The inaugural race, of a new series being run by ScotMX, was held at the long establish Leuchars track at Commerton Farm. This new series is the brain child of former GP ace Stuart Flockhart, who has put together a 4 race series to attract all riders from across Scotland and the North of England. There was a good turnout, not only from the riders, but there were a good number of spectators in attendance.
The weather could not have been better as the cold snap of the previous day had gone, and the sun shone for the better part of the day keeping temperatures up and making for great track conditions. The track was well prepared and well suited for all riding abilities. The sand based track, deep in some places, did prove to be tricky at times but we saw some great racing right through from Auto’s to Experts.
There were eight classes to run through and three blocks of racing, but with some great organisation, this well run meeting was done and dusted by 4pm.
The days racing kicked off with the Auto’s. The three races were frantic at times and you could see the intensity right through from the rider to the MX Mums and Dads trackside. The front runners Malachi Allan and Aaron Todd spent the three races dicing between themselves with Malachai coming out the deserved winner. In third and fourth, Cole Rennie got the better of Alfie Stott and it was a good ride for Dylan Thorndick and George Dryden as they rounded out the top six. Although the track was shortened for the autos, this lead to some exciting racing as even a minor spill, meant the riders could quickly get themselves back in contention.
Up next, and riding the full track, the 65’s again provided some close racing. It was Jaden Anderson’s first race in the 65’s as he made the transition from auto’s. Narrowly missing out on a podium, it was a good result. Finley Easton got third even after the odd minor spill but rode well to secure the podium. The battle of the class was between James McGowan and Glen Rollo as the former managed to show his determination and stay in front to secure the top step.
Now onto the combined class of small wheel and big wheel 85’s. There was a good number on the gate and this lead to some excellent racing between the classes. In the small wheel, Troy Flockhart grabbed the first race victory but some gritty riding from Jack Fletcher in the next two races, where he finished first in both, relegated Troy to the 2nd spot. The far travelled Billy Thornton was rewarded with a solid third, with Kian Duffy missing out to take fourth place. In the big wheel 85’s, another rider making the move up in class, saw Euan Aitken take fourth place overall.
Even after a big crash, which looked worse than it was, Logan Ferguson managed to pull himself back to make a gallant third. The top two provided some great entertainment in the 85’s as local rider Ayden Smith, who’s well accustomed to riding in the sandy tracks of this part of Scotland, showed why he won. He was strong throughout the three races and with three race wins, took the overall. It will be a long journey home for Corey Hamilton but I’m sure he’ll relish the second place he earned today.
Another combined race saw the Youth/rookies in with the Veterans. Aiden Gunn had a good showing today as he ran near the front of the combined class, mixing it with some of the vets, but Logan Hendry stole the show with two race overall wins. In both races, he beat some very experienced riders, leaving them in his wake. Callum Forsyth had a good steady ride in third as he showed good speed all day and the hard charging Craig Kidd was unlucky to miss out on the podium as he looked super quick riding hard after an off. The vets had a good number of riders in this class and the entertaining Ian Wilson, after grabbing the first hole shot, unfortunately binned it in the second corner. He did ride well for the remainder of the day but the World Vets Scottish rider had to make do with fifth.
In fourth place, Scottish motocross legend Paul Chiappa had his usual battle with Craig “Smitch” Smith. The pair swapped places throughout the day and considering Smitch was riding a YZ125cc verses Paul’s KTM 250 four stroke, surprisingly, Smitch came out on top today. With the first race win under his belt, it looked like Lewis Farrow had this meeting wrapped up. Riding a four stroke Honda in favour of his two stroke, it was an unusual sight. However, Scottish Vet’s champion Barry Gary had other ideas as he bettered his 2nd in the first race with two hard earned class wins. Lewis kept him honest but Barry showed why he’s champion this year and on a CRF four stroke he “borrowed” instead of his normal KTM150. The pair were bettered by Logan on this occasion in the class though, as the youngster showed them his potential.
