  Ice-Man Burroughs wins in the snow
5th February
Report Rich Troth
Photos
- Results
Freestyle Husqvarna rider James Burroughs kept his cool and won with class
the popular Witley Classic Enduro which was covered in 4 inches of snow and
with temperatures in the minus degrees which gave you the feeling you were in
Wales and not on the Surrey/Hampshire border, Over 180 riders entered 3
special tests (Extreme/Enduro/MX) course was set out by Arnoud Didey and Rob
Carey whom pushed the boundaries to make it as they had promised a Classic
Enduro.
We traveled up on Saturday to the Surrey/Hampshire border in
freezing temperatures to have a look at the course as had been told
it would be over 15 miles with 3 special tests and we needed to see
what Arnoud Didey/Rob Carey had designed and would it live up to the
title of "Classic Enduro Course" and what a course it was
and took me over 3 hrs on the quad to cover all including tests
albeit I am not the best quad driver out there and found certain
places far too narrow for the quad (well that's my excuses).
The course was mainly forest going with a sandy/earthy soil, a few
fire roads, some mushy bits that were frozen and 3 special tests that
the riders were expected to ride each lap except sportsman who missed
the extreme test, the extreme test was not over extreme but due to
the ice it would be difficult/tricky for some, the Forest/Enduro test
was very very icy and still had pools of water sheltered by the dense
wood with lots of brash/stumps this test ironically on the day ended
up more extreme than the extreme test and the 3rd test was a MX test
on a purpose built track that had banks/climb/ and some jumps but the
ground was solid, hats off to the Witley crew as they had a lot of
helping hands out there and all were frozen solid as it was a
monumental task to get a course that big ready in such a short space
of time.
Oh how things differ in a few hours ..... 4 genuine inches of
settled snow over night which changed many things including the front
of the Teamsnapper Van which smashed into a solid metal post so maybe
time to scrap the old girl, the witley crew were running around
trying to change and reassess things, I myself was signed in to do
the scrutineering with my good friend Nick Robinson.
A few people turned up and did not like the conditions so decided
not to ride but spectate, a few did not turn up due to the adverse
travelling conditions depending where you lived, but due to the Welsh
Snowrun being cancelled some hours before we had extras turning up
which led to over 180 riders signing on, I very nearly got blinded by
the contrast of brilliant white snow and the riding kits of the Isard
brothers (Dan n Matt) who definitely win my award for the smartest
brightest kit and immaculately turned out bikes, was good to be
scrutineering as got to speak to most riders for quick chat and so
many questions about my mangled van. Rob Mussell was having his
comeback ride after many months off with injury and too be honest he
must be barking mad in these conditions (Obviously more macho than
brains lol), however he did manage 1 lap, Dan Lawry was proudly
showing his new kit off with his dad Peter in the background wearing
sunglasses lol.
Rob Carey did the riders briefing very much erring on the side of
safety after he had been out on course and also made the specials
untimed on first lap which was the right thing to do.
Championship Class
Tony Williamson (KTM) came onto the MX special test like a man
possessed, and as ever his commitment was 100% sadly Tony does not
believe points make prizes as he is simply a committed racer and
gives his all and was flying and the conditions were not unnerving
for him but the event was short lived due to a mechanical woe on his
second lap, Daniel Taylor (KTM) sadly fell in front of me on one of
the MX tests but recovered well and once he is used to the new 350
KTM after riding 125 2T the last couple of seasons he will be a
contender, Matt Brown (Hotwheels KTM) also had a DNF but unsure why
as was still running after 5 laps and looked comfortable in the
Championship class after moving up from Experts, Danny Haslam (DJMP
KTM) whom I briefly met at scrutineering for the first time albeit I
know of him came home 4th, he was dicing between 2nd and 3rd for most
of the event and understand he had a problem somewhere which hampered
his progress but a great rider and look forward to seeing more of
him, 3rd went to Teamsnapper/ET James KTM rider Dan Lawry who to his
own admission did not enjoy the conditions due to some very scary
moments for him and as ever the Pro he decided that it's a long
season and points make prizes and rode accordingly, the top 3
Championship class were the only riders to complete 6 laps, Good
friend Jack Turner (The KTM Centre 250 KTM) was my tip for the win
(which I must stop as it's like a curse for Jack) who rode like Jack
does, totally focused with that grit and determination that makes him
the class rider he is and it makes no odds what conditions you throw
at him and a totally deserved runners up spot, The winner of the
Overall/Championship class was Freestyle Husqvarna rider James
Burroughs who rode the perfect race with such consistency lap after
lap and in my honest opinion James had a Trump card in his pocket as
those who don't know James don't realise how fit the man is as it his
living being a PTI/Personal Trainer/Dietician of high qualification
and the endurance involved in these conditions played into his hand
and along with his great ability to ride a bike had the perfect
armoury and was a great spectacle to watch, Well done James.
