Harri Kullas became a two-time winner of the Steel Hawk Motorcycle Club’s ‘Rock it ‘til Sundown Midweek Summer Motocross Classic’ by winning the ‘Relax to Race’ Super final at Cusses Gorse MX last night.
The Super Final followed an epic day of Youth and Adult racing on a track that was superbly maintained throughout the day in warm and windy conditions by Justin Barclay and his team. The Relax to Race Super Final consisted of the top 20 riders from the earlier two MX1 and MX2 motos, with Kullas looking in sublime form to take both ASA United Husqvarna MX1 Moto wins for overall victory in that class. In the final, the Cab Screens Deos Group Honda rider from Estonia once again catapulted from the start and with some superfast early laps maintained the pace to win the title for the second year, and in doing so getting to hold the new perpetual ‘Rock it ‘til Sundown’ Guitar aloft on the Podium.
Behind Kullas the battled raged hard for the number two spot with fast-starting Irish Apico Husqvarna racer Stu Edmonds holding off the impressive Jack Brunell until the fifth lap when ASA United Husqvarna’s Brunell got the edge to finish second ahead of Edmonds, who kept the advancing Gabriel Motocross KTM racer, Liam Knight, at bay for third. Knight would work his way past Chambers Racing Husqvarna’s Tom Grimshaw who looked rapid all evening long, and by coming fifth, would be the highest placed MX2 rider in the Super Final. Kullas’s Cab Screens teammate Dan Thornhill was never far behind and finished a solid sixth.
The start of the first ASA United Husqvarna MX1 class saw a red flag after a coming together between Brad Todd and Adam Chatfield as the pair were fighting for the lead. Chatfield would stay on, but Todd came down hard and needed treatment and would not take any further part in the event. Kullas who was in about sixth place at the time of the incident made the holeshot in the restart and was being chased hard by MSR Racing’s New Zealander Dylan Walsh, who had to relinquish the challenge as the Estonian sped off into the distance and had to settle for second. Josh Spinks was third just ahead of the hard-charging Knight in fourth and last years third-place finisher Jake Millward fifth. Thornhill, Edmonds, Brunel, Chatfield and Josh Taylor would round out the top ten.
In moto two Kullas once again powered to the holeshot and the early lead and never looked back for the win and the overall. The action was all occurring behind the leader as Edmonds was riding a blinder in second and being hounded by a more determined-looking Millward. Millward did eventually pass Edmonds, but the Irishman pounced straight back with a great move into second while a frustrated Millward would take a fall and drop back down the field. Knight once again showed late moto speed and would move past Edmonds with two laps to go, but again Edmonds was not done, and with fighting spirit he fought to the line, but by a nose it was Knight who would gain the upperhand for second, and with a 4-2 scorecard he would take the number two spot on the Podium. Edmonds would finish the moto in third and would match that feat in the overall classification. Brunell would finish moto 2 in fourth with Taylor showing his liking for Wednesday race action in fifth. The remainder of the top 10 was Millward, Chatfield, Callum Mitchell and Dan Thornhill and Joe Clayton.
In the MGS Offroad Training Events MX2 class, Rob Hooper Racing’s Taylor Hammal stamped his authority early doors by topping qualifying. After surfacing from the first corner of Moto one in fourth he made quick work of making his way to the front passing James Carpenter, Buildbase Honda’s Steven Clarke and Grimshaw to be in the lead by the end of the first lap. Grimshaw wasn’t done though, and he snapped at Hammal’s heels for the first half of the moto before the RHR Yamaha rider would start to break away to take the chequered flag over Grimshaw by 12 seconds. Clarke began to find his rhythm towards the end of the moto and finished just a few seconds shy of his rival to finish third with Carpenter fourth. Ike Carter’s move to the Adult ranks is proving successful and after trading places with Charlie Cole early in the moto he would finish 5th with Cole 6th, Rob Hooper Racing’s Sam Nunn in 7th, Dirt Hub’s Dylan Woodcock in 8th, year one ‘Rock it’ hero Adam Harris in ninth and Ryan Butler 10th.
