On Sunday 21st of June, the Woodbridge DMCC hosted their second race meeting of the season at Blaxhall in scorching heat and in front of a bumper crowd. The meeting consisted of a 12-race schedule including Expert and Junior groups as well as round 4 of the ever-popular NGR Championship.
The Expert line up was littered with talent as plenty of British Championship regulars looked to gain vital track time ready for the final round here at Blaxhall in September. Amongst the main attractions were DirtStore Triumph rider Ben Watson, Tristan Purdon on his SevenSeven2 Ride Kawasaki steed and Apico Honda’s Tom Grimshaw. Also entered was JK Racing’s 125cc star Drew Stock alongside his rival from 2025 Charlie Richmond, on his Crendon Tru7 250 Honda.
The Morning Qualification session would see Grimshaw draw first blood, laying down a blisteringly quick time to take pole and first gate pick ready for race one!
Expert Race one got underway with Ben Watson claiming the Holeshot ahead of the South African Purdon close behind. Grimshaw was just outside the top five on the opening lap but made swift work in pulling up to the back wheel of Purdon. Honda Duo Bayliss Utting and Charlie Richmond were bar-to-bar early on, but Richmond made the pass stick and cemented his position in fourth. Lap by lap Watson pulled an advantage on the rest of the pack and looked in fine form, as he powered to victory in race one by a dominant 16 seconds! Purdon came home in second ahead of Grimshaw in third who pushed him all the way to the line. In fourth was Richmond and Bayliss Utting in fifth.
In Race two of the Expert class, Watson again nailed the start on his Triumph but this time he had Grimshaw breathing down his neck for the first few laps. Tristan Purdon was up at the sharp end once more alongside Richmond and Dylan Woodcock. Calum Mitchell started to make some moves and soon made his way into the top five but was just too far back to catch the four riders ahead of him. Watson controlled the race from the front, showing relentless pace and precision, he soon took the chequered flag for victory. Tom Grimshaw finished in second and Purdon in third. Charlie Richmond came across the line in fourth ahead of Mitchell in fifth.
The final Expert race got underway with the three big hitters all emerging at the front but it was Watson who had his starts dialed all afternoon long who had the early lead. Tristan Purdon didn't let Watson out of his sight for the remaining few laps as just over halfway through the race, the red flag unfortunately came out bringing a premature end to the race. Watson would take the victory ahead of Purdon in second and Grimshaw in third. Charlie Richmond again showing why he's a top prospect for the future with another solid fourth place finish ahead of Callum Murfitt in fifth.
The overall in the Expert class went to Ben Watson with a perfect 1-1-1 score. In second was Tristan Purdon with a 2-3-2 and Tom Grimshaw in third overall with a 3-2-3.
In the NGR Championship, the crowd was treated to some fantastic action with plenty of battles and entertainment during their three races, with the overall Honours going to current championship leader Gary Hoptrough with a 5-1-1. Second overall would go to Kevin Palmer with a 3-2-2 and in third was Billy King with a 1-3-7.
In the Junior ‘A’ class the overall went to Hadley Coppard with a 1-1-1 scorecard ahead of Archie Stapley in second with a 2-2-2. In third overall was Ben Arthurton with a 3-3-3.
The Junior ‘B’ class honors went to Adam Pain with a 1-2-1 ahead of Craig Page-Baker in second with a 3-6-3. In third overall was Sam Philpott with a 9-3-2.
The Woodbridge DMCC would like to wish all injured riders a full and speedy recovery and thank all Officials, Marshalls and Medics, for their tireless hard work in the warm conditions.
The club would also like to thank all spectators and supporters for their patience and understanding during the stoppages and we look forward to welcoming you back to Blaxhall on August 2nd for the Eastern Centre Championship RD5.
Race Report by Stefan Hicks
Images courtesy of Narna Media