Midwest H&H 22 Nov 2009 Round 8

Midwest results and photos on their site www.mwmcc.co.uk

See Jack Stringer's full Gallery www.JackStringer.co.uk

On Sunday 22nd Nov, Steve and I went down to the final round of the Midwest Championship. This was being held at a new venue just the far side of Bath, we couldn't believe it was still on after the amount of rain we had the previous few weeks but were told "It's on no matter what!". We got there nice and early so we had the pick of the parking spaces next to the start and pits.

Almost as soon as we had signed on and scrutineered it started raining, heavily. We sat in the van eating our rice pudding etc. thinking about packing away the kit and going back home!! Luckily the rain only lasted around 15 minutes and then cleared. We then met up with Nathan, Mike W and Mike E. Nathan needed a good result to secure the Clubman 2 stroke championship and we were all hoping his shoulder (Injured at the hill climb) would hold out.

11am saw the experts off the line, Steve had quite a good start but couldn't tell through the flying mud exactly where he was. 2 minutes Later Nathan and I were off, the new Gas Gas is excellent off the line and I was 3rd into the first corner ahead of Nathan (the only time I was ahead all day). We crossed several fields which for the first few laps were very slippery until the top came off. Onto a couple of small wood sections, then down across another field and a steep turn up a really muddy climb, this was quite tough all day. The next woods were on a slope and the course had us zig zagging up and down originally. The first two laps were total carnage with bikes and riders strewn everywhere. Luckily the marshals were on their toes and opened up new lines, eventually we just tracked across the bottom of the hill. This gave eventual lap times of under 10 minutes as the course got drier and quicker.

Steve finished 8th in the experts on 17 laps, this was an excellent result considering the class of riders at the Midwest club. I was 8th in Clubman 2 stroke with 14 laps, now got the hang of the Gas Gas. This was the last event for us this year, and yet again it's been tough.

I'd like to thank Steve for driving us to events, clearing the mud from the back of the van. And finally, for amusing us in the last couple of races with his flying antics over the side of mountains.

Steve is now in training for the Tough One on January 23rd, If you are able to, try and get there to support him

Big Congratulations to Nathan Etheridge. He finished first on the day completing 17 laps, 2 more than his nearest rival. He also won the 2 stroke clubman Championship. Next year will be the step up to experts.

Here is a Video from Jack Stringer - James is featured about 4 mins in and Steve near 6. Haven't spotted Nathan yet. ed.