After what can only be described as the worst start ever the Championships luck finally changed as we headed for Scotland. The weather forecast was perfect and the conditions during the track built couldn’t have been much better as the Duns track took shape for the weekend ahead. The competitors started their long drive north and it was time to get things started at last. Let’s go racing.
Open Pro, Vets & Rookies
Qualifying
The Open Pros were set for a shake up and some missing key names meant there were points up for grabs. The field knew this, and the times were competitive from lap one. Paul Severn took full advantage and even with a turbo issue managed to take Pole for the first session beating home Shaun Jenkinson and locking off the front row. Adrian / Callum Loveridge wrestled the conditions to take third spot ahead of the class newcomer Tom Fletcher in fourth as he learned the limits of his new machine.
Tom Welbourn pushed hard in the Open rookies to take the top spot in his Polaris Pro XP followed in by Joe Chilvers in the ever competitive RZR 1000. Nick Payne closed off this grid in third spot with the three cars split by only two seconds. Fantastic first session of the day setting up some fierce racing.
Nick Barker nailed the Veteran Pole with Mike Proctor taking second spot as self-inflicted illness seen Simon Medlycott side-lined. A small class for the weekend but one set to grow after holiday returns. It was time to go racing.
Race 1
The flag dropped for the first race of the day and the first corners were fierce. Paul Severn managed to get away clean and slowly grew his lead lap after lap. A clean late Joker Lane and the job was done. Race one victory for Paul. Shaun Jenkinson pushed on but couldn’t close the gap, second was the best he could manage but that’s good enough in a class this competitive. Tom Fletcher improved to third as Adrian Loveridge closed off the Pro field in race 1.
The Open Rookie class was an exact repeat of qualifying as Tom Welbourn charged on to take the class win. Joe Chilvers was the next car home doing well to holding off the bigger power car of Nick Payne in third place. A good session in a class with more to come.
Nick Barker was the king of the veterans taking a strong win in this groups first ever race. Mike Proctor managed second in his first ever race enjoying every minute of his first race outing in his Polaris RS1. Simon Medlycott closed off the grid for the Vets in what was a great first race for this all new group.
Race 2
The second session for the Pros seen the cards shuffle but Paul Severn remained on top. Another strong race for the Pro Severn car setting a high bar for the rest of the class. Tom Fletcher improved to second as he gained more valuable seat time in the Pro XP, this will get much more interesting as the year goes on for sure. Shaun Jenkinson dropped to third in class in a challenging session for the only RS1 in the group. Adrian/Callum Loveridge closed off the Pro field after some brake issues made the car a handful. A good result all round in another good session.
The Open Rookies also seen the cards shuffled as a mechanical issue dropped Tom Welbourn form the lead. Joe Chilvers made this count and took the race win with Nick Payne pushing through to second place. Bad luck played its part in this session, but this is racing.
Nick Barker continued his dominance of the Vets class again followed in by Simon Medlycott. Mike Proctor took third spot in this one of the classes effected by the holiday surge. This will get tasty once the whole class returns and develop nicely over the year.
Race 3
Race three was more of the same. Paul Severn understood the mission and was off like a rocket, taking the Pro Class win and the overall top spot in what was dominant performance. Shaun Jenkinson beat Tom Fletcher to second place in the session and also took the overall second place another strong result for the non turbo machine. Adrian / Callum Loveridge closed off the back of the Pro grid in fourth place after a challenging day for sure. A great first race weekend for the Pro class and with more names to add to the mix its set to be a great year for this class.
Tom Welbourn took to recovery mode after his nightmare race two and the race win was the only acceptable result. Top spot for Tom in the race but his mechanical in race two meant third overall on the day. Nick Payne drove hard to second and that was enough to also give him second on the day another strong result after a consistent day for the Turbo R. Joe Chilvers shocked the class in his RZR1000 taking third place in race three but first overall. A truly mixed day for the Open Rookies but the best man won on the day for sure. Well done, Joe.
Race three seen the vets drop to two with Nick Barker again competing at the front with the Pros. Race three win at a stroll and also the overall for the day. Simon Medlycott took second spot in race three and overall, with Mike Proctor third overall for the day. A good class for a great bunch of people.
Overall Results
Open Pro
1st Paul Severn 7
2nd Shaun Jenkinson 70
3Rd Tom Fletcher 59
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Paul Severn
Clerks Driver of The Day – Paul Severn
Open Rookie
1st – Joe Chilvers 108
2nd – Nick Payne 216
3rd – Tom Welbourn 74
Fastest lap Bonus Point – Tom Welbourn 74
Clerks Driver of The Day – Joe Chilvers 108
Vet Class
1st – Nick Barker 40
2nd Simon Medlycott 96
3rd – Mike Proctor 13
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Nick Barker 40
Clerks Driver of The Day – Nick Barker 40
1000 Rookies
Qualifying
This class is always fiercely competitive, and this season is set to be not different. The first session of the year was set to prove this, and it didn’t disappoint. Richard Scott is his new RS1 through down an early fast lap and continued to build as the session progressed. Pole for Richy in a great first session for the Scotsman. Antony Green also in his new RS1 pushed hard and was able to secure second spot behind good friend Richy. Next up was the Barkers in an order that surprised a few. Jack Barker beating sister Jess to third spot. A great result for Jack in his first senior session. Rianna Harris crossed the line fifth ahead of Brad Price sixth and Jamie Maxwell seventh in a close fought run. Jeremy Levick and Harley Burrows closed of the field in a great session to start the year.