The biggest class of the day did not disappoint. The gate for the Clubman was near full with eager riders. Although bagging two holeshots and running at the front for the majority of two races, unfortunately, David Smith faded in the later part to finish overall fifth for the day. He was beaten fourth place by a very hard charging Greg MacDonald, who in the third race looked like me might have won it if he’d had another couple of laps. Had he pushed this hard all day, who knows where he might of finished but he just missed out on the podium. Andrew McNicoll made the podium as he was narrowly beaten by Stefan Robson. Craig Hutchison had his work cut out after a poor start in race two but he was dominant in the class as he secured three first placed for the overall win.
Onto the Expert race and spectators were in for a treat. Apart from a good field, the standout rider was John Adamson. After grabbing the hole shot in the first race, ex-British Champion Matty Fleming, making a return to riding, looked liked he was going to give Adamson a run for his money as he got out the gate quickly on his new Kawasaki. Another rider that pushed hard all day was the very quick, Ryan Thomson. He was unlucky in the first corner of the first race as he was involved in a four bike pile up, but he pushed hard to secure 4th place. With Ryan and Matty pushing hard all day, we’d hoped it might be a three way battle for the lead but Adamson showed his class having moved from his two stroke KTM onto a new Bikesport CRF450. He quickly moved up 5 places after a slow start in the first race and pushed on to winning by over 30 seconds. Bob Bell, another young local rider well versed in these sandy tracks had a great day as he pushed his two stroke and was the best of the rest as he secured a good fourth. Colin McLuckie had a steady ride, showing his pace at times and managed a brave finish in the third race after being thrown over the handle bars by veering off the track and hitting a hole. It looked sore but he soldiered on and secured fifth. Ewan Kermack had a good result today in sixth which was a nice reward for him coming down from North Scotland.
Round 2 of the series will be Sunday 25th November. Entries are already OPEN NOW ! –
- Report – Raymond Thomson
• Pictures – MadmaxmediaResultsAutos
1 Malachi Allan
2 Aaron Todd
3 Cole Rennie
4 Alfie Stott
5 Dylan Thorndick
6 George Dryden65’s
1 Glen Rollo
2 James McGowan
3 Finley Easton
4 Jaden Anderson
5 L.J. Maloney
6 Robbie ScottSW85’s
1 Jack Fletcher
2 Troy Flockhart
3 Billy Thornton
4 Kian Duffy
5 Declan Buchanan
6 Joshua CarrBW85’s
1 Ayden Smith
2 Corey Hamilton
3 Logan Ferguson
4 Euan Aiken
5 Jack Masson
6 Mark ParkerYouth Rookies
1 Logan Hendry
2 Aiden Gunn
3 Callum Forsyth
4 Craig Kidd
5 Adam Scott
6 Aaron RolloVeterans
1 Barry Gray
2 Lewis Farrow
3 Craig Smith
4 Paul Chiappa
5 Ian Wilson
6 Graham AndersonClubman
1 Craig Huchison
2 Stefan Robson
3 Andrew McNicoll
4 Greg MacDonald
5 David Smith
6 Scott OgilvieExperts
1 John Adamson
2 Ryan Thomson
3 Mathew Fleming
4 Robert Bell
5 Colin McLuckie
6 Ewan Kermack————–
SCOTMX WINTER SERIES , ROUND 2 – Sunday 25th November 2018
* ENTER ONLINE NOW ! *
< http://www.MOTO316.co.uk >Round 2 of this new series heads back to Leuchars after a bumper round one in the sunshine.
Youth classes include:
Auto 50cc, Junior 65cc, Small and Big Wheel 85cc, Rookie
Adult Classes:
Expert, Clubman and Vets +40Youth Entry: £35.00
Adult Entry – £45.00
One Event MCF Licence – £12.50
One Event licence with SACU or IOPD licence – FREE (Licence MUST be shown at signing on!)Entry fees WILL increase by £10 at midday on Monday 19th November.
* ENTER ONLINE NOW ! *
< http://www.MOTO316.co.uk >