Hare and Hounds Round 1 at Oror Estate, N. Wales

By TMX Archives on 2nd Oct 06

Motocross

The Gas Gas UK winter hare and hound series organised by WOR Events got off to a fantastic start on Sunday at yet another one of WOR Events brand new venues. This club have so many venues and gems like this one at OROR are certainly hard to come by.

With everything that a Hare and Hound circuit should have like 8 separate pieces of forestry and woodland along with flowing, rolling fields and some stretches of "ride able” bogs, the 6 mile circuit was as challenging as it was entertaining to ride.

The challenging bit being the wet conditions under foot that did put a slight dampener on the event. Constant rain at the half way point of the main race made things interesting to say the least.

If the 1st round of this 4 round series (3 to count) is anything to go by then it will be a very well supported series indeed this winter. Wor Events jumbled up the classes for this series and now had 2 veteran's classes (over 35 and over 45) and a clubman Moto X class to go with the clubman/sportsman and open class riders.

In the morning session was the 1.5 hr race series opener for beginners, Ladies, novice and youth riders...on the same superb loop as the previous days race experience day (one track all weekend), 9.30am saw a massive field take off to take on the battle ahead.

In the novice class Paul Bright was 3rd placed with Wayne Collins in 2nd and Stephen Carter the impressive winner. All 3 were on 5 laps although Carter took the win by a comfortable 2 minutes plus.

The beginners did commendably well in the wet conditions although the brilliant sunshine in the morning race was drying the place out very quickly.

On the top of the podium was Dewi Williams followed home by James Williams and Steven Hughes making a strong newcomer line up.

The small but committed ladies class saw Kate Lloyd on her new 150 Honda take the spoils with a late surge to overtake her cousin, Margaret Lloyd and take a near 5 minute win margin.

3rd went to Leah Jones who just got past Jane Daniels for the final podium position.

The youth class started at the back in this event but the rider that won the class battled his way through the entire pack to take a very well deserved overall race win.

That rider being Gary Daniels, Daniels taking the win by just 3 seconds from the hard charging Harry Hillas in second and the ever improving Josh Bendall in 3rd.

With WOR Events setting up proper tracks that test the abilities and skills of all the riders it's clear to see why the youth element at these events are simply of the highest standard in the country.

With a real buzz around the paddock and pits and with the sun still shining, people were milling around clutching their raffle tickets hoping they might be the lucky one that wins the brand new Gas Gas enduro bike in December.

Also everyone on a Gas Gas machine had received a half price entry into the event/series and the mood was high.

Bang on 12pm saw the main 2.5 hr event start and just trying new stuff WOR put the open class at the back of the field and started the clubmen first.

Out on John Shirt Jnr's GBHS winning bike was Cumbria's Andy Hackett.

Borrowing the bike to test as he usually rides a moto x machine saw Hackett literally rip through the entire pack and take the overall win with a splendid display of feet up, fast, smooth riding, the Gas Gas 250 seeming to suit him perfectly. Hackett took a well deserved near 4 minute cushion from 2nd placed Rowland Morris who also was flying on his Gas Gas 250 machine. 3rd place in the open class went to a committed Ben Newbould that fully deserved his trophy.

With 1 hour and 20 minutes to go the heavens opened and the customary WOR rainstorms came down with more rain in one hour than most people see in a year.

The track stayed ride able and full credit to the marshals for keeping the whole place well policed and cheating to an absolute minimum.

All marshals had notepads and pens and were under strict instructions to report numbers to the race director...only 2 people had to be disqualified which in this weather was quite remarkable.

Overall Clubman victor was the ever green Gary Benniman(Gas Gas 200), Shrewsbury's finest all rounder took the lead with just 2 laps to go from young Ashley fox.

Ian Shannon back riding at WOR for the first time in a while did lead very impressively from the start but riding a borrowed bike had to settle for 3rd in the end in the S1 class.

S2 winner was the big friendly giant from the midlands, Dave Wood. Dave not believing he'd won at the end fully deserved his win ahead of Gavin Hazlett and Anthony Crowe.

The new clubman moto x class had all newcomers in it and was topped after a race long battle by Lewis Arrowsmith from 2nd placed Chester Martin and 3rd placed Paul Pickup. The moto x riders commenting at the end how much value for money their day had been.

Two new vets class now grace this series with the over 35's and over 45's being scored separately although starting together.

The over 35's was sensationally won by an on form Allan Hopwood (ktm 300).

"Hoppy” also finishing in a fine 6th overall as well as his class win. That is the return for the last 5 years hard work to try and improve and raise your game. Well done Allan.

The completive vet that is Jack Twentyman finished 2nd in the 35's and it wont be long before he is back to full fitness from a nasty injury he sustained last year.

3rd over 35 went to Paul Cook.

Splitting the classes up really was a master stroke by Steve Ireland as it really has opened up the classes and allowed other riders to challenge for the awards.

The over 45's was led from the start by local businessman Gareth Lloyd, Lloyd cheered on by his whole family(the venue was in  their home village) was riding very well and holeshot the start, with one hour to go and maybe pushing too hard for his 46 year old frame he hit a tree and knocked himself clean out. Lloyd's race was over.

Plugging away just behind Lloyd was Mr consistent Adrian Kent, he did just enough to take the class win from Ian "widgy” Williams in 2nd and Chris Simm in 3rd.

The final class to write about was the sportsman and this was the biggest class of the day. Young Jamie Robinson on his RM 125 was sensational and blitzed his way to a fine 9 laps, 1 minute and 30 seconds ahead of 2nd placed early leader Dafydd Jones. 3rd went to John Jones.

Assistant Race Director Neil Jones said at the end of the event how pleased he was with the way the competitors stayed to the track even in the adverse weather conditions and Chief marshal Vinny Jones was equally impressed with the riders ability to stay on the marked course.

A fantastic new venue with the usual Military WOR organisation saw this Gas Gas series really kick-start into life..

Round 2 15th October @ Cadwst Mawr, Llandrillo.

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