Expert Class
Maybe I should keep to my predictions as when Dan Bray(KTM) turned up
as late entry for scrutineering I knew Dan would be the man to beat
and he did it with Championship test times and has a great skill in
making me go Arrgh ... as he gets out of shape so often that I feel
he is off and i give a big Arrgh etc but each and every time he saves
it and I have now come to the conclusion that's his style and I love
it, not only did Dan win Expert class but also won my award for
dirtiest helmet at scrutineering lol. Runner up and growing with
confidence each outing was Gareth Hughes (KTM) who rode the best I
have seen this season and it might even put a smile on his Dads face
( I did say might lol ), 3rd went to regular podium finisher Daniel
Rose (Central Bikes KTM) who rode all the tests very consistently and
had good battle with Gareth throughout the day. Other notables in
class ....How the saying "so near, yet so far" must have
ringed through Malcolm Coles (Finch Cycles/Teamsnapper Yamaha) ears
as rode superbly and adapted well to the conditions but got stuck
somewhere I believe in the going and lost time which was heart
breaking for the #13 rider.....Oh #13 ....well enough said but a
great consolation and good points for 4th, Dan Warner (LTL Racing TM)
who did what was asked and is more than capable of quicker test times
and prefers the faster type events but 5th place and points are a
great reward for the Normandy MCC rider. 6th place went to Danny
Andrews (Husqvarna). Sadly James Foxley (KTM) had an incident that
shortened his day but would like to thank him for wearing the
Teamsnapper crash helmet.
Veteran A Class
I have written about Euan Harrison (GGR, Teamsnapper Husaberg) many
times and although I repeat myself many times and deep down I feel
has the same condition as Benjamin Button (The Curious Life Of
Benjamin Button) as the man seems to get younger and faster as he
ages and with test times worthy of championship riders, a fantastic
example to all and sundry of text book riding and made the win his
from the off, Many other riders/officials and spectators were in awe
of his times in these conditions and consistent with it, we salute
you Euan.
Dan Goodwin (KTM) and Ian Mitchell (KTM) had a great battle with the
tables turning in favour of Sidcup MCC rider Dan today, they are both
have so different styles with the more consistent calculated style of
Croydon MCC rider Ian and the more aggressive animated style of Dan,
it will be a great class to watch and one of my favourites, love the
riding kit Dan. 4th was Yamaha mounted Nick Dyer who just seemed to
lack bike fitness as went off like a scolded cat but seemed to tire
as the event wore on, 5th went Alex Taylor (TM UK) who rode well
despite carrying a back injury and really struggled on lap 3 so erred
on the side of caution and pulled out as going to be a long season,
Sadly Chris Stanger (Teamsnapper/Freestyle) Husqvarna although
carrying a virus and looked like shit (Kakas words not mine!) only
made half a lap with a bike problem but stayed on to support and help
others during stops.
