The NORA MX Club hosted the second round of the NORA MX championships of 2022 at Culham MX Park in Oxfordshire. It was part a fantastic two-day quad championship event which incorporated the first round of the NORA sidecar Championship. The weather was fantastic with the sun shining all weekend on the sandy, well-prepared track.
This weekend they were running the new format, with the Pro / Pro-am / Rookies run as a 4-race weekend, with all other quad classes as a 5-race weekend and the sidecars as a 3-race single day event.
This was the first NORA Championship round for the sidecars and what a fantastic track for the sidecars, wide and fast, and in top condition too, a recipe for some great racing.
Race one got underway with an early lead for Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow, but Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson blasted ahead going on to take the lead. Behind, Matthew Connor with stand in passenger Guy Eastman fought hard to take second with Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow holding third.
In race two Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson left nothing to chance, leading from the start. Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow tucked into second. This time Matt Connor / Guy Eastman had problems on the start, but soon fought back blasting through the field to take a brilliant third.
In the final race of the day, Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson took the holeshot going on to take their third win of the day and now lead the championship going into round two. Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow took second a few bends ahead of Matthew Connor / Guy Eastman.
In the Pro / Pro-am / Rookie class, racing got underway with an early lead for Dean Dillon with James Bevan holding second and Harry Walker third, but the battle was on, Harry Walker fought hard to pass James Bevan and blasted ahead to catch Dean Dillon in the final few laps going on to take his first win of the day. At the halfway point James Bevan was left rack side with mechanical problems, this left Carl Bunce third just ahead of Jamie Morgan in fourth.
In Race two Carl Bunce took the holeshot, with Harry Walker second from Dean Dillon and Paul Winrow behind, but it was all change on the first few laps with Harry Walker charging into the lead, only to go missing the following lap, problems with the kill switch kept making the bike stop. Dean Dillon saw his chance and battled into the lead, leaving Carl Bunce in second ahead of and Paul Winrow. Jamie Morgan has a slow start but kept fighting to the end to take a great fourth place.
On day two there were another two races, with just as much excitement. Dean Dillon blasted into the lead on Race three, going on to take another great win. Carl Bunce held second with Harry Walker third, but both riders suffered problem in the first few laps and retired from the race. From behind, Simon Hammersley saw the opportunity and blasted into second. Jamie Morgan was again on top form tucking into third with Chad Beevers just behind.
In their last race of the weekend, it was James Bevan took the hole shot but was quickly passed by Harry Walker who held the advantage going on to take another great win. James Bevan had mechanical problems which slowed him, dropping out of the leading positions. Dean Dillon took second just ahead of Jamie Morgan with Simon Hammersley tucking into fourth.
The Masters A and B class, they had two races on Saturday and another three on Sunday. In race one it was a battle between Ed Davies who took the hole shot and Paul Winrow who fought past into the lead, going on to take his first great win, Ed Davies took second ahead of Johnathan Mcknight. Darren Bridge battled hard to take fourth
In race two it was Johnathan Mcknight who dominated, holding the lead, and staying ahead of Ed Davies and Paul Winrow until the final lap where Paul Winrow made his move going on to take a second great win. Another good race for Darren Bridge in fourth.
On day two there were another three races, two wins for Paul Winrow he held the advantage at the start of the day. In race 4 it was Ed Davies who took the lead on lap one, going on to take his first win of the weekend. Paul Winrow fought through to take second ahead of Johnathan Mcknight, with Darren Bridge fourth.
In race four Paul Winrow took an early lead holding on for the win. Ed Davies and Johnathan Mcknight battled for second with Ed Davies blasting ahead at the halfway point. Another consistent race for Darren Bridge in fourth.
In their last race of the weekend, it was Ed Davies who took the hold shot and lead to the flag. Behind Johnathan Mcknight and Paul Winrow battled for second, with Darren Bridge again fourth.
With three out of five race wins Paul Winrow retains the championship lead.
In the 250 class it was Ross Dillon who dominated taking wins in all five races with Andrew Black close behind and taking second overall, and Alfie Pennington third.
The Clubman Elite and Clubman classes raced together and was another great format. They also had two races on Saturday and another three on Sunday. Axel Bone took wins in all five races, battling to stay ahead of Daniel Scott Evans and Ryan Walters.
At the end of an eventful weekend there were lots of exhausted riders celebrating a great start to the racing season. The club worked tirelessly all weekend to make it a fantastic event, and we look forward to round three on June 3rd & 4th - Little Hempton - TQ9 6NE
Results: Nora MX Quad Rd2 & Sidecar National Rd1, Nora-Mx Quad Racing, United Kingdom - Official Event Results, MYLAPS Speedhive