Tom is Topman again! Lincolnshire Enduro Club – Race Report and Results

So, due to a thing called Covid which crops up on the news now and again, most riders will have been out of action for some months now.

Report and Images by Martin Southwick

With no race series for 2020, and with restrictions eased somewhat recently, the Lincolnshire Enduro Club promoted a one-off race at the weekend, and went big. With slightly questionable weather over the previous week, riders will have appreciated the perfect racing weather presented to them on race day at Dembleby Heath farm. In the end, it was dry with clear blue skies and light winds.

The club had massive fields, in more ways that one. With one of longest race tracks seen in the club’s short history, the 10-mile course attracted one of the biggest number of entrants ever seen, and with nearly 140 riders on the start line, its obvious riders have been missing their “need for speed” !

The event even went international as one rider came from Germany to compete. With several wooded sections, quarries and super fast farmland to negotiate, (some of which were described at “gloopy” !) a familiar name came out on top once more after 3 hours of racing.

Thomas Braddock, on his Dave Barkshire Motorcycles KTM, doesn’t appear at every LEC event, but when he does, it generally leads to a race win. In fact, apart from a ‘mechanical’ 4 years ago at Tattershall, he has now won every LEC race he has entered. And, his winning streak didn’t abate at the weekend. His 9 Laps were the same number recorded as the next few riders, but a little over two minutes in front of 2nd placed man, Danny Catlin. Making up the podium places, Mark Lonsdale was a further 5 minutes adrift.

In the Clubman race, two riders finished with 8 laps completed. Ryhan leighton came out on top, two minutes in front of Rob miller, with Sam Reed a further lap behind. Less than two minutes separated first and second placed men. One of the biggest winning margins of the day was in the Sportsman 2T class. Once again, all the top 3 riders did 8 laps but at the end of 180 minutes, Carl Smalley had a winning margin of some 14 minutes over second-placed rider Ben Harrison. Ryan Clarke was 5 minutes behind that.

Another familiar name on the local enduro scene was on the top step in the Sportsman 4T class. This time it was one of the younger Tapper family members, Joe, who won his class with Alex Shaw on the same laps but some 4 minutes down. Harry Hinckley made up the podium places. Eight riders achieved the same amount of laps in the Over 40’s section. A ten minute blanket-covered those riders, although it was rather less than that at the front end. Michael Harris won by some two minutes from Sydney Richardson. David Batters was a similar distance behind that.

Ian Shepherd won the over 50’s class by quite a margin, some 7 minutes. It was a bit closer between the next two lads though, Nigel Ross beating Stuart Cryer by 3 minutes, for runners up spot. The top 6 in class were all on the same amount of laps when the flag went down.

Club stalwart Kevin Bartle won the over 60’s group and was a lap in front of Anthony Williamson who in turn was a further lap in front of John Cotterill. Sean Avison won the Trail and classic section. Once again a special shout out should go to the Beginners in the race. In the past there has been races with nobody on that particular start line. This time there was eleven riders though. Adrian Sheehan came out on top with 7 laps with Will Batters one lap distant, and Dean Dixon on 5. Well done folks.

The club would like to say a big thank you to all marshalls, helpers, first aid people (https://www.strike-zone.co.uk/first-aid-event-cover) Catering staff (https://www.facebook.com/rosiescountrykitche/), Timekeepers (https://ticktocktiming.co.uk/lec) and above all, the riders for such a great day.

All being well with Covid etc, the club is holding another race on November 1st. (Ashby Peurorum) Entries for that are now open, on the ACU website. There are also plans for a practice day on December 27th. Venue etc TBC.

Keep a lookout for details on the club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LincolnshireEnduroClub

Results