Spencer finally cracks the Ballbreaker! Raw Enduro Ballbreaker Extreme Enduro – Race Report and Results

Running almost two months earlier than usual, Wayne Braybrook took the bold decision to run the fourth edition Ballbreaker Extreme at very dry sunny Hapton Valley in October rather than the regular cold wet December date.

Report by Raw Media – Images courtesy of CH-Images

A five miles long course had a full on old school enduro route comprising of steep climbs, some scary descents, Rock Strewn screes, streams, plus two Ball breaking X Loops for Pro and Expert riders to negotiate. Running a solid early lead at the end of lap one Pro class rider Jack Spencer finally grabbed his first BB win after trying for 3 years. Not having it easy he was kept very honest by Extreme Enduro newbie Jack Price. Pricy held a strong pace and only narrowly missed staying on the lead lap with eventual winner Spencer. Lee Sampson revelled in the technical conditions on his team steer Sherco, standing on the final podium spot ended his weekend just perfect.

Reece Gazzard stuck another blue team steer bike on the podium in the Expert class. Taking his first RAW Win Gazzard dealt with the course in a very methodical manner. Joe Dawson was delighted with his runner up place, and Jed Balmer grabbed third after Declan Helliwell had to pit to change a broken brake lever costing him valuable time.

Reece Gazzard

Always tight in the top places Clubman riders were as close as ever. Tommy Grimmer smashed the Clubman class win in one of his last Clubman rides before he attacks the Expert class in 22. Doug Lote rode an awesome race to take runner up place in the class, Harry Conner finished third less than one minute behind Lote at the flag.

As track got to near perfect condition, the few greasy parts of the track dried up. The Rock Garden caused lots of problems in true extreme enduro fashion, never meant to be too easy, RAW marshals manned the rock garden section perfectly ensuring that section stayed in all race long.

Pro and Expert Riders had to negotiate two “X LOOP” sections, the first being a much higher line through the rock garden which proved very difficult. The second section close to the paddock was a 300m long Stream section with some nasty steps, holes and a killer climb out of the final section. Ged Littlewood fired his Husky round to a fine sportsman class win, an average lap time of twenty seven minutes, and just less than 3 hours riding was needed to grab the class win from local ace Ben Crowcroft who was delighted with his runner up place. Just one vets class saw Richard Hawes take the win a full lap up on Ricky Tropman, with Jonathan Wadsworth proud as punch taking third in class on his Sherco 4 stroke.

Charlie Crossland

A special Youth Class for competent youth riders was included in this year’s Ballbreaker Extreme, this allowed riders to get a have a taste of Extreme enduro on a big course. Charlie Crossland used his trials skills to take a great win, runner up Fraiser Lampkin missed an extra lap by just 38 seconds at the flag, his KTM85 worked hard all race as he loved the extreme conditions at his favourite enduro venue. Conner Gulbrandsen was the final finisher in the youth class.

With lots of riders already in turkey for Sea to Sky the entry was a little low, probably the best Ballbreaker event yet, the 2022 edition 5 will take place at a similar time next year, were already work has begun to raise the bar on the two main sections of the course. More news next year on Ballbreaker 5.

Well done to all riders, RAW Enduro is back on track at Revesby in Lincolnshire on October 23/24th where the Rock Oil Final Race of the year will take place, on another new course in a stunning location Wayne Braybrook will again keep the competition and enjoyment factor at top level.

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Results