Round 4  saw the Polaris British SXS Championship head to the Lake District,  in what was a very challenging weekend. Varying weather meant the event team had to move things around to ensure everything was in drivable conditions. 

Open Class

Qualifying 

The session seemed to flow the way most would expect. Mark McCann took pole for the experts followed in by championship leader Paul Severn. Third place went to Louis McGuffog settling quickly into his new RS1 followed by Shaun Jenkinson in fourth. Tom Welbourn again chipped away at his lap time in a mature drive to fifth ahead of Adrian / Callum Loveridge in sixth. Jess Barker was the next car over the line in an off colour seventh for the flying youngster. Could she improve as the day progressed? Eighth place was taken by Olly McGuffog in another solid session for the first-year rookie. Rianna Harris and Jeremy Levick closed off the back of the grid, setting up a competitive race one.

Race 1 

Race one went exactly to plan for Mark McCann. Paul Severn pushed hard and kept the race competitive in the early laps but just couldn’t bridge the gap to McCann. Second spot for Severn. Tom Welbourn again showed patience and moved through the pack to take third place, first of the rookies. Nick Barker was on the move hard after his trip to space – last to fourth in a great session for the Nb Construction RS1. Olly McGuffog finished fifth in a solid session holding off experienced Shaun Jenkinson in sixth. Next up was Jeremy Levick showing progress with every turn of the key taking seventh spot ahead of Rianna Harris in eighth. Louis McGuffog closed off the back of the grid in a competitive race so well done everyone.

Race 2 

A mechanical problem saw race leader, Mark McCann, take a hard landing off a step up meaning his day was over. Paul Severn took full advantage, taking the race win in a critical session for the Championship table. Tom Welbourn looked the expert as he pushed on to take second place in a great race for the rookie. Again, Nick Barker chased hard but settled for third overall. Next home was expert Shaun Jenkinson, chased the whole way by youngster Jess Barker. Louis McGuffog crossed the line in sixth. Rianna Harris again remained consistent and took advantage of the missing cars finishing seventh. 

Race 3 

Race three was a game of tactics at the front. Paul Severn didn’t have to go crazy to get the win. Nick Barker took second place after Tom Welbourn did the walk of shame after an innocent knock saw him out of the session. Well done Nick and unlucky Tom. Shaun Jenkinson took third place in what was a challenging day for the experienced driver. Louis McGuffog pushed hard through the field to fourth. Olly McGuffog crossed the line fifth ahead of Rianna Harris ending what was a great day for the class. Well Done everyone. 

Overall Results 

Experts 

1st – Paul Severn #7 Polaris Pro Xp

2nd – Shaun Jenkinson #70 Polaris RS1 

3rd – Mark McCann # Polaris Pro Xp 

Clerks Driver of The Day – Paul Severn 

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Mark McCann 

Rookies 

1st – Nick Barker #40 Polaris RS1 

2nd – Tom Welbourn #74T Polaris Pro XP 

3rd – Louis McGuffog #24 Polaris RS1 

Clerks Driver of The Day – Nick Barker 

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Tom Welbourn 

1000 Rookies

Qualifying 

This session didn’t disappoint. George Hales took pole position, followed by class leader Jacob Wilson in second, with another main rival, Henry Proctor coming in  third. Anthony Green put in a solid time to take fourth, chased home by Rio Longdon in fifth. Sam Lloyd was next home in a strong sixth. Lewis Scotney dropped back for the weekend to mix things up in the rookie class, seventh for him as he scraped away with dad Mark in eighth. Ninth place from Brad Price holding off Simon Medleycott tenth. Tom Butterfield returned to the class after some missed events and settled into eleventh leaving Alan Curnick and Wayne Harris to close off the grid.

Race 1

This race was the perfect example of going for it. George Hales and Jacob Wilson did exactly that. George Hales broke away and took the race win from the front. Henry proctor held firm in second pushing hard but unable to close the gap to first. Rio Longdon again appears at the front end of this class taking third spot ahead of old rival and friend Lewis Scotney in fourth. Jacob Wilson after his issue early on saw him fly through the field to an encouraging fifth. Anthony Green consolidated sixth in a good finish ahead of seventh place Mark Scotney. Alan / Joe Curnick were next over the line in eighth in a strong performance for the father and son pair. Tom Butterfield and Simon Medleycott had a good old battle in ninth and tenth with Tom coming off better this time round. Wayne Harris marked the last of the finishers.

