Rhayader Evening Motocross Series 2011
Sponsored by P.A.R. Homes & Bache’s Bargains

As has become the norm over the last few years, the P.A.R Homes and Bache’s Bargains-sponsored Evening Motocross series could not escape the Welsh summer weather, which meant a torrential downpour for most of the final round of the Welsh Open MX championship. The Cwmythig hill circuit had turned to a bog in parts and although it meant riders washing machines will be on overtime trying to clean Race kits for the rest of the week, it was great fun to watch riders not only race but try and stay upright!

Despite the extremely wet conditions there was another good crowd of over 1,000 watching and once again they were treated to a world class display in the experts racing from Brad Anderson. The small but quality Expert lineup could do nothing to keep the multi-Welsh Open Champion from wrapping up the 2011 title and adding it to all the previous year’s titles the “P.A.R. Homes” sponsored rider has amassed.

Race once saw Anderson take the lead and hold it to eventually win from the quick starting Carl Jones.  Jones from Ammanford had the visiting Hornsea rider Ryan Voase chasing after him on his 450cc Kawasaki but despite the