The last couple of hours were really frantic. Riders looked to consolidate their positions as others made a late charge to improve their chances……then all of a sudden, it was over…….the entry list had closed!
Where the heck did all that come from then?? I’ve never known a TBEC event fill up so quickly? What was so special about this one then?
I guessed that maybe some had been here before and knew it was a great track, or maybe with the first glimmer of sunshine this year, people simply wanted to get out and race!
Either way, the list was full with I think 10 reserves pencilled in as well, and latest news tells me that Weedon has gone the same way - full up including reserves within a week - cracking.
Hot news: The pits gossip has told me that the 'bets are on' with a couple of teams in the 12hr, June 4th (entries now being taken and already flowing in steadily).
One particular team (with one member who wears socks with 'gear' and 'brake' written on them) has placed a large sum of money on the table to confirm their agility and stamina to 'whip the other teams butts'. Could be interesting - watch this space!
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Back
to Home Farm - As we were not
far from the ever popular Bennington track, I guessed that that we may be in for
some familiar terrain, which I guess, is what we got in some way. Personally I
thought that the track was excellent. A real mix of going with something to test
out most of the entry. If you’ve not had a look at Annie Ward’s web site photos
yet, then go and have a look now. I think she has really captured the “fun” that
was to be had at the bog crossing. It certainly held the attention of the large
crowd of spectators that was gathered there for most of the event, and looking
at the images I can see why. I didn’t get held up too much there myself but this
was a lot to do with the excellent marshalling at the bog. The marshals were
kept busy not only pulling out the beached riders, but directing traffic away
from the melee as well. Thanks to all those that were there helping out.
Despite the fun at the bog, this was only part of the course that needed to be diverted substantially by the end of the day, apart from part of the ditch run that was diverted to minimise damage.
Although the course was pretty manageable, there were as usual, some riders who managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Mathew Rowland (61) continued close relationship with the trees at Home Farm. After using one to blacken his eye at Rendlesham, he used a spare stump to modify his exhaust, which he flattened against the engine, bringing the afternoon’s enjoyment to a close.
Rider 251 was seen pushing back to the paddock. Further investigation showed that leaving out the bead clamps in the rear wheel had led to an inner tube resembling spaghetti! Andrew Harvey was kind enough to mail me regarding his disaster of a day. It started off with not being able to find his car keys and waking up the other half far too early on a Sunday. A missing wrist tag was next, adding to the day’s costs. Driving into the event up the access road, Andrew then chose to modify his exhaust on the way. Another £150! (And not the only one either!). The rest of the morning was event free but true to form the afternoon session saw him trying to get ”a little air” (for the camera Andrew?!!) . And the landing saw the bike’s engine die and several repeated restarts and stalls meant the demise of the bike for the day. Andrew suspects a gearbox problem initially (????) but I’m not so sure. All will become clear soon I’m sure.
Sharon Bell was going well again, but suffered from a loose handlebar grip in the afternoon. Enter the ever chivalrous Mr Sadd. Roy’s assistance in helping Sharon could have been taken from any comedy clip show! Roy’s use of petrol to fit the grip was blinding! Well it was for young Ms Bell anyway. Roy filled up the loose grip with petrol and then pushed his finger into it to clean it, shooting a perfectly aimed jet of petrol into Sharon’s eye. I’m assured that all was well with her in the end.
In fact I noticed a lot of encouraging shouts for Sharon, Seems like the other riders admire her spirit. Keep it up Sharon!
Sadly yet again the same old names are turning up when listing complaints of aggressive riding. Those of you reading the forum on the web will have seen the debate grow.
I can say that the description of one riders passing manoeuvres were a word perfect rendition of what happened to me by the same rider last year, so clearly not a one off incident. My personal view is that with increasing competition for entries, maybe it’s time for the club to start declining entries for those that use the events as an outlet for their aggression. Maybe a time to try another club eh?
In contrast I have to mention Andrew Childs (5) and Ben Ilott (51). Both of these guys passed me a couple of times during the race. When I hear a faster rider behind me and there is space I usually point to the left with my Left hand to indicate to pass me on the left hand side as I move over to the right. Both Ben and Andrew thanked me as they passed and none of us were delayed in any way. When there isn’t any space then sorry but I’ve paid my entry too! I ALWAYS thank riders that let me past, and I have to say that most of the entry are as courteous. If you don’t agree with courtesy, then go and do something else, this isn’t the club for you.
Also on the web site, the guest book has had me laughing a lot too. It seems that we are soon to have a Pet’s corner Enduro? Read the guestbook for further info, and thanks for the giggles everyone! Sign up and join in the fun.
Despite what appeared to be a number of big get-off’s, only one rider appeared in the medical report. Adam Clapham (413) is listed as having “gone over the handlebars”. You and me likewise mate!!! I saw several of these. All on the fast rutted tracks between the crops, and many looked quite painful. My own earth, sky, earth, sky, Ouch! Moment was caused by getting cross rutted, something that was starting to get a feeling of inevitability earlier in the race. It must have looked good as about 4 riders stopped initially, and then Fiona Newport joined the crowd. Thanks for stopping guys and girls. I took about 10 seconds to lay there wondering if my collarbone was broken or not but it was ok. The other accidents were all well marshalled by the riders and course marshals, with waved yellow flags before a blind crest at the top of the field. Well done for that one lads.
Ray has asked me to mention timing wrist tags again. It would appear that some riders have two tags which is making the preparation of results interesting to say the least! If you are one of those riders please can you contact Ray and ensure that one is returned. It’s a pain in the butt for Ray to have to manipulate all the race result data anyway, and making it harder doesn’t help.
I’ll end with the usual thank you’s and an apology.
Firstly thanks to all the marshals and officials on the day, the event was a cracking success. Thanks to the majority of the riders for their courtesy and for obeying the course boundaries within the crop area. Steve the Landowner was really pleased with the days event and as you are probably already aware, has already invited ups back next year to what I think is a fantastic track. Well done all.
A final thank you to Roy Sadd for the ramps that got us out of the ditches. Most of you will be unaware that despite looking like scaffolding planks, were actually made out of his kitchen shelves!! Sue’s opinion on this donation is, at this point, unrecorded!!!!
The final note is an apology from Me., firstly for the delay in this report. (Pressures of the day job dontcha know!) And secondly for the typo’s and occasional drivel in the Rendlesham report.
As Ray alluded to in the 2-day report (I wasn’t quite on par for that report). A bang on the head had confused me somewhat. Was it a tough Judo championship?..er…No! Was it a particularly arduous Ice-hockey game?...er…No! It was forgetfulness! I had changed my car and was loading it with my special high performance pies. What I forgot was the sticky-out bit on the hatch back! Bump, Claret everywhere, and a trip to A and E for three stitches!
Note
to self; never write race
report suffering from concussion!!
See you all at Weedon
Dan #15 (May contain Nuts)