Race 2 

Jacob Wilson built on his race 1 result and pushed through to take the win after some fantastic driving throughout.  George Hales settled for second place, this time chased home hard by rival Henry Proctor. A great session for the three Championship contenders. Rio Longdon remained consistent in fourth, but this time had a different Scotney to contend with as Mark crossed the line in fifth. Anthony Green again scored solid points taking sixth place. Tom Butterfield pushed up the pack followed closely by rival on the day Simon Medleycott to take seventh and eighth place. Wayne Harris improved to ninth ahead of Bradley Price. Alan Curnick and Sam Lloyd closed off the back of the grid in another great session for the rookies.

Race 3 

There was definite tension on the line for this one as the overall was very much up for grabs. Jacob Wilson broke hard knowing that first was a must for him; first it was. George Hale took second and the overall title of the day. Great day George, well done. Henry Proctor was the unsung hero of this session as he took another third spot giving him the last of the podium place and keeping the championship interesting for sure. Rio Longdon again stayed strong to his race number with another fourth. Anthony Green stepped up a place to fifth with Mark Scotney taking sixth ahead of friend Simon Medleycott. Sam Lloyd improved to eighth with Alan Curnick and Brad Price closing off the field. Well done everyone.

Overall Results 

1st – George Hales #19 Polaris RS1 

2nd – Jacob Wilson #7 Polaris RS1 

3rd – Henry Proctor #Polaris RS1 

Clerks Driver of The Day – George Hales 

Fastest lap Bonus Point – Jacob Wilson

1000 Experts

Qualifying 

As always this was set to be fierce and like always, it didn’t disappoint. The session started gradually with the lead changing hands on every lap, as the session progressed Kevin Haran jumped to the top spot. Tom Fletcher was next home in second place followed by rival Mark McCann. William Buller crossed the line in. All of the top four were on the same second, showing just how close this class is. Mack Priestwood was fifth home and missed the 1:45s by under one tenth again, insanely close across the top five. Sixth place went to Cameron MacDonald in a good drive for the young Scotsman beating Lewis Scotney in seventh place. Newcomer to the class Martin Hales closed off the grid in eighth.

 Race 1 

Like every session in this class race, this one was one to watch. Tom Fletcher got to the front and that was where he was staying. William Buller pushed up the field into second. Mack Priestwood was the man on the move taking third place after starting fifth, well done Mack. Mark McCann was again plagued by a mechanical issue dropping to fourth ahead of Lewis Scotney in fifth. Martin Hales marked the last of the finishers in his first expert race taking sixth place.

Race 2   

Race two was a cracker as Fletcher and Buller battled hard at the front. Tom Fletcher held strong and took the race win followed home by the energised Buller in second. Mack Priestwood continued his forward progress into a solid third place. Next home was Kevin Haran holding on to fourth place chased hard by Lewis Scotney in fifth. Cameron MacDonald closed off the field in this fierce class. What a race.

Race 3 

This was by far the best race of the day. It was a cracker. Tom Fletcher broke from the front, but Buller wasn’t for letting him go this time. Bumper to bumper they battled until William Buller lunged up the inside pushing Tom wide in a cracking pass for the lead. It wasn’t over, Tom Fletcher jokered straight away to get some clear track. The race it seemed was won as the gap between Buller, in first, and Fletcher, second. Fletcher suffered a mechanical failure parking him at the side of the track to watch the Buller win. What a race from them both and the drama at the end just topped it off. Well done guys. Kevin Haran was next home taking second place chased in by Mack Priestwood in third. Cameron MacDonald jumped to a strong fourth ahead of Martin Hales in fifth. Well done everyone it really was a great weekend racing for the experts. Can’t wait for the next one!

Overall results

1st – William Buller #32 Polaris RS1 

2nd – Tom Fletcher #59 Polaris RS1 

3rd – Mack Priestwood #73 Polaris RS1 

Clerks Driver Of The Day – William Buller 

Fastest lap Bonus Point – Tom Fletcher

What a great weekend of racing.  Thank you to everyone who made it possible including our hosts at Dean Moor MX. Fingers crossed we will get the opportunity to return to the beautiful lakes.

Next stop is one of the best tracks in the land, Par Homes.

Let’s Do This!!