Sunny but cold weather greeted 45 riders for this 2nd round 2017 Ixion championship with four laps of ten to be ridden. Standlake Wood was the venue a notoriously wet course although on this occasion dust would prevail on most sections as the winter rains had no impact on the going.
In the Expert class John Cowley TRS 280 showed a clean pair of heels to all with a faultless ride, experience and class showing in particular at sub ten an almost vertical climb dropping to a shallow pond before lining-up a severe looking muddy bank where stagnant water was dragged up to foil most of the entry. Brother Tony 250 Sherco was next best at this sub with dab on his first visit.
Alicia Robinson was best Youth on the hard route losing 30 with four superb cleans at section seven a downhill loose camber then rising to a stony Goat track before a sandy drop then blasting up a narrow gully to the ends.
Best Intermediate was Ryan Tomkins 47 was his tally and controlled rides at section two a series of turns and banks with a splash of water thrown in for good measure, a couple of steadying prods was all he lost over the four laps.
On the Yellow Clubman route Mark Elms lost three as did Jon Probitts the former taking best Inter and the latter best Clubman.
Findley Belcher 125 Beta was best Youth B and a creditable fourth overall on this popular route. Section five the 'Old Badger Hole' proved a tad tricky for most as the final sandy climb broke away but Findley was better than most with three ones and a two.
Ex Scrambles rider Brian Tomkins TRS 280 headed the Novice class on 29 marks lost.
The White easy route was well supported and 'Western Centre Raider' Nigel Tomkins 250 Beta took maximum points with the Wessex centres David Maslin runner-up on the 125 Sherco.
Many thanks to all the observers who braved the wintry conditions.
Report Ken O'Brien
Expert Tony Cowley TRS 280 0
Richard Allen Honda 250 14
Dan Cameron 300 Mont 18 mc
Tony Cowley 250 Sherco 18
Youth A Alicia Robinson 125 Beta 30
Inter Ryan Tomkins Gasser 47
Yellow middle route
Inter Mark Elms 250 Beta 3
Clubman Jon Probitts 300 Beta 3
Youth B Findley Belcher 125 Beta 18
Novice Brian Tomkins TRS 280 29
White Eased Route
Nigel Tomkins 250 Beta 2
David Maslin Sherco 125 4
Brian Ayres Fantic 4
Michael Maslin 250 Mont 5