Hammal would make a rare holeshot in Moto 2, and with Grimshaw in second the first laps saw these two setting a blistering pace with Grimshaw right on his rivals rear wheel, but a fall would quell his attack. Grimshaw would pick himself up and retain his second spot while Hammal would take the chequers by a comfortable margin. Carpenter came good towards the end of the moto and pressurised Grimshaw but would have to settle for third, followed by Woodcock, Cole, Nunn, Carter, Harris, last years Adult A winner Josh Coleman of Wulfsport Meredith Suzuki and GRT Holeshot KTM’s Kyle McNicol, who would round out the top 10. On the Podium it would be Hammal, flanked by Grimshaw and Carpenter.
In the Matrix Vets MX1 class those who braved the main MX1 group would win the day, and it was last years Champ Chris Brown who fared the best among the big guns and would be rewarded for his win with a huge stash of Matrix Concepts goodies courtesy of Madison.co.uk and a Bel-Ray maintenance pack from Rapid Moto Distribution. Ste Marlow would finish second with Chris Peaty in third, both also receiving Matrix prizes with all three podium racers in the Vets classes receiving a T-Shirt courtesy of Bravery.org.uk.
Paul Whillians mixed it with the young guns in the main MX2 race to take the £300’s worth of ODI vouchers, (again thanks to Madison.co.uk) in the ODI Vets MX2 group with Glen Bixby in second, also racing in the main ‘fastest 40’ MX2 motos. Sam Lewis was the highest MX2 Vet in the B race so would finish third. Sam Jones would win both Moto’s in the Adult B race taking the MX1 win too ahead of Sean Kettlewell and Perry Matterface. In the MX2 half of the B race Catherine King reigned supreme with the win from Charlotte Hall and Tom Gillingham.
The Youth racers were up early and super keen for the third staging of the Steel Hawk Motorcycle Club “Rock it ‘til Sundown” Midweek Summer Motocross Classic, which took place at the Cusses Gorse MX track near Salisbury on Wednesday.
Watering had taken place all night and early into the morning so that the circuit was in prime condition for the days racing, and with the Stolen Bike Co Youth event being separate to the evening’s Adult action all eyes were on the young talent on show. Stolen Bike Co have supported the event since day one and once again awarded the winners of the Auto, Junior, and both 85cc classes with one of their awesome BMX bikes.
The Alpinestars Auto class was a new addition to the event and a whole heap of new heroes would emerge. 34 of them in fact as every single one of them won the hearts of everyone who saw them tackle the circuit with enthusiasm, guts and guile and coming off the track with huge smiles on their faces, which at the end of the day is what it is all about. Also a special mention for Ollie Walker and Finley Bardell who were both taking part in their first ever race meeting.
At the front of the pack Riley Ray Barrow was an absolute dynamo and would clear off into the distance in each and every moto, going 1-1-1 to take home a set of Alpinestars kit, as did Tommie Perfect in second and William Dennis in third. These three have bundles of talent and right here you have the future of our sport.
The top three riders in all classes were also awarded with a bottle of Duck Smart Earth Mover Bike Cleaner. Thanks Duck Smart. On top of that Scotty Williamson also donated a RNR Mud Scraper for each rider who made the podium.
Back to the Auto’s and behind the three main contenders the battle was raging but emerging the strongest was Tommy Ward who consistently stayed in the top five in each moto for fourth overall. Ward would edge out Jamie Currie in fifth, while Aaron Shepherd-Smith grew in confidence as the day went on and rode a storming last race to finish fourth and take sixth overall. Rafe Symons in seventh, Chad Prince in eighth and Tom White in ninth would all tie on points but the last race was the decider and Symons came good when it mattered. Jett Gardiner would take tenth position and but for a DNF he would have been higher up the standings. Lucas Sansom who finished 11th would also win the “Bad Ass Badger award” presented to him by the legend that is Badger Goss for “powering through an almighty tank slapper”. Lucas has already been into Bryan Goss Motorcycles in Yeovil to collect his kit at the time of writing this report!!
