The final round of the NPS 4x series went down at Chicksands at the weekend.

Dave the Baker takes up the story:

After some pretty major track changes the last round of the NPS 4X kicked up some roost at Chicksands in Bedfordshire. The whole weekend saw a big crowd on both days with the already reported Dirts Wars on the Saturday and racing on Sunday.

The track has kept some of its features and some have been modified to give better opportunities for overtaking. Out of the gate its into a couple of humps that can be pedalled over for speed or jumped for fun!
The track then divides into two lanes, the out side being smooth and fast with the inside taking a bit more concentration with two small log drops. Then down to the first table, with some good speed at this point clearing the double sets you up smoothly into the two new turns. Right hand berm first or cut through the middle if you can make it stick and over the 5 logs on the inside or stick to the berms and keep it smooth round the outside. Maintinaing speed over the next small step down can be tough before a flat out sprint to the triple jump. After either a manual or double and pump its over the second table and down to the new larger doubles before a long steep 180 turn. Two line choices here, inside or out, if you can make the inside stick then it can be a race winning move but the outside is where the speed lies. Over the step up and then a double and over the line.

During practice a lot of time was spent with people sessioning the new corners leading to some very interesting lines that were actually taped off for race day but none the less the riders stepped it up and put down the moves. After a few showers during the week the track was riding well, it took a beating over the weekend but made for some great racing.

Scott Beaumont dazzled the other Pro_Elite guys with his less than subtle Worlds kit to take the win, he was looking fast through practice and the distinct advantage of great gates makes the difference. Naked Racing’s Scott Roberts put in a stormer to secure 2nd place ahead of local boy Tom Dowie who blasted down ahead of Duncan Ferris through the new turns. Bright colours must be fast at the moment as Alex Metcalfe proved his Nationals Stripes to take the win in the Junior catagory aboard his bright orange On-One bike. Dan Bateson pushed hard and came in 2nd with Adam Thomas and James Oliver in 3rd and 4th respectively.

Katy Curd was, as usual, looking fast, aking the win ahead of Charlotte Green and Suzanne Lacey in 3rd, Cara Murray added to the Naked Racing team points tally in 4th. As well as seeing Oggy Junior on the track at the weekend Martin took the Master win with his usual show of power, having dominated the 4X series all year and taking the National Champs jersey at Round 5 Oggy is still as fast as he has ever been.

Chris Hatcher of Team Winners 44 Racing came in 2nd and Keith Wilson put in a blinder to get 3rd place, just off the podium in 4th was Nick Hill. Rich Lane took the win in Senior ahead of Nathan Parsons riding for The Bike Yard and Lee Feery in 3rd, John Hewitt aboard his new steed from Brooklyn Machine Works came in 4th. Wrapping up a successful season Isaac Mundy pulled out another win flying to victory in his National Stripes after defending them at Round 5. 44 Racing made another podium appearence in the form of Jono Jones in 2nd with Eddie Pugh edging Dom Barden for 3rd.

More great racing followed in the Juvenile category with Bardolph Kerr not quite managing to keep his Nationals form coming in behind Luke Cryer, Alex Ruther took 3rd from Dylan Grell-Delsol in 4th. In the Big Fun Dirt’s very own Steve ‘Butcher’ flatted in the B final coming in 4th, a shame as the meat man was looking quick aboard his new Yeti. The Final came down to an exciting race with Lewis Richards holding off Dirt Wars winner Tom Reynolds and Phil Neil for the win.
The Fun 12-17 is a great category for the young guns to give 4X a go but that doesn’t mean the racing isn’t tight. Will Meyer squeezed out Danny Hughes in 2nd and Guy Woodliffe-Thomas in 3rd with Jordan Lunn taking up 4th spot.

A great weekend of racing to finish off the National Points Series that saw Will Longden take the overall Pro Elite win for the season and 44 Racing taking the team win by 10 points from Team Naked Racing.

Full results can be found on www.nakedracing.com.

There is a 3 round winter series taking place so keep your eyes peeled for that one and get some winter race practice in.

Until next season…..

Dave ‘The Baker’

Photos are from a Secret Duck and Joss Guest

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