Clubman A Class
Big class with many top Club A riders with the top 3 all being good
friends of Teamsnapper and could not be happier for them, 3rd went to
Dan Brundell (Teamsnapper KTM) who turned up a bit disappointed as
thought as I did that he had got runners up spot last week at RAF
Ardua event but was then disqualified and no reason given up to now,
so for Dan (The Man in Black) it was a great result and really had to
fight off 4th place David Machinek (LRS Mech KTM) for that podium
place, 2nd went to Steve White (Teamsnapper KTM) who sometimes I feel
holds back as I did with this event but am proved wrong yet again as
his style is so casual he looks like he could push harder (Sorry
Steve lol) and what the hell do I know, great result and hoping this
is the start to a great SEEC season, but the winner and someoned
dedicated to the sport of Enduro James Smith (Teamsnapper KTM) who is
a calculated rider who assesses and makes a plan and that plan is to
finish and score points and will balance whether it's worth taking a
risk over solid points, today he rode not only with that attitude but
had great pace with consistency and am sure his dad Colin will be
smiling smugly to himself , well done James, 5th went to Andrew De
Merist (Husqvarna) with some very consistent test times, 6th also
Husqvarna mounted Andrew Wiseman whom looked very confident on the MX
test, Dex Bayne Powell (KTM) 11th, sadly Elliot Davis(KTM) whom I had
ear marked for the win and was probably fastest in class despite
falling off in front of us ended up a DNF but look out for Elliot in
future rounds, his Dad Phil (KTM) finished a creditable 8th, last
year's Clubman B overall winner Marc Morley Freer(Gas Gas) came 7th
whom has made a very successful jump into the A class, Jamie Moller
(Gas Gas) lost too much time in one of the tests but finished for
9th, Michael Johnson (KTM) came home 10th. It was great to see Ali
Gilmour back after a very serious accident back in October 2010 and
he was very anxious at the start but once going I could see his eyes
smiling at me and he was loving it and was quick... damn quick and
could have won class but again he did not want to overdo things and
pulled out halfway, let's hope we see him back regularly soon. Other
Notables that DNF were John Brown (Whiteways KTM), Tristian Robinson
(Nick Robinson M/Cycles/Teamsnapper/Maxima Oils Gas Gas), Aaron
Dibnah (Team Dibby KTM), Karl Robinson (Team Flossy Husqvarna) who
lost an argument with a tree, Barry Keeys (Team Flossy KTM), Craig
Kieck(Suzuki), David Underdown (Husaberg), Matthew Hubbard (Halcyon
Books KTM) who prides himself on his immaculate KTM that has every
conceivable extra that sadly took a tumble one too many times and
looked a bit sorry but Matthew still came home 12th.
Veteran B Class
We all know and love the Vet B class winner Husaberg rider and rebel
Tom Moore who actually shouts to me and Kaka as he goes by usually
out of control and has this sort of hang on and Baarrrpp style which
is a must to watch but to most riders would be scared but not Tom he
always grins and enjoys riding, if he ever composed himself god help
us all, some great test times and some great moments, well done Tom,
and Tom could not have been happier than his good friend and fellow
rebel Tim Newman (KTM) came second and only had one blip on his
tests, 3rd went to LFB Rider Kevin Reid (JCM Construction/AG Lifts
KTM) who rode a good race and very consistent and feel this is a good
start to his campaign, 4th went the inspirational Peter Lawry (KTM)
who never gives up and has such a love for this sport and earned that
place by yet again that word consistency, especially on the going
which was so important in the conditions and contributed immensely to
his finishing position, 5th to Husaberg mounted Peter Moller who is
very nearly back to full fitness after missing last season through
injury and as with all the top 7 in this class managed 4 laps which
is impressive, am not really sure what happened to 6th spot holder
Andrew Sharp (KTM) as he looked so quick on the tests and just seemed
happy on the bike and was surprised he did not finish higher but may
have had problems, 7th went to Ian Mace (KTM) who seemed to have
problems in the Forest test and fortunate to recover with some good
other test times.
Other notables, Hans Gilham (KTM) who again looked happy and settled
on the bike and earmarked him for a top 5 but sadly DNF, Matthew
Seare (Husky)DNF, Tony Wilde (TM) who looked great on MX test but DNF,
Steven Wass (Gas Gas) DNF.
