Braintree MCC staged their annual motocross meeting on their iconic grassland circuit at Stisted Essex on Sunday, and the programme included round three of the Eastern Evo series, round five of the NGR over 30's championships, and Allcomers races for Expert and Junior grade riders. A good sized crowd saw lots of action in the sunshine on the fast but tight course.
The Evo class, for pre 1990 machines was well supported and Brad Tomlin on a JK 250cc Honda dominated the class, taking all three race wins, as well as the Evo invitation race. Rob Mead (125cc Honda), was second in each race, with Jacob Chambers third overall. Colchester veteran, Gary Gladwin, was on the pace in the first two moto's, with a couple of third places, but had to charge from the back of the pack in the third race, and could only reach tenth place at the finish. Many fans had hoped to see 1980's National star, Jon Barfoot in action, but a blown engine in race one ended his day early.
The good entry of riders in the popular NGR series saw current champion, Tim Clark, in fine form, taking maximum points on the day, with his main championship rival, Liam Walker, second overall.
Added to the NGR line up were a few riders on twinshock bikes, and local favourite, Jason Morland, riding an old 550cc Husqvarna, battled in all four races. Morland actually had two wins, a second and third place, riding a machine over forty years older than the NGR riders machines, but obviously his points not counting on the day. Ryan George from Kent had four decent rides, finishing the day third overall.
The Allcomers races saw Morland on great form, this time on his modern day Jim Aim sponsored KTM machine, but the British National youth rider, Ben Clark pushed him hard in all four races. Race one saw the two locked together throughout the fifteen minute long race, with Clark taking the win. Morland turned the tables in race two, with Clark pushing hard, but could not make a pass. The teenager held off Morland in race three, and just as Morland tried to make a pass with two laps left, the race was stopped due to an injured rider blocking the track. Behind the leading pair, Sam Mitchell claimed his 3rd third place of the day.
Race four was a classic, with Clark holding off Morland for three laps as the pair thrilled the crowd with a closely fought battle. Sam Mitchell tried to stay with the leading pair, and when Clark made a mistake with three laps left, Mitchell inherited second place behind Morland. Clark rode superbly to finish third, leaving the battling Roper cousins to dispute fourth and fifth place.
The Jack Hubbard trophy race for the top riders in all classes saw a disappointing line up for the last race of the day, but nevertheless, the spectators were treated to another dog fight between Morland and Clark as they fought wheel to wheel. Mitchell tried to stay with them, but clobbered his hand on a post and had to settle for another third place. At the front, Morland held off Clark, both applauded by the crowd as they crossed the finish line. Amazingly, it was Morland's ninth race of the day! . Aaron Hopkins, on a borrowed bike, came home in fourth place, with Richard Roper holding off Craig Roper for fifth .
Results
Eastern Evo's overall. Brad Tomlin Honda, Rob Mead Honda,Jacob Chambers Honda, Gary Gladwin Yamaha, Jordan Pasquale Yamaha, Nick Carter Honda
NGR over 30's overall. Tim Clark Honda, Liam Walker KTM, Ryan George Yamaha, Mark Lloyd Honda, Andy Cattermole Honda, Steve Bottoms KTM
Allcomers overall. Jason Morland KTM, Ben Clark Honda, Sam Mitchell Honda, Craig Roper KTM, Richard Roper Suzuki, James Barker KTM
Jack Hubbard Trophy race. Morland, Clark, Mitchell, Aaron Hopkins Honda, Richard Roper, Craig Roper.
Report Charlie Ralph
Pics by Sophie Brinkley