THE CHELTENHAM North Classic MCC played host to round two of the Greeves Scrambles Championship at Haresfield in Gloucestershire on Sunday 13th April, and a number of Pre-65 MXC members performed well at the tight and twisty circuit to challenge the locals.

Ian Webster (360 Greeves Challenger) was back to his usual dominant self in the three Greeves Championship races, which formed round two of the series. Webster suffered mechanical setbacks during round one at Marks Tey, so was out to make amends.

The first race saw local west country rider Steve Salmon (250 Greeves Hawkstone ME) make a storming start, taking the holeshot ahead of Webster and Danny Albins (380 Greeves Griffon). In was on lap two when Webster relegated Salmon to second place and build up and healthy gap. On lap three, Salmon was passed by Albins, who was unable to catch Webster before the trio crossed the finish line.

Matt Valentine (380 Greeves Griffon) had a great ride, catching and passing Dave Godley (360 Greeves Challenger) to finish fourth.

Regular Hawkstone rider, Graham Hayward, was riding well in ninth place until, on starting the final lap, he caught his leg in a rut whilst negotiating a right-hander, twisting and breaking the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg. As of 25th April, Graham has now returned home after having a metal plate inserted between his ankle and knee joints, and hopes to be at the Maylandsea classic scramble on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May.

The second Greeves Championship race saw Salmon again lead up the hill from the start, and despite Webster’s best efforts, he couldn’t get past on what proved to be a very demanding circuit. Godley was able to get fourth this time, as Valentine was sidelined after his machine suffered ignition problems.

Race three saw Webster get the holeshot followed by Salmon and Godley. On lap three, Albins made a big pass on both Salmon and Godley, placing him second with Godley just pipping Salmon at the finish line for third.

Regular Pre-65 MXC rider Norman Capstick had a good day aboard his 380cc CZ. He recorded second and third place finishes in the two Pre-74 over 250cc races, whilst Dan Howe finished 5th overall.

Tom Willoughby dead-heated with Andy Roberton in the three Unit over 350cc class races with a third, fifth and second place finishes, giving him third overall. Chris Collins (441 BSA Victor) got four fourths, placing him fourth overall whilst Dan Howe placed third, fifth and seventh to finish fifth overall on his 560 BSA Victor.

Collins continued his good form in the Pre-65 251cc – 350cc races to finish second overall and then went on to second in the Allcomers race, making him the most successful Pre-65 MXC member of the day.

The star of the meeting, however, was former motocross GP winner Andy Roberton, who put on a great show for the crowd, finished 2nd despite still being in the pit box when the whole pack had exitied turn one of the first lap.

RESULTS

Greeves Scrambles Championship - Round 2
Race 1: 1 Ian Webster, 2 Danny Albins, 3 Steve Salmon (250 Hawkstone ME), 4 Matt Valentine (380 Griffon), 5 Dave Godley (360 Challenger), 6 Kim Morley (380 Griffon)
Race 2: 1 Salmon, 2 Webster, 3 Albins, 4 Godley, 5 Morley, 6 P Andrews (250 Challenger)
Race 3: 1 Webster, 2 Albins, 3 Godley, 4 Salmon, 5 Andrews, 6 Morley

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