2005 Championship ENDURO
Round 4 - Melville MC Newton Stewart
12th June 2005
Results for Newton Stewart - click here
With the Melville Club setting up a new enduro in the 4th forest in as many years the riders waited to see what Brian Mcleary and Andrew McConnel had in store for them this year. Ruts - bogs - tight tracks ? - Nope - just a very enjoyable day in the forest. Slippy and lots of roots but some good fast trails as well. The only thing they couldn't stop were the midges - this year they were vicious - and ensured that the riders kept moving.
The first lap started straight in to an untimed test so the riders could see what was coming. Then out across clear fell and in to some tight forest tracks - a few rocky climbs and lots of tree roots to catch the unwary. The test itself was the hardest part of the course, up and down a big hill with lots of taped turns and few easy lines. Rocks became exposed on later laps - so new lines were chosen. But the top riders still put in times within a couple of seconds. The track becoming slightly easier on later laps.
In the Expert Class Murray Thomson JD Racing KTM showed some very consistent times to win by 13 secs from Mark Godfrey. Derek Little pushed the big Ride On 450 Yamaha into 3rd place for equal third with Crawford Carrick Anderson - who fell twice in the test to scupper his hopes of a win.
Andrew Flockhart is still pushing hard for his 3rd Over 40 Championship and had a blistering first test to beat Sean Wooley by 1 second after 4 timed tests. Ian Paterson followed up in 3rd place to keep his title hopes alive. Jim Lauder from Jedburgh showing some fine speed to finish 4th.
Alan Lauder showed the way to do it in the Clubman pushing Ian Shedden ( just back from finishing the SSDT) in to 2nd place. Richard Neaves and Paul Scott tied for 3rd with both riders producing one fast lap and one slow one. Rab Moir pusged for 5th with Gavin Douglas from Yorkshire doing well in Scottish events with a 6th
In the Sportsman David Fergus kept it together for the win followed home by Iain Clark who dropped 30 seconds in the final test. You need to stay on the bike to win !. Michael Rathbone just beating Rob Shaw for 3rd.
With very few retirals it was a very succesful event and the organisers are to be thanked for a great days racing. Many thanks also to the time keepers and test officials who had to stand up to the midges all day - respect.
Click to enlarge photos - e-mail me if you want a larger copy.
 Thanks to the sponsor |
 Small - but deadly - the midge ! |
 Brian Able addresses the riders |
 Andrew McConnel - track builder |
 Grant Smith starts off |
 Jeff McCleary enters the test |
 The start - all looking clean |
 The Boys from Glasgow -
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 Mark Catterson and April Marr - with the latest anti midge gear |
 Paul Scott - Ace Clubman |
 The POWER RANGERS - aka Paul, Craig and Mark White |
 Ian Little - feet up |
 Expert winner Murray Thomson |
 Derek Little gets up to speed |
 Chris Buchan flying in the test |
 Scott Maxwell styling it |
 Mark Godfrey from Chesterfield |
 Malky Bissett pushes on |
 Euan McConnel - marshal for the day |
 Geoff Pennycook - focussed |
 Jim Lauder at speed on the descent |
 Douglas Page exits the test |
 The "B's" - well done lads |
 Jimmy Ballantyne flying |
 Sean Wooley gets to grips |
 Mike Robertson fom Aberdeen |
 Norman Canham from Hexham at the "A's" - as Rachel starts 'em |
 Dougal Walker gets off to a flying start
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 Ian Paterson - eyes on the prize |
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