On Sunday 11th of May, the Diss MCC hosted round 3 of the ACU Eastern Centre Mx championship, sponsored by Stebbings Car Superstore & Templant Hire LTD. The natural grasstrack circuit at Wattisfield Hall bathed in glorious sunshine all day long and presented some spectacular action during a busy 12 race schedule.
The club would like to thank local sponsors GMC Interiors for handing out holeshot bonuses in each of the premier class races, and also Evan Worby for putting up the fastest lap bonus as extra incentives for the riders.
The first Premier class race of the day would see Shaun Southgate leap from the gate and into the early lead, alongside him was Joe Jones and Luke Benstead, with Sam Nunn close by in the top five. Southgate led for the first half of the race but all eyes were on the battle behind, as Benstead and Nunn who were both incidentally tied on points after the opening two rounds, went bar-to-bar in a thrilling encounter. This rivalry started in the morning qualifying session and only got more fiery as the day went on, to the intrigue of the crowd watching on. Nunn eventually made the move stick on Benstead and in quick succession passed Southgate for the lead. Nunn would take race one victory ahead of Benstead in second, Southgate in third and Joe Jones in fourth. Local rider Joseph Leeks came home a solid fifth ahead of Max Broadbelt in sixth after a poor start.
In the second Premier class race, Luke Benstead was quick out of the gate, with Max Broadbelt much closer than he was in race one. Sam Nunn would fall on the opening laps leaving him at the back of the pack. Benstead and Broadbelt were both on top form, but it was the latter who would make the pass and finish race two with the win, also claiming the fastest lap of the day bonus as well. Benstead home in second and Bayliss Utting in third. Southgate again rode solidly for fourth and Leeks in fifth. Nunn finished a hard fought effort for sixth.
Race three of the Premier class wasn't without its drama either, as the pack went charging into the first turn, led by Southgate, Sam Nunn was last out of the gate in a carbon copy to round one at Wakes Colne. By the end of the first lap he was already in the top ten and charging past riders. Southgate again proved why Wattisfield is one of his favoured tracks with some smart riding at the front, but the pressure from Benstead behind would soon see him back down to second. Benstead weaved his way through backmarkers to the chequered flag making it 3 different winners in the class. Southgate home in second and Broadbelt in third. A good ride from local star Chester Hyde for fourth and Joe Jones in fifth.
The Premier overall would go to the consistent Luke Benstead, Southgate in second tied on points with Max Broadbelt but with a better final race result.
The Premier junior class was claimed by the impressive, Alfie Geddes-Green, ahead of Travis Bixby in second and Teddy Hyde in third.
The support A class overall was won by Luke Nolan with three race wins ahead of Scott Claydon in second with a 5-2-2. In third was Mitchell Murfitt with a 4-3-9 finish.
The support B class honors were taken by Zak Beards with a 1-2-1 ahead of Joseph Mulley-Forsdike in second with a 4-3-3. In third was Finlay Whitlam with a 6-7-2.
The C class overall was taken by Freddie Bond with a 1-3-1. In second was Robert Green with a 5-2-2 and in third was Adam Bird with 3-4-3.
Full race results available here:- https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/3015984
Race report by Stefan Hicks
Images courtesy of Narna Media