Builth Wells Motor Club – Round 1 2008 Hare and Hounds Series
Adrian Nixon Memorial Hare and Hounds
by Wayne James

A very damp and foggy morning greeted the riders as they turned up for the Adrian Nixon Memorial Hare and Hounds. It was good to see a great turnout of over 100 riders lining up for the start, although the low mist was causing quite a concern for the organisers. The decision was made by the clerk of the course Gethin Price, to have a sighting lap on the open part of the hill for the Experts and Clubman riders. This decision proved to be a good one as the low fog was causing poor visibility, by allowing these riders to ride behind club marshals it would make it easier for others to follow when the race commenced.

The course itself was some 7 miles in length, 4.5 miles of open-hill and 2.5 of woodland. The club members had worked hard for several months preparing the event and creating new rides. On the day it was good to see a large turnout of club members helping to manage the event. Some changes were made to the course early on the morning of the event due to poor visibility and severe weather conditions. Although the weather was out of our hands, it did not dampen the spirits of marshals or competitors alike.

By the time the Expert and Clubman riders lined up at the start line it was 11:20am. Disaster nearly struck championship rider Tim Foreman when his bike fouled a plug 500 yards from the start, fortunately enough he was able to get the bike back prior to the other riders’ return from the sighting lap.

The club had invited Adrian’s parents, Mr and Mrs. Jeff Nixon to start the event. As Jeff dropped the flag, the Experts got away at 11:25am, followed by the Clubman, veteran and Sportsman riders at 1 minute intervals. As the first riders came into view halfway along the lap, it was championship rider Tim Foreman on his Kawasaki KX250 leading the field.

The riders then descended into the forestry which proved to be more technical and tricky than the hill section of the course. Some excellent Experts had turned out for the event including Chris Tett, Gareth Hopkins, Mark Vaughan, Michael Rees, and last years’ series winner David Brick from Knighton.

The course proved to be holding up quite well, although visibility was an issue all day due to the persistent low fog that never lifted. Although the course proved to be quite tricky in places, most riders seemed to keep churning up the laps.

After 3 hours of racing it was Tim Foreman from Llanidloes who took the win 25 seconds ahead of Chris Tett from Kingswingford. Gareth Hopkins rounded out the top 3 in the Expert class, all 3 of these riders completed 8 laps of the course.

In the big Clubman class it was Anthony Griffiths of Llandissilio who took the win from Wayne Golding from Blackwood, with local rider George Wozencraft gaining a deserving third place, all 3 Clubman riders completed 7 laps of the course.

Winner of the highly competitive Veteran class was 2007 series Winner Neil Williams of Brecon who recorded 7 laps to his credit. In second place was Raymond Whittle of Shrewsbury, with Dennis Harrison of Daventry in third place. Top local in the Veteran section was Club Secretary, Nick Morgan of Builth Wells who came in at 8th place. Another club member, Martin Paolsila Jones of Llanddewi came in at ninth place.

The biggest class of the day was the Sportsman class with over 35 riders. Local man and club member Simon Prince of Llandrindod Wells, took the victory with 6 laps to his credit. Simon has a brand new 2008 KTM200 awaiting him after this event, so watch out you Clubman riders! Second place in the Sportsman class went to Brian Leary of Swansea, with another local rider Chris Davies of Crossgates in third place.

All in all, the day was a great success although the weather was set to try us! Unfortunately, there were quite a few retirements due to the sticky weather conditions, we hope this has not put you off and we would like to see you at our second round at Church Farm, Crossgates on the 15th June. Well done to all the riders that finished the event, it was by no means easy but we hope you all enjoyed it.

Thanks to landowners, Mrs S. Fischer and Mr and Mrs G. Price for allowing the event to go ahead. Also, a big thank you to St Johns Ambulance Service, Marie’s catering service, all the marshals and helpers, and by no means least, all you riders – see you on the 15th June!