Clubman B Class
Ian Hill (Gas Gas) won this massive class but had to work and earn it
and he really did excel on the tests especially the MX where he
looked so comfortable and great riding style for us snappers and it
was James Coneron (KTM) who made Ian work so hard, whereas every lap
James' bike sounded sicker and sicker and maybe had loose or damaged
exhaust but he brought her home in style, 3rd went to our good friend
Andrew Gilden (KTM) who can be a little anxious at start of events
but after witnessing my crash in van I think he realised that maybe
his day wasn't going to be so bad and as ever Andrew rode with
constancy and grew with confidence as event wore on, 4th Alexis
Russell (KTM), 5th Shane Babey (Babey Racing KTM) who actually did 4
laps (1 too many) which I am sure will be only beneficial for the
PMCRC rider in getting bike fit, 6th LFB rider and Enduro
entrepreneur Zade Allasad (SMD/Lonsdale Design/Teamsnapper/By Design/Husqvarna)
whom I felt rode the best I have ever seen him and looked confident
and comfortable throughout, 7th Russ Johns (KTM), 8th Keith Workman (Teamsnapper
KTM) , 9th George Thompson (Gas Gas) who is more acrobatic than an
acrobat whilst on a motorcycle lol, 10th Honda Mounted Robin Scarry,
11th Dom Wilson (Honda), Richard Jones (Gas Gas) 12th, 13th Paul Todd
(Honda), 14th Lee Whitcombe (Team Babey KTM), 15th Bob Hardwick
(Honda), 16th mark Horswell (Honda) and final finisher Nick
Littlecott (KTM) in 17th.
Sadly short comeback for Woods Butchers Rider Rob Mussell (KTM) who
Other notable DNF's, Dan and Matt Isard (KTM), Ben Young (SMD Off
Road KTM), Andy Marriner (Teamsnapper KTM) who had nasty off but is
ok, Chris Welch (Teamsnapper KTM), Simon Brown (Yamaha), Peter Reid (KTM),
Mick Scarry (Honda), David Collado (Yamaha) who actually rode to the
event (Tough Man ... or Simply Mad) your choice, Allan Angold (KTM)
and teenager Myles Morley Freer (Gas Gas).
Sportsman Class
Again a huge class and for any sportsman to have finished is an
achievement in its self, the top 10 all completed 3 laps which
shocked me as did not think it would have been possible, Tom Wells (KTM)
rode the most consistent out of that top 10 and won class, 2nd went
to Oliver Macrae (Yamaha) who really does have talent with bike
skills and speed, 3rd to my good friend Alan Taylor (Yamaha) who will
not give up and just has that mentality of not quitting, well done
mate. Ian Scott (KTM) 4th, Jon Casey (KTM) 5th, 6th Daren Mason
(Honda), 7th Daniel Weight (Teamsnapper Yamaha) who excelled in the
MX test with some terrific times but fear fitness may have let him
down throughout the event but entertaining rider, 8th Shaun Hayward (KTM),
9th went to the rider wearing Pink Boots.... yes Pink Boots on a
yellow Gas Gas Rob Giles, does this man have no colour co-ordination
lol,10th Michael Geurts (KTM), Other finishers were Keith Fielder (KTM),
Andy Scott (Honda), Martyn Gale (KTM), Jonathan Starkey (KTM), Neil
Hunt (Honda), Rob Fry (KTM), Danny Cleal (KTM)John Jewell (Yamaha),
Daniel Lucus (Honda), Philip Hopkins (Honda), Sue Wass (Yamaha) who
looked so determined and focused and worthy of an applause to
complete 1 lap in those conditions, Seb Chilvers (Gas Gas) and
finally the very likeable Yamaha mounted Ian Wales.
Words cannot express the looks on the majority of the riders faces
.... but the best word I can find is "Pained" the below
freezing temperatures along with 4" of snow and a bastard of a
course (Meant in Enduro way) and with some over 5 hrs of riding but
at the end I spoke to many riders and all loved the event and the
endurance and whether Champ or Sportsman rider all had to work so
very hard, and for me and the other spectators.... what a spectacle
and a show of talent/endurance/Grit/Mettle and Sportsmanship.
Colin Boniface and the complete Witley MCC whom i dare not name
individually as will no doubt miss someone out please take a bow and
that's coming from many many riders/supporters/fans and officials.
 Witley
Classic - Round 1 of the SEEC
Report Arnaud Didey Photo Ray Smith
Witley MCC has once again put up a great show at
Warren Heath (near Yateley) on 06/02/2011 in their attempt to raise
the profile of the South East Enduro Championship (SEEC).
Building on last year's event, the 2011 Witley Classic was featuring
3 special tests per lap, ridden un-timed on lap 1 (to avoid the early
morning special test walk...) but timed every lap thereafter (and up
to 5 times each for the Championship class).
Test 1 was a gnarly Xtreme Test incorporating ditch/water crossings,
banks to climb or drop-off and sections of logs and rocks. The Xtreme
test was taking Championship riders just over 3 minutes to ride;
Test 2 was an In-line (Enduro) Test with a mixture of fast flowing
going and tight wood sections. This long and challenging test took
the faster riders no less than 8 minutes to ride and really sorted
the best from the rest;
Test 3, a fast MX Test, was a real blast and a brilliant opportunity
for some great photo shots from www.teamsnapper.co.uk
& www.actionsport.co.uk/_1102SEEC.htm
. Problems with the timing system early in the day unfortunately
meant that the test had to be ridden un-timed throughout the day.
Focussing on special tests to decide the outcome of the event meant
that the checks did not have to be tight as riders in all classes
were given enough time to ride the demanding Warren Heath course
while saving their energy for the special tests. By the end of the
5hrs Witley Classic, most riders had clocked close to one hour of
special tests.
The teething problems experienced on the MX Test
will no doubt be sorted next year and will give those riders with a
bit of motocross flowing in the veins the opportunity to shine.
Witley MCC would like to thank all the
supporters, helpers and riders for their support and hope to welcome
you all back for an even better 2012 edition of the “Witley
Classic”.
More to follow...
2010
Boxing
Day Enduro
Weavers Down
Report & Photos by Teamsnapper
Well what an event that was.......full of action, spills and
thrills, we arrived at 0630 to help Manny B/Colin B/Simon B and
others from Witley to set up the final bits, the whole area of
Weavers Down was still completely covered in snow and in places over
12 inches deep and any areas that had been driven on were solid ice,
as the competitors arrived so many were getting stuck in and everyone
seemed to be helping everyone, its amazing how we bond in such
adverse situations.
I was luckily enough to view the course which was just a tad over
12 miles and the conditions were hard and challenging with many
climbs and bogs that were proper bogs and you had to be so committed
to get through due to their depth, the very steep climbs were great
if you had clear run but that did not happen often and the carnage on
the hills looked like a battlefield from old. The hardest factor was
simply the ice where it had compacted and as the event wore on the
ice got worse and was the downfall of EVERY rider at some stage.
330 riders were due to sign on with many more in reserve waiting
for the opportunity for non arrivals, sadly one of the big guns
failed to make the start James Giddings but the A list was of
excellent quality with some top MX and Enduro riders in the mix like
Scott Elderfield/Dorren Coutts/Jack Turner/Aaron Smith/Richard
Ely/Jack Twentyman/Dan Beaven/Zac Blackwell .
The start was the Witley trademark Le Mans style of running to
your bike and go go go.........
The First away were the Championship class with Richard Ely on the
Midwest Husaberg making the most awesome of starts with some 60 yard
lead before second corner with the rest of the pack bunched but
luckily no fallers, at the very near end of the lap the famous
Weavers Down Wall was there for the Hard/Extreme route or you could
take the Easy route which entailed minimum 30 second disadvantage,
The Wall was the spectators eye candy and first round with something
over a minute lead...yes a minute lead on lap one was Dorren Coutts
on his Motoward Yamaha however he mistimed the wall and came off over
the bars and fell very hard and i personally thought he had broken
his wrist but hey these MXers are tougher than i thought as he
recomposed himself and continued on although he must have been
hurting ......adrenaline can be a wonderful tool, i caught the the
action on camera so please take a look at Teamsnappers website, in
2nd place was the very likeable Richard Ely on his new Midwest
Husaberg who made the wall look very much like Childs play and was a
delight to watch, as the laps wore on it was simple to see that no
one was quite in the league of Doreen Coutts who won the event but a
great battle for second between Richard Ely and Jack Turner who
continually swapped places throughout the day with the Husaberg
mounted Richard Ely eventually taking 2nd place but 3rd place Jack
Turner was only seconds behind however Jack Turner won the Expert
class overall, Scott Elderfield had a great event and finished
4th(3rd in class)but seemed to always being held up by back markers
and Scott is a very polite rider and never bullies his way past which
maybe on this day cost him a podium finish, 5th (4th in class) was
Dan Beaven.......please take note as this the man to watch in 2011,
Dan had been riding TM for a while and has recently taken delivery of
new KTM 250XC and he has gelled with it fantastically and will be a
major player this year,6th place overall (2nd in class)went to the
very cheeky Aaron Smith aboard the Husaberg TE250 2 stroke with Zac
Blackwell breathing down his back in 7th (5th in class) place, the
ever YOUNG Jack Twentyman had a great ride in 8th overall but 6th in
Championship class, 9th overall went to the evergreen Neil Bowker on
his CR125 Honda, 10th overall but 3rd in Expert class was the very
young babyfaced (Sorry Max) Max Varney who again has come on leaps
and bounds this year and will be another young gun to watch.
Championship
1. Dorren Coutts 2. Richard Ely 3. Scott Elderfield
Expert
1. Jack Turner 2. Aaron Smith 3. Max Varney
The Over 40’s class was a very mixed bag with some class riders
at one end and first timers at the other end, the winner who was
something like 5 minutes ahead of his rival and rode very smoothly
albeit had a few moments in one of the bogs was Darren Osborne on his
KTM 300, 2nd was Richard Alldred who battled all day with 3rd place
Steven Bird , but it must be said that the top 3 in this class were
in a league of their own and would have finished very high in the
expert class, so well done guys. It was also good to Chris Stainger
back after a serious operation and although was taking things easy
and most definitely not race fit had a creditable 6th .
Over 40
1. Darren Osborne 2. Richard Alldred 3. Steven Bird
The Clubman class with well over a 100 riders was never going to
be easy but Teamsnappers good friend George Hayes(DK Autos KTM 125)
had a stunning ride to take victory and made some very good thinking
moves through the bogs and climbs that made the victory which really
on this day you needed to use the brain, i am sure Georges dad Mark
was like a dog with 2 ........ (am sure you get the drift lol), less
than a minute behind George was Lee Howarth on his Yamaha YZF250 with
Lucas Burman in 3rd on his KTM 250 EXC.
Clubman
1. George Hayes 2. Lee Howarth 3. Lucas Burman
The sportsman class was the most subscribed class with over 120
riders and a very surprising winner Luke Humphrey on board the new
Stomp 250 4T which was on its maiden event and you won’t get many
more tougher events so well done to Stomp and a massive pat on the
back to Luke whom i did not see put a foot wrong all day and again
used his brain, 2nd went to Iain Randall on his Suzuki and 3rd to
Kyle Harper on the big Husaberg.
Sportsman
1. Luke Humphrey 2. Iain Randall 3. Kyle Harper
The quad class was easily won by Andy Eastmap with a very
creditable 41st overall which is an amazing result
Quad
1. Andy Eastmap 2. Ashley John Blyth 3. Bob Cross
Only 1 finisher in the Sidecar class which was Paul Fishlock on
the Triumph 500, well done Paul
I must add that the medical team, marshalls and helpers worked
their socks off trying to cope with the amount of injuries especially
ones who were miles out on the circuit and it is at events like this
when you really appreciate the support of not just the medics but the
spectators and helpers.
For full results go to www.witleymcc.org
and for photos www.teamsnapper.co.uk
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