NPS 4X Round 2 Chicksands by: Aidan Bishop

Pictures courtesy of: Joolze Dymond

 

 

1st April 2007

April 1st and the sun was out for the second round of the National 4X Series of 2007. Chicksands nr. Bedford was the venue and what a venue, well worth checking out if you’re looking for somewhere to play whatever your discipline. Aswell as the main 4X track there is another dual track, dirtjumps of all sizes, XC loops, northshore sections and freeride trails, so there really is plenty to play on.

As for the racing I was trying to move up the podium in the masters category after ending 3rd in the first round. Practice was completely different from Sheffield, when you finished the track you weren’t in need of an oxygen mask!!

 

Out of the gate was the sprint down the start ramp over a small double, then another and into the inside or outside slight left berm, picking up quite a bit of speed by now. Squash the first tabletop sprint some more a over small speed bump before a slightly larger tabletop then pick up more speed from the downslope, a slight right and there another two lines, the faster but further right berm or straighten up and over a table into the tighter inside berm. Both these berms were followed by an approx 30ft triple, which took commitment to clear from the outside line and even more nerve to clear from the inside. From there another tabletop and then a double into the final 180 degree berm and finish. A fun and fast track, but in my opinion was over too quick (timed runs on Saturday were around 25 seconds!) and not very many opportunities to overtake.

 

Moto time and all started well for me, my first three went to plan and I placed 1st in all of them. The fourth moto and a tough line up presented a good race, I started well then halfway down my 2006 rival Darren Howarth was level and had the inside line, he took the outside berm where I tried to go inside and have a look at the triple…I didn’t try it and dropped back to 3rd, the final berm and I tested it for an inside move but it was 2 inches deep in sand and so my tyres gave out on me so that’s how it ended. Dave Garland was showing dominance again as he won all his motos along with Darren, and Ian Hopkins winning three aswell put the four of us through as top seeds for the next round

Dave Garland "The Power House"

Aidan Bishop

 

There was such a good turn out of masters that we went to Quarterfinals instead of going straight to semi’s. Seeding well I had lane choice and got out front and stayed to take the win, qualifying for the semi’s. Semi time and I was in with round 1 winner Dave Garland, he had lane choice and made it stick and took the lead, I was close behind but Dave didn’t jump the triple (a bad crash Saturday on them was still in his head) making me jump them badly, Dave Taylor took the inside line and drew level, I got back infront for the final corner but with nothing to lose Dave went for an inside move on me resulting in quite a heavy collision, strong enough to knock me over the top of the berm (nearly landing on kids playing on the other side!) and keeping him on his bike and going through to the final with Mr Garland (a commisaire judging it as a legal move, though I think it was questionable.)

 

The final lined up and it looked like it would be between Howarth and Garland by the day’s form, indeed Dave Garland holeshotted again and made it stick. Darren made the triple from the inside putting him through to second, with Dave Taylor in third. I was in the B final and now racing for points, Ian Hopkins (2nd at the first round) was an unexpected rival in this one (unusually not making the final), a very close fast race and I managed to just get in front and stay there to take fifth place.

 

 

Elites racing was fast as always, with Beamount, Yeomans and Ogden looking good in the motos. The final going Scott’s way with a strong ride, Yeomans in second, Taylor third and Oggy in fourth….could this be Scott’s year?

So the perfect start for Dave Garland for the series, although with another five rounds to go he will have us gunning for him, we just need to find some power to match his starts! Points will now be very close between myself, Howarth and Hopkins chasing Dave down, so it is going to be an exciting season….Bring it on!!!!!