The start was the same yet, despite everyone having a practice session, several notable and very experienced riders decided to make things interesting by going around the track the wrong way off the start. They were flagged down, by marshals and spectators, within yards, but because of the noise, their comments could not be heard, luckily!

The track had been worked on to a degree but there were still a few ruts from the previous meeting, which, with the track running in the opposite direction, were in the wrong places. By mid way into the first block these had been ironed out in the main.

The large entry was bulked up by the inclusion of the 125 Championship qualifying round and the track seemed well suited to these riders. Tom Fish (Pictured #32) and Patrick Crump battled all day for top spot, Tom took two firsts and Patrick one, as Andy Marchant pressed hard in third. In the final race Brad Frost led for the first half but lost ground slowly and his rear tyre went down. Definitely a rider to watch in the future.

Charlie Hollis dominated the Open Experts. He dropped it on the first lap of the first race but recovered to chase down Dave Wright and Aaron Crowder and take the win, followed by two more in the next two races. Aaron took second overall with three seconds and surprisingly Dave took third. He really seemed to be going well but had a bit of trouble with backmarkers, which dropped him down the placings. Aaron spent plenty of time watching offspring Ryan win all of his races in the Inters and was obviously looking for tips.

Pete Weaver and Tim Burrows fought hard over the top 125 Expert spot. Pete nailed two first and a second, which gave him the overall title, with Tim taking second and Lewis Reany third. Great ride from Lewis, two fourths and a third.

The Open Seniors went to Adam Eastwood, on the comeback trail after a few years resting! Two wins and a fifth was good enough for first overall. Jason Brandrick placed second, third and fourth for second overall with Sam Cox’s win in the final race boosting him to third overall.

Russ Winnall took the 125 Seniors, he didn’t win a race but was consistent over all three to place first over. Cannock’s own Paul Conway placed second with another Cannock rider, Chris Hill, taking third.

The Open Juniors was dominated by Wrekin’s Gary Cheshire. Three wins in great style. In second place was James Haywood! Who? You may ask. Known to the World as Tiddles, he improved on his initial fifth place to grab two seconds and second overall, good going. Steve Rowley surprised himself with a third overall.

Dean Sandland took the Juniors over 18’s despite second placed Lee Pincher nicking a win in the second block. Consistent placings from Rich Bland gave him third overall.

Sedgley’s Ste Plant took top spot in the Juniors Under 18’s with two wins and a second place, the Seniors are calling for him soon. Chris Corbaily’s three thirds placed him second with Rob Strawford third.

As previously mentioned Ryan Crowder was untouchable in the Inters, three straight wins and a few tips for dad Aaron gave him first overall with Matt Weaver just behind in second and Jordan payne close in third.

A good days racing ended soggily. Full credit must go to the Cannock members, who worked tirelessly to extricate everyone from the muddy paddock. Clubs have no control over weather conditions so there is no benefit in moaning about it. This is motocross, it’s either mud or dust, take your pick.

Results

125 Championship Qualifier

1 Tom Fish

2 Patrick Crump

3 Andy Marchant

Open Experts

1 Charlie Hollis

2 Aaron Crowder

3 Dave Wright

125 Experts

1 Pete weaver

2 Tim Burrows

3 Lewis reaney

Open Seniors

1 Adam Eastwood

2 Jason Brandrick

3 Sam Cox

125 Seniors

1 Russ Winnall

2 Paul Conway

3 Chris Hill

Open Juniors

1 Gary Cheshire

2 ‘Tiddles’

3 Steve Rowley

Juniors Over 18

1 Dean Sandland

2 Lee Pincher

3 Rich Bland

Juniors Under 18

1 Ste Plant

2 Chris Corbaily

3 Rob Strawford

Inters

1 Ryan Crowder

2 Matt Weaver

3 Jordan Payne