Going into the 7th and final round of the Eastern Centre Motocross Championship, Norfolk's Luke Parker had already won the series, but put on a great display to win all three moto's at his home circuit at Lyng on Sunday.
Hosted by the Norwich Vikings club, and sponsored by Stebbings Car Superstore and PP Sports Insurance, a good-sized crowd witnessed some great racing at Cadders Hill, held in warm sunshine, on a well-prepared circuit.
Following timed practise to decide the 40 strong premier class group, it was Ben Cole who led the pack, chased by Declan Whittle, Shaun Southgate, Josh Peters and Parker in the 20-minute-long race.
Whittle took over at the front on lap two, with Southgate and Peters chasing hard. Parker moved into 4th place, and the crowd were treated to witness a four-way battle at the front. At the half distance , Southgate dropped out of the race with bike problems, as Parker got the better of Peters, then set about closing the gap on local ace, Whittle. Going into the final lap, the two Norfolk riders were fighting wheel to wheel, and were side by side as they plunged down Cadders Hill for the last time. With lapped riders just ahead of them, Parker took the inside line on the final corner, to take the win. Whittle could not avoid contact with a lapped rider, but recovered to take second place. Peters had a great ride for 3rd place, followed by Cole, and Bayliss Utting, who was the leading MX2 class rider.
New junior champion, Joseph Leeks, had a storming ride to claim 7th , closely followed by Jake Rackham in 8th place.
In race two of the premier group, Parker and Whittle again battled for the win, with the verdict going to Parker again. Teenager Utting had a great race, holding off Peters for 3rd place. Southgate had borrowed a bike from his Herts MX sponsor, Steve Atkins, and after a sluggish start, climbed to 5th place at the finish. Leeks was again the leading junior grade rider, in 7th, with Rackham the second-best junior finisher in 10 th place.
Parker completed his hat trick in race three after passing early leader, Ben Cole. Southgate was getting the hang of his borrowed bike, and fought through to 2nd place, ahead of Peters, Whittle and Cole. Will Farrow was 6th, and was the top MX2 expert rider in the series. Joseph Leeks was 7th for the third time, adding his name on the junior championship trophy.
The supporting A group saw Charlie Roper taking the overall, winning the first two races, with a 3rd place in race three, which was won by Carl Miller. Norwich Viking club members, Teddy Hyde and Josh Deadman were 2nd and 3rd in the overall standings. In group B, Jack Whitlam won all three legs with ease. Jake Knight finished 2nd in the first two races, but a dnf in race three ruined his overall chances.
The meeting also included round eight of the popular NGR over 30's championships, and Gary Hoptrough took his Kawasaki to three wins at his local circuit. Jack Edwards was 2nd each time, with series leader, Tim Clark, third overall, with a couple of 3rds, and a 5th place.
Results. Premier Experts class overall. Luke Parker, Declan Whittle, Josh Peters, Bayliss Utting, Ben Cole, Dylan Spencer
Premier Junior class. Joseph Leeks, Jake Rackham, Freddie O'Leary, Travis Frost, Joseph Hall, Jake Taylor.
Group A supports. Charlie Roper, Teddy Hyde, Josh Deadman, Lee Kirkpatrick, Carl Miller, Lloyd Goldstraw.
Group B supports. Jack Whitlam, Zachary Kneller, Olly Hollands, Andrew Webster, Jody Cutler, Andrew Rooke.
NGR over 30'. Gary Hoptrough, Jack Edwards, Tim Clark, Max Wood, Shane Brown, Marc Nickerson.
Final positions 2022 Eastern Championships
Premier Experts. Luke Parker 444 points, Ben Cole 339, Declan Whittle 332, Shaun Southgate 302, Brad Woodroffe 290,Will Farrow 280
Premier Juniors. Joseph Leeks 472, Travis Frost 312, Jake Rackham 307, Connor Bunkle 280, Finley Jarvis 235, Joseph Hall 210.
Expert rookie Champion Ben Parry
Club champions Woodbridge.
Report from Charlie Ralph