the top five until an exhaust problem caused him to pull out, Aaron (Dibs) Dibnah did not look his best out there and did not seem happy with conditions... come on Dibs you can do better. Other Notables....Stu Jackson, Chris Pratt, and Mark Yerbury also 12 laps, Ian Clarke, Graham Lovell, Steve White, Shane (Who loves ya) Babey, Simon Gates and Darren Osbourne all with 11 laps. Clubman B Sportsman Mark Greenbanks Dad John had a nasty fall and needed treatment so best wishes John from SETRA and Teamsnapper. Also a personal message from Dan Lewis (Team Dibnah KTM) who was running top 3 in Clubman A until a nasty off that resulted in collarbone break and he would like to say thank you to the rider(s) that stopped and helped, the marshals and of course the superb Paramedics. Thank you SETRA and all entries as had a great entertaining time. Results Report By Teamsnapper
Had a bit of rain two days before the event which made the going very tacky in the wet chalky areas but the course itself was in super condition on the upper plains and woodland sections, Event was sold out well before the event with is great news for SETRA as they put alot of effort into their events. The off was at 1000 for the first 4 riders and the format was four riders released every minute which to me is a superb way to avoid that melee at some starts, Rob Mussell (KTM) had the number 1 plate and was first away but the number 13 bike of Ian Watt soon took the lead on his Husqvarna, it was soon evident after the first 45 minutes that Expert rider Dave Biles (KTM) would be the man to catch who seems to relish in these conditions and never looked fazed from start to finish and was deserved winner on the day, runner up spot in the expert class went to Dan Bray (KTM) who rode very well but got caught behind slower riders a couple of times which held him up a bit but still managed to equal winners 12 laps, 3rd place in the expert class went to Ashley Williamson (KTM) with 11 laps. Clubman A Class went to Peter King on his TM who had a superb ride and really was one of the most entertaining riders of the day and won the class unchallenged with 11 laps, great battle between Reg Sheppherd (KTM) and Thomas Moss (Yamaha) for 2nd and 3rd place both achieving 10 laps but the higher podium position went to Reg on his KTM. Also in this class was Tim Harvey (Ex touring car champion, TV commentator and Porsche cup race winner) who came a fantastic 4th place on his Yamaha. Clubman B a very competitive class with all 3 podium finishers all completed 10 laps and over the 3 hours the top 3 positions in this class changed constantly, coming in 3rd position on his Honda was Gavin Cole and local farmer Graham Lovell (KTM) was 2nd, and the top podium position going to the KTM mounted Simon Gates. Would also like to mention Ben Pope who travelled a long way to ride his BMW 1200 and in these conditions and the weight of his machine is a credit to him with 4 laps. Sportsman class was won by rider Elliot Croft on a Honda who completed 9 laps and was deserved winner in this class however the battle for 2nd and 3rd was much tighter with the Honda mounted Darren Mason piping local mercedes truck dealer service manager Bob Steel on his Husaberg for 2nd place. Sidecar class had a good entry and a mention must go to Eiran Rees who managed 7 laps of this very demanding tacky circuit with only 1 arm, who doesn’t let his disability stop his enjoyment and i myself witnessed his outfit rolling over but sadly my camera was not at the ready but fair play to their mettle for getting back on and finishing the day, however the winners of this class with 10 laps on their husky Alun Davies and James Ferguson with runner up spot going to Tim and Sam Wilkinson on their KTM with 9 laps and the final podium place was Andrew Thomas and Dean Welsh on their KTM with 8 laps. - Provisional Results - Photos
A round of applause to all 120 riders who turned up at the SETRA "Mark Andrews" Hare n Hounds at Tidworth nr Andover in the freezing conditions. The start was at 10am and it was minus 3 and the course SETRA had designed did no favours to anyone and was not for the meek, with some great but very tricky climbs that were even tricky for the very experienced riders, there was plenty of frozen water about as well that once broken was very ice cold water, then there were the cavernous ruts that the Army tanks make which kept riders very much on there toes, however the ones that were not concentrating found themselves many a time parted from their machines, many riders came in after 1 lap just to try and get some feeling back into their fingers, it was a real test of man, machine, guts and that much needed ingredient "The will to finish". The star of the day was David Biles (lef) who won the overall and Expert class with 10 laps on the big 530 KTM, he did not have it all his own way as 2nd and 3rd place Adam Kerr 450 KTM and John Lister 450 KTM respectively were also on 10 laps and it really was a sprint finish, well done David, sadly 2 of the pre favourites Freddie Broadway and rejuvenated Robert Taylor both retired early. Clubman A was a one man show with only winner Aaron Fudge on his 300 KTM managing 9 laps and a determined ride it was with many a time Aaron looking out of control, 2nd and 3rd Andy Fifield 250 KTM and Reg Sheppard 250 KTM respectively had their very battle going on with Andy just clinching 2nd over Reg with both managing 8 laps. Clubman B was a three man battle with all on 8 laps and the only 3 riders in clubman B to do 8 laps but top honours went to Husaberg rider Glenn Morgan on his 450 beast, a very close 2nd and 3rd went to Ian Clarke 450 Husaberg and Graham Lovell 450 KTM respectively, but all 3 were in with the shout for victory, a very good ride for Glenn. Sportsman class was dominated by Dave Phillips 250 KTM with a fantastic 8 laps with another Husaberg battle for 2nd and 3rd with Teamsnappers very own Rich Troth 390 Husaberg just edging Rodney Crowden 450 husaberg for 2nd place, both Rich and Rodney were only Sportsman to complete 7 laps. The MX class was won by Michael Caufield with 6 laps on his 250 Honda, 2nd was Nick Eagle 250 Honda with 4 laps and 3rd with 3 laps completed John Doddy 250 KTM. A very hard event and well done to all who competed. All photos from todays event www.teamsnapper.co.uk Report written by Teamsnapper |
Mark
Andrews" Hare n Hounds