MotoX at Polesworth

A crisp winter morning welcomed a mass turnout of both solo and sidecar riders to a perfectly prepared Stippers Hill circuit…

A bumper field of 19 outfits and a blend of National and Grand Prix competitors in the sidecars added an extra flavour to already tantalizing picture with over 200 riders turning out for Round 2 of the MGP series and the first of the newly formed three round Polesworth challenge. A full line up of 40 Auto riders was another welcome sight with ever more talent and new faces joining the Wilden family. Rob Yates and Charlie Kent were also making a welcome return to the club with both riders headlining their classes after years racing with Wilden MXC.

The Adult A group was sporting some fast riders with 2016 series runner up, Luke Houghton looking to go one step higher as well as new faces Daniel Parry and Frazer Gardener out to take the win. Rob Yates proved too much for all three riders though as he took a trio of wins, using his experience of the Polesworth circuit to dominant the class. Gardener looked strong in the opening race but Yates consistent pace was the deciding factor as he took command pushing Gardener into the clutches of a fast charging Mitch Warhurst. Second time round and it was Houghton who made the best start pulling an impressive holeshot and leading the opening laps before losing out to a determined Yates. Parry was starting to find his lines and build his confidence mounting a strong challenge stealing second in the closing stages. Final time out and Yates wrapped up the win with ease cruising to the overall ahead of Parry in second just getting the better of Houghton, whose opening race finish hampered his overall.

Bike problems before the day even started saw Howard Wainwright line up in the B group adults but it would have been the same result in any class as he put in faster times than the front runners in the A’s lap after lap truly dominating the field. Paul Groom was the best of the rest taking a confident second overall after a consistent 3-5-3 score. Taking third overall but dwelling on might have been was Ted Bailey. An opening race second set the scene for a fruitful day for the enduro rider but a 6^th in the final race saw him settle for third just two points of second. Ross Parry was unlucky to miss out on a podium spot after an opening race holeshot and two second place finishes in the final two races.

In the adult C’s it was the 2-strokes leading the way with Matthew Casey take his CR250 to a trio of wins and 135 points to his name. Ashley Cartwright managed to hang on to second overall with Ben Ledwidge chasing him down as the day rolled on. Luke Crumpler was left wondering what might have been after he scored a second and third in the final two races, finishes that would have seen him on the podium if not for a DNS in the opening race.

The rookie’s class saw some fresh faces at the top with Will Digby and Sam Price sharing the wins. Neither man would take the overall though as a consistent run of second place finishes wrapped up the win for Jude Hartwell. Over throwing the grunt of the 4-stroke machines was always going to be hard on a fast Polesworth track but keeping on when others fell saw him finish one crucial point ahead. Digby held on for second overall after a pair of thirds in the final two races. Price would drop of the podium with a DNS in the first race but with his demise, Taylor Johnson came up good taking third overall.

The welcome addition of sidecars drew in a mass of spectators eager to see what sidecar motocross was all about. The riders didn’t disappoint putting on three intense, close races. With Stuart Brown/Josh Chamberlain lining up it was inevitable that they would be near the front but nobody could have predicted the dominance they displayed. Three comfortable wins saw them take the overall with 135 points towards the Polesworth challenge. Dan Phelps/Ross Bowers outfit had a great battle for second throughout the day with Jake Brown/Matt O’Connor eventually taking the spot after a poor final race for Brown/O’Connor. They would manage to hang on for third overall though just ahead of Danny and Lewis Gray.

A massive field of BW and SW auto riders made for some great racing with new talent shining through, challenging the Wilden regulars. Oli Waters and Logan Chinncock split the wins in the SW class with the opening two races going the way of Waters. He would go on to take the overall with an impressive ride. Chinnock hung on for second overall just a single point ahead of Bailey Williams in third. The BW section of the field saw a string of fine performances and a dominant win for Frankie Jubb. Nobody could rival the pace of the No.350 as he hit the hills hard in every race. Sonny Rooney carried on his great form wrapping up second overall with Kayden Boyd hot on his tail. Mitchel Pearce was just a further 2 points back in fourth, showing how close the action was.

Brandon Buckley was unstoppable in the novice 65cc class taking a clean sweep of wins on his way to the overall. Second overall saw Freddy Jones step up to the plate with a flurry of second place finishes that would see him end on a healthy 126 points. Oakley Kettle was still adjusting to a 65cc but that didn’t stop him scoring a podium finish in third just a point clear of Albi Hall in fourth. The Expert 65cc riders showed some serious pace with Mackenzie Marshall, Will Haddock and Tyler Hooley fighting out the overall. Haddocks challenge came to a sudden end on the final lap in the final race as he tumbled down the hill. With Haddock out Marshall took the final race win completing his hatrick and taking the overall. Hooley grabbed second overall just ahead of Oli Addy in third. Harry West was unlucky not to finish higher after a heavy crash in the second race but good pace on his Manchester MC Husqvarna will be encouraging for the season ahead.

The BW 85cc class saw Jack Grayson command the class with three race wins and the overall ahead of Robbie Scott in second. Ben White rounded off the BW podium in third overall on 120 points. Kiel Ingram had a battle on his hands for the overall in the SW85cc with Arai Elcock keen to continue his dominance of the class over the winter series in 2016. Three points would eventually split the pair with Ingram taking the win. Ezra Blackwell rounded off the podium in third overall fending off the advances of Jake Graham in fourth.

BW85cc