Swanmore

“Nice Weather for Swan’s”

Report by Kay Turner

 Wind and rain threatened to put on the dampeners and reschedule again Portsmouth MX Clubs first round of their Winter Series, but the strong gusts helped to push the rainclouds away and the racing got underway at the popular Swanmore track.

 

With the young ‘uns and oldies riding together in the adult class, Justin Robinson made a welcome return to the club on his 250F, mastering the track to a tee, winning twice to help him take the win away from Luke “lunatic” Blanchard who snatched the race two win away from Robinson, but settled for second in his remaining races, barging his way around the track.  Rider of the Day must go to Sean Barnsdale, making his debut in the AMX class, and doing it in style.  A second and a third along with a magnificent last race win, aided him into third overall on the day.  Jay Tucker returned to the club after a long absence, showing he hadn’t lost his touch, and took fourth overall with a fourth, sixth and final race second.  Steve “just turn up on the day” Turvey also returned to put a spanner in the works for the regulars, finishing in fifth, fifth and third, just snatching fifth overall away from Ian Tallack who took sixth overall.  Saving his best result until the last race of the day, Tallack added a third to his previous sixth and ninth positions.

 

Chad Sait took control of the VMX class (again!), notching three wins under his belt.  Pre-practice bike problems nearly sent Martin Bradbury for an early bath, but some nifty mechanical work saw him eventually get his Yamaha YZ250F onto the track, and two seconds and an eagerly awaited win later, left Bradbury in second overall.  Shaun Brooker stayed close on Bradbury’s tail, finishing in second, second and third and earned himself third overall.  The usual battle commenced between Martin Turner and Jamie Winbourne, with Turner coming up trumps on this occasion, taking fourth overall away from Winbourne who finished in fifth. Each rider notching a third and fourth in the first motos, Turner edged ahead in the final to finish third, whilst Winbourne could only manage a fifth.  Ian Birkett closed the top six, riding consistently all day to finish in fifth, fourth and fourth.

 

With Barnsdale out of the way in the AMX class, Tom Speer seemed to have the day all to himself, until Richie Waters got himself together after race one’s disappointing fourth, and snatched the victories in the final motos making him winner on the day.  Harvey MacDonald showed pure skill on the track, being at the front from the off finishing in second overall, with two seconds and a third.  Close behind, the talented Tom Moore edged closer to the top spot, a crash in race two preventing him from placing higher.  Third overall awarded on the day for two thirds and a brilliant second.  A brilliant performance by young Harry Seymour saw him snatch fourth overall away from Jazz Beach, his last race leaving him in the lower position of fifth overall. Thankfully disliking his practice bike, Aaron Bowden settled back on his regular machine to take sixth overall with a 10^th and two sixths.

 

Making it look easy in the Inter Open class, Sebastian Osborne bagged three wins, to be overall victor on the day, but Jackson Evans tried his utmost to pass at every opportunity.  Three second places and second overall awarded for a gallant performance.   Gregory Kingston was heading for three straight thirds until Charlie Hughes spoilt his fun, but a fifth added to his first two positions left visitor Kingston in a deserved third overall.  An immensely improved performance by young Ryan Maguire was rewarded with fourth overall, three consistent fourth places notched under his belt, with Charlie Hughes having a slow start to the day, ending up in an unusual eighth spot, he got back to his normal standard of racing, finishing in fifth and third in the final moto.  Sixth overall went to Kurt Bond who rode solidly all day, race one a brilliant result of fifth, adding to his 11^th and 10^th positions in races two and three.

 

Chopping and changing positions throughout the day, Inter 85 riders Tom Ellwood and Gordon Appleton stamped their mark in the class.  Ellwood just sneaked into first overall with two wins and a second, but Appleton rode his socks off to take his first ever Portsmouth win in race two, and it surely won’t be his last.  Congratulations Gordon!  In his first meeting with the club on his 85cc, Lloyd Pettett proved he can ride any bike to perfection, and scored three third positions to come in third overall.  Oliver Paine, another consistent trio of fourths awarded him fourth overall.  Visitor Toby Harkness battled hard with James Windsor and just took the fifth overall spot but a great result for Windsor in sixth overall, scoring fifth, ninth and seventh positions.

 

The Junior class saw Liam Garland take the overall win, with three victories, but Fraser Viner was hot on his tail, sneaking closer and closer every lap up the first hill.  Three seconds awarded him second overall, with another fine performance from Billy Hare, even with a sixth in race one, two thirds gave the edge over his rivals and third overall.  Disappointingly missing out on third overall, Andrew Hutchison still bravely fought on to finish in fourth, with two fourths and a sixth, followed by an amazing result for Liam Knight who finished in fifth.  An admirable third place in race one helped Knights cause and added to his seventh and fifth positions left him with just enough points to beat sixth overall, Steven Robinson.  Robinson rode well all day to finish in fifth, fourth and seventh.

 

Last out were the Autos and a brilliant show of skill came from Joe Jefferies who dominated the class, three wins and the overall victory awarded to him on the day.  Joshua Coleman fought hard as usual to take second overall with three runner-up places, with Jamie Cox not far behind, continuing to improve.  Third overall awarded to Cox for finishing in fourth, third and third.  Another great result, Oliver Evans finished in fourth overall, improving with every meeting.  A third, fourth and fifth placing left him ahead of fifth place David Keet, who battled hard all day finishing in fifth, fourth and seventh.  Closing the top six, and following in brother Liams footsteps, Daniel Knight scored a brilliant sixth overall, passing the chequers in sixth, sixth and fifth.  A brilliant result, well done Daniel!