60 plus riders turned out for the second round of the Ixion club championship held in brilliant winter sunshine although the temperature dipped dramatically towards the end of proceedings.
The venue today was the very popular Standlake wood where ten tricky sections were plotted to be ridden four times with a variety of gravely banks- muddy climbs - fallen trees and steep cambered rooty hills.
Rob Warner 4RT headed a classy turnout of Expert riders a loss of 6 was his tally section six taking two of these a steep drop off the Enduro track with a fierce gravel climb to the observer before creeping along a narrow ledge to an awkward cambered drop finishing with a very tough uphill left hander over roots this sub was arguably the toughest of the event.
John Cowley 300 Mont was second in class with a creditable 19 marks lost John rode section seven a series drops and climbs over roots and muddy slots to perfection his first two visits but as the day wore on this hazard gradually got worse and most riders had to take steadying dabs to reach the ends.
Local Fireman and Intermediate class runner Jason Clifford put his vast knowledge of water to the test on many waterlogged sections including that of section three a steep climb with a pivot turn required before a series of fallen tree trunks then a hop over a really awkward angled branch and a deep slurry gully that dragged up the bank to make it slick for all.
James Carter RTL battled it out for top spot on the Standard white route with Beta mounted Liam Anderson,James getting the verdict by a single dab although they both won their respective classes Clubman and Intermediate.
George Clarke Beta 80 over from the Midland Centre was having a great day and turned in a best youth C performance.
George went clean at section two an undulating affair with a couple of front wheel inch perfect turns then a short sharp climb to the end cards.
Best Novice went to David Johnson back in the saddle after a good few years piloting the Beta to victory with great rides at sub five a series of sandy cambers and vertical banks.
Best Youth B went to Findley Belcher and Tigercub Mounted Alan Taylor took best Pre 65.
On the blue eased course Western Centre raiders Nigel Tomkins and Jon Bliss tied for first place both losing ten marks.
Oxford Clubman Rob Lewis took runner-up spot making section one look all too easy a watery plateau with a couple of loose cambers before exiting out over a large fallen tree.
Many thanks thanks to all the observers and hope to see you all at the next event The Harold Avery Cup Trial.
Report Ken ( The Mud ) O'Brien
Results
Expert Rob Warner 4RT 6
John Cowley 300 Mont 19
Michael James 250 Scorpa 25
Intermediate Jason Clifford 250 Beta 79
Std White Route
Inter Liam Anderson 250 Beta 20
Clubman James Carter RTL Honda 19
Novice David Johnson Gasser 71
Youth C George Clarke 80 Beta 46
Pre 65 Alan Taylor Tigercub 51
Youth B Findley Belcher 125 Beta 86
Blue Eased Course Nigel Tomkins 200 Yam 10
Jon Bliss 160 Honda 10
Rob Lewis 200 Ossa 20
Brian Tomkins Beta 29
Neil Harris Gasser 30
Billy Andrews Beta 32
Dereck Fowler Gasser 33