Oxford Ixion 4th Champs 14.05.23

 

 

Report Ken O'Brien

 

A nice entry of 50 plus competing all classes for the fourth round of the Ixion club championship was held in brilliant sunshine although the temperature dipped dramatically towards the end of proceedings as an easterly wind whipped up.

 

The venue was the very popular Cox's farm Beckley where course plotting was put to the test as many areas were flooded after recent persistent torrential rain.

Ten tricky sections were plotted to be ridden four times with a variety of Sandy banks- muddy Gullies and climbs - fallen trees and steep cambered rooty hills.

 

Top Expert was Daniel Greeves 300RR losing 17 marks Dan put some quality rides in on section two a mix of roots skirting a swamp and a ditch crossing.

 

Fellow Berko rider William Clark 280 Gold was close on Dan's heels all day but had to settle for runner-up spot 3 adrift.

 

William the only hard route rider to clean section nine every visit a 100 yard hill climb with a greasy cambered turn half way up.

 

Alex Taylor powered his way to victory in the 50/50 class with a loss of 23 although Nene Valley veteran Paul Haddingham wasn't far behind on the Beta.

 

Both having good rides at section three a ditch crossing with an awkward left handed camber before powering up a rocky stream to a really slick turn to the ends.

 

On the Yellow Clubman route Dave Barrett was on song yet again with a superb ride on 10 marks lost considering a first time ride on the brand new Beta.

 

Just 1 mark adrift was Brian Tomkins gaining valuable championship points.

 

But the Clubman ride of the day came from Graham Grove 250 Evo on section three in-excess of 150 yards of muddy gullies turns and tree roots four brilliant cleans were recorded here to he delight of the gathered crowd.

 

Thomas Vining took best Youth B on 35 marks lost with some nice rides at section one a series of steep drops and sandy climbs.

 

The ever popular White eased Sportsman route saw a great performance from Robert Bremner on the immaculately turned out Triumph 350 Twin.

 

Rob lost 7 today cleaning all before him with exception of section four and eight the latter a steep drop from the top path though a wooded gully before exiting over a raft of timber to escape the swampy terrain.

 

Oxford champion from years gone past Gordon Pusey showed up on the day with a vintage performance losing 10 with section three proving the main bugbear for the 290 Beta.

 

Many thanks to all for helping and competing.

 

Next Trial June 11th at 'The Common Beckley Farm'.