At the end of the day all 34 of these little rippers were winners and we are super proud to have them as part of the event.
A new champion would be crowned in the Troy Lee Designs Junior 65 class and the new king would be Robbie Daly, who although was untouchable in the races had to settle for the second gate pick after Olivia Reynolds put in a blisteringly fast lap in qualifying to take pole. Reynolds would take a big tumble in Race one and with a shortened race due to a red flag her fight back to the front of the pack was cut short. Still she made up for it with two fantastic seconds in the following two motos to help her to fourth overall also winning the Generate Hustler award for her class. It was super tight for the runners up spot but in the end by just a solitary point it went the way of Stanley Siebert over Archie Edwards. Both of these talented youngsters alongside Daly would receive a Troy Lee Designs helmet courtesy of Ci Sport, but it doesn’t end there because those helmets are being sent to Image Design Custom, helmet sprayer to many MXGP stars where they’re going to be sprayed up with each rider’s name and number… how cool is that?! Lucas Lee would finish in fifth overall but he was on the cusp of the podium with some great riding. Cameron Chapman, Jayden Neale, George Clark, Jack Dugmore and Freddie Richards would fill the remainder of the top ten in a hugely talented class.
James Peters in the 65’s would also be awarded with a voucher from Neil Berry of E-Enduro to enjoy an experience on their electric bikes. Thanks to Neil for his support with yet another great prize.
Charlie Richmond in the Fly Racing Small Wheel 85’s was a class act and he was another rider to take all three Moto wins. He could never relax though as Josh Vail was always ready to take advantage of any mistakes Richmond would make and was in close enough contact with the leader to make his presence felt. Vail would be joined on the podium by Reece Jones who fired in two great thirds in the opening two motos. The top three would all receive a set of Fly race kit courtesy of the guys at RaceFX. Thanks to Paul Irwin and the team for their support. Joey Benfield may have been on the fringes of the podium but the lad is quick and he showed that with a great third in the final moto and that helped him clinch fourth overall over Ryan Waggott who would win the Pod Hard Charger award and a set of Pod knee braces courtesy of Madison.co.uk. In fifth place was Gus Mustoe and for never giving up and riding so well was this classes Generate Hustler award winner. Last year’s 65cc champ Freddie Gardiner already looks at home in the Small Wheels and was getting faster as the day went on and would take seventh overall with RITS debutant Harlow Green impressing in eighth. Riley Ingram was another 65cc racer from last year to take the step up and he did it with class, finishing with an impressive ninth overall ahead of Rocco Hands in tenth.
Rueben Alway was yet another spot prize winner from this group and would receive a set of Leatt kit courtesy of Neil Berry of E-Enduro for his efforts.
Unlike in the other youth classes where the winner was clear cut, and with maximum points this certainly wasn’t the case in the Oakley Big Wheel 85 category where the best racing of the day was found. Mackenzie Marshall would draw first blood and win the opening moto but only by a whisker as Tyla Hooley was breathing down his neck. In Moto 2 James Barker put the hammer down and led for 2/3rds of the moto but Hooley was on his tail and with two laps to go made the move into the lead. Barker though never backed down from the challenge and fought hard finishing just 2 seconds behind Hooley at the chequers. Marshall would fall on the opening lap of moto 2 but would work his way up to sixth, which was a great exercise of damage limitation. Hooley was back at the front of the field in the final race and once again Barker kept him on his toes but Tyla remained composed to take the race win and the title, with Barker second and Marshall third all of who received a set of Oakley O Frame Goggles courtesy of RaceFX. Harrison Greenough had a great day and attacked the track to finish fourth overall ahead of the stylish Billy Askew in fifth. RITS regular Louie Vincent rode superbly in a stacked field for sixth and Harrison Roberts who had a great fourth in moto 2 was seventh. Kyrron Carron took eighth on the day a place higher than 2018 Small Wheel runner up Henry Life in ninth and Harvey Antrobus in tenth.
In the FXR Rookie class 2018 champ, ASA United Husqvarna’s Bobby Bruce was rapid to say the least and he was in unbelievable form in the 125’s going through the card for the overall and bagging a set of FXR kit with it and a full Pro Circuit pipe from Madison.co.uk Yep you heard right, a full Pro Circuit Pipe! Last year’s runner up and 2018 Big Wheel winner Jude Morris was a sure fire contender but he crashed out in moto one dislocating his shoulder. Get well soon Jude. Taking up the mantle though was Cab Screens Deos Group supported rider Joe Brookes who fired in with three great races for second overall. Harvey Cashmore kept his 2 stroke singing for third and X-Cast Media rider Josh Bassett rode well for fourth with a fine third in the final moto. Leon Ongley hammered home sixth overall with Alexander Mortada in sixth. Harvey James was an early podium contender but a final moto DNF relegated him to seventh. Jamie Collins was eighth, Jay Phillips ninth and Raife Broadley tenth.
2018 125 runner up Louie Kessel has now switched to the four banger and the 250 category of the Rookie class and he has done it with great success as he piled in with the full set of race wins to take the title and set of Talon Wheels. Yeah we know, pretty cool prize for a day’s racing. Thanks to Talon for being behind us every step of the way and for putting up this amazing prize. Louie also wins a set of FXR race kit courtesy of Rookie class sponsors for the second year running. Team Green Kawasaki’s Cullen Scott was quick out of the traps and couldn’t quite replicate his MX Nationals win at the weekend having to settle for second overall but he looks a class act on a bike that’s for sure and he would win some FXR casual clothing as does third placed Ty Westcott who is another rider who has a bright future in the sport ahead of him. Jamie Wilson and Myles Taylor duked it out for fourth and fifth while RITS regular Connor Warren would rue a low scoring first moto as two fourths in the final two motos could of seen him be in contention for a podium. Warren would end up sixth. Another RITS stalwart Tristan Daniels rode well for seventh, ahead of Alfie Card in eighth, Alex Kazakos in ninth and Louis Osmond in tenth. Double and reigning champ Ben Clayton had a day to forget, after a strong fourth in the opening moto his engine would blow in the second race ending his day.
On top of all of the podium and Hard charger prizes, Madison.co.uk also supported the Holeshot awards with Dunlop tyres for the first moto and an Ogio Ruck Sack for the second moto. Grabbing the wire in both motos in the Auto class was Riley Ray Barrow. Archie Edwards was first past the post in the opening 65 race while Robbie Daly nailed it in moto two. It was a Charlie Richmond double in the Small Wheel 85’s, while Jake Cappa made the start of his life to grab the first Big Wheel race holeshot. In the second BW race Louis Vincent fired from the line with lightning speed. Cullen Scott claimed the goods in the first rookie moto with Louie Kessell replicating that feat in race two.
The Steel Hawk Motorcycle Club would like to thank Justin and Christine Barclay of Cusses Gorse for providing a fantastic venue and all of their hard work on the day and leading up to the event. Roy Barton, Andy Watts and all off their track crew and site staff. Also all of the marshals and helpers, the catering and trade stands. A big shout out to their sponsors Relax to Race, Monsters of Dirt, Stolen Bike Co, ASA United Husqvarna, MGS Offroad Training Events and Crescent Yamaha, as well as all of those sponsors who provided such an amazing array of prizes and last but certainly not least, all of the riders and parents for supporting the event and leaving the site clean and tidy of rubbish….bar one bin bag left in the middle of the paddock!
Pics by Dave Rich