enduro news
© Bob Mullins   

News

A TIGHT course produced a clear winner of the annual West Glos & Dean Forest MCC enduro. Though less than four miles in length, the Chicken Farm hare and hounds course was circulated 22 times in three hours by overall winner Derek Bawn. He squeezed in an extra lap ahead of Rhys Davies and Steve Biddle, who were two clear of the rest of the expert field. Biddle and Davies are not often separated by much time at most events and at the flag, the Lydney rider trailed Davies by 87 seconds. Both came up against backmarkers and while Biddle smiled through gritted teeth, Davies took the opportunity for a quick rest before turning up the wick again. Another local rider, Simon Ellway, turned in 19 laps, almost four minutes ahead of Anthony Powell.

There was a clear victor in the clubman class, with a remarkable 21 laps completed by George Bayliss, who looks like he is aiming to upgrade to expert status soon. All the more remarkable was the fact he gave up a 175cc advantage to Carl Davies' 300cc TM. Davies managed 19 laps, one more than Brockworth rider Dane Palmer, and Jason Tillings.

The veterans class was an all-action affair, providing the only crash of the day at the start. As the over 40's thundered off the line, Coleford's Dave Smailes departed his machine at some speed, though no serious damage was done. Adrian Evans and Jerry Adams both completed 19 laps, ahead of Andrew Knapman on 18, and Andy Taylor and Gas Gas dealer Anthony Moore on 17.

The sportsman class provided the biggest class of the 80-plus entry, and a close finish, with Roger Holland heading home four riders, all on 17 laps.

Coleford blacksmith Peter Neale was the only rider in the trail class. He rode to the event from home, put in 15 laps, then rode home, without stopping for fuel. Though his air-cooled Honda CRF 230 lacked top speed, it hummed effiently around the course and was ideal for the tighter sections of the track laid out by clerk of the course Glenn Thomas and his team.

The club would like to thank all who helped to officiate on the day, and the landowner.

RESULTS
Expert
Premier: Derek Bawn (300 KTM), 22 laps.
Gold: Rhys Davies, Steve Biddle (both 250 KTM), 21.
Silver: Simon Ellway, Anthony Powell (both 250 KTM), 19. Neil Pettit (Premier 250 KTM), 18. Rob Nicholls (250 Yamaha), 17. Neil Ashton (450 KTM), 16.
Veteran
Gold: Adrian Evans (300 KTM), Jerry Adams (450 Kawasaki), 19 laps. Andrew Knapman (250 Husqvarna), 18.
Silver: Andy Taylor (300 KTM), Anthony Moore (Haines & Co Gas Gas 250), 17 laps. Moe Gooding (250 TM), Steve Hancox (200 Gas Gas), Iain Clark (300 Gas Gas), 15. Steve Cooper (250 Suzuki), 14.
Clubman
Gold: George Bayliss (125 Yamaha), 21. Carl Davies (300 TM), 19.
Silver: Dane Palmer (250 Gas Gas), Jason Tillings (200 KTM), 18. Carey Foord (250 Kawasaki), Craig Jones (300 KTM), Barrie McNulty (450 Beta), Andrew Card (300 TM), Asa Hurley (250 KTM), Simon Howells (450 Yamaha) 17. Joe Gittins-Jones (250 Yamaha), Michael Nicholls (125 KTM) 16. Paddy Delaney (Suzuki 250), Gary Standen (250 KTM), Ashley Tillings (200 Gas Gas), Martin Howitt (200 KTM) 15.
Sportsman
Gold: Roger Holland (125 Yamaha), Sam Hoskins, Tom Fowler (both 250 KTM), Richard Holland (250 Gas Gas), Roger Williams (250 KTM), 17.
Silver: Gareth Delve (250 Honda), Stephen Pearce (250 KTM), Andrew Edwards (300 KTM), 15. Peter Davies (250 Gas Gas), Chris Waterworth (250 KTM), David Sharpe (450 Husaberg), 13.
Trail
Gold: Peter Neale (230 Honda), 15.
Twinshock
Edward Davis (510 Husqvarna) 4.

Bronze medals to all other finishers. For full results, visit www.wgdfmcc.org.uk