Orkney Motocross Beach Race

Orkney Motocross Beach Race Weekend 2010

� All the hard work of the past few months paid off as another successful beach race weekend has been and gone. Hopefully as you read this all those hard earned blisters are a mere memory.

� Saturday started dry and a little breezy. The sight of all those vehicles parked on Heddle was quite something as you approached Finstown. You couldn�t fail to notice the excited buzz that surrounded the pits, with people discussing the track, doing final maintenance and greeting old friends. With signing in, scrutineering and riders briefing over it was time to get the bikes out and try the track.

� The schoolboys were up first and out on their practice laps but soon made way for the adult riders. It was a spectacular site to see the track covered in bikes, the roar of the engines only added to the atmosphere.

� The practice soon made way to racing proper and I did not envy the lap recorders their job or Tony, reporting the results. The speed the bikes flew round the track was something else.

� It was great to see so many people turn out to enjoy the spectacle and cheering on the riders. There were mixed reports on the track but love it or hate it the riders all put on a great show finishing with the adult grand slam. All this putting us in the mood for a great days racing at the beach.

� Sunday came all to soon for many with repairs going on late into the night. There was also some celebrating to blame for the white faces and bleary eyes. The weather was just right and the tide went out to reveal enough beach to race on. As the morning wore on the tension in the air grew.

�The juniors set of first on their 30min race, missing out the beach itself on their shorter track and from the outset Alexander Brown took command of the race at a blistering pace and by the end of lap one he was three seconds ahead of Ryan Thomson in second, Willis Deans was in third place with Evan Tait right up there with him, and a little further back Jake Flett was giving chase. With four laps under their belts George Bailey was going strong in his first Beach Race and Ryan watt was catching by the lap, but there was no catching Alexander as he was now lapping the rest of the pack. Graeme Smith and Jac Murray were giving a good show in their battle for 3^rd and Jack Duffy did himself proud in his first Beach race, but after a solid 16 laps Alexander Brown took the win with Evan Tait taking second with thirteen laps, and Graeme Smith third also with thirteen laps�� These young riders put on a great show. You should be proud of yourselves boys! We certainly saw some champions in the making.

� Next away were the intermediate and senior schoolboys. As William was racing in this race it was hard for me to watch. An impressive line up of twenty-nine bikes lined up for and as the flag went up there was no hesitation in getting the race under way. With over three miles of track with the beach incorporated it was not long before the pack were spread out and there was action all round the track. Ian Findlay was out in front by lap two and was being closely followed by William Sabiston and Alex Brown, Louis Reid and Craig Mackay had retired with bike trouble and were soon to be joined by Louis Macdonald on lap three. Ben Edwards was running in sixth but leading the race for the intermediates and by lap four the race was nearly half over. The pit area was now starting to get the riders in for refueling, and trying not to drop down the rankings they were wasting no time in getting going again. Jonathan Taylor, Paul Miller and Alex Tait were having a close battle throughout with James Brown and Kevin Johnston not far behind. Nicholas Taylor, Sam Dowie and Aiden Cursiter were also making good speed. Ian Findlay took the win for the seniors, William Sabiston second and Alex Brown third. In the intermediates, Ben Edwards took the win, Ewan Arthur second and James Brown third. That�s two podium finishes for the brown family.

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By now the adults were getting ready for the off and having watched the previous two races and walked the track they were as prepared as could be for the gruelling three hours that lay ahead.

Peter Mitchell, last years winner was looking forward to defending his title, whilst Tony Craig, John Souter , Neil Flockhart, Mark Perfect and Sean MacDonald to name a few, were out to stop him. Our own boys were also up for the challenge. Graham Thomson finally had his bike ready to run. Mark Garson, Dave Henning and John Marshall, going well all season were up their with the leaders.

We had one lady rider, Janice Davidson who put on a good show in memory of her husband. Janice received one of the biggest cheers as she crossed the finish line. Some riders set their own goals. Some to do more laps than before or survive the full three hours. Chris Byres wanted to go flat out up the beach on his KX500 and survive the race. I am assured he achieved both. I can only guess that Stewart Brown�s goal for next year will be to last more than three laps.

Over one hundred and twenty bikes lined up on the start, and with the clock striking two they were off. When the dust settled on the first corner three riders were down as the rest of the pack disappeared into the distance. With only seven minutes gone Tony Craig rounded the corner completing the first lap followed by a stream off riders, John Marshal, David Henning and Mark Garson in the leading group. The riders were thinning out fast as the inevitable breakdowns and tumbles started and the Brown family cheated a third podium finish as Stewart Crashed out on lap four. Twenty-three Orkney riders finished the grueling three hours with three in the top twelve places. Toni Craig took the win with peter Mitchell second and Fraser Norrie third.

All riders gave their all for the enjoyment of the huge number of spectators and after clocking up 106miles Tony Craig took the win and the Rob Mitchell Memorial Cup. Well done to him and well done to all the riders, you are all winners.

With the racing over it was time for the dinner and prize giving at the Masonic hall where a good time was had by all to celebrate another great weekend of racing.

A huge thank you must go to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen. Thank you to all the sponsors and a special thank you to Messers Dass for the use of the track. Roll on next year!

ORKNEY MOTOCROSS CLUB