Race 1
Race one was close and the three cars at the front battled corner after corner. Anthony Green Jokered to gain some clean air early and it almost paid off, but Richy Scott was just able to take the win after a close but legal Joker exit. Not the first time we would hear that today. Jack Barker secured a strong third place ahead of a solid drive from Rianna Harris in fourth. Brad Price remained fifth as Jeremy Levick stepped up to sixth in a great session to watch. Jess Barker was the last of the finishers setting up a great race 2.
Race 2
Race two seen more of the same at the front. Another great race to watch. This time it was Anthony Greens time to shine and again the Joker Lane played its part in the race win for the 105 car. Second place for Richy Scott this time which set up a one race shoot out for the overall win and that’s exactly what we got. Jack Barker held third spot showing he can compete at this level a great performance from the first year senior. Jeremey Levick progressed through the field to a strong fourth holding Brad Price in fifth spot. Rianna Harris closed off the session as the last of the finishers.
Race Three
This session was exactly what it had set up to be. The battle at the front was exactly that and the victor this time was Richy Scott after a great drive took the race win. Anthony Green battled to the end but had to settle for second spot in race three meaning the same in the overall. A great day for Jack Barker seen him take the third spot in all three racing securing the same position overall. This is a great achievement in his first senior race weekend. Down the field it was more of the same as Brad Price Broke through to fourth ahead of Rianna Harris fifth. Jeremy Levick dropped back to sixth and was the last of the finishers in this great session. What a weekend for the Rookies, Well done everyone.
Overall Results
1000 Rookie
1st Richard Scott 112
2nd Anthony Green 105
3Rd Jack Barker
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Anthony Green
Clerks Driver of The Day – Jack Barker
Jesters Hat – Richard Scott 112
1000 Pro Class
Qualifying
This class for many years has been the pinnacle of SXS Racing and this year looks to be no different. Lots of the competitive drivers and a big influx of young talent means every time they take to the track things get hot. This session proved the point to a tee, Tom Fletcher launched his car to the front early and continued to do so lap after lap. First place for the number 59 car. Paul Severn took second place after dominating the Open Class as he worked to adjust to the smaller Rs1. Jacob Wilson took third is his first Pro Session even after a hefty shunt finished his session early. Henry Proctor was the first of four young guns pushing into the class followed closely by George Hales in fifth. Lewis Scotney clinches sixth place with Rio Longdon and Chris Place in seventh and eighth.
Race 1
This was a lesson taught from the front by flying Tom Fletcher. Early on he was able to build a big lead that couldn’t be closed. A strong win in race one for the 59 cars. Jacob Wilson worked hard and drove well to a solid second place in his first Pro race a great result for the Poppin Candy Car. Third place went to one of the young guns Henry Proctor in a tremendous drive in his first Pro race. Lewis Scotney pipped Paul Severn to fourth with another of the youngsters George Hales taking sixth in what was a very competitive session. Seventh spot for Chris Place with Rio Longdon closing off the field in a great race one. Well done everyone.
Race 2
Race two showed just how competitive this class is as the order changed on mass. Tom Fletcher was able to keep the lead but was made to work hard for the win in a classic session. Henry Proctor took second spot after a mistake seen Jacob Wilson exit the session. Lewis Scotney jumped to third chased in by two of the young guns George Hales and Rion Longdon in fourth and fifth. Chris Place marked the last of the finishers in sixth in a spectator classic. Well done all.
Race 3
This shows the depth of talent in this Championship. Tom Fletcher nailed the start and was off to the races. First place in all three races and the top spot overall. Henry Proctor kept his head and taking second place in a great day for the youngster securing his podium spot for the overall. Well done, Henry. George Hales pushed on to take third place in another great performance from the first year Pro proving the levels of young talent. Lewis Scotney was next home in fourth with friend Rio Longdon the last of the finishers in fifth place. What a great day’s racing for the 1000 Pro class. Some big names to return in the next round so watch this space. Well done everyone.
Overall Results
1000 Pro
1st Tom Fletcher 59
2nd Henry Proctor 222
3Rd Lewis Scotney 11
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Tom Fletcher
Clerks Driver of The Day – Henry Proctor
Massive thank you to everyone who made the event possible it really couldn’t happen without you. Wales is calling and we can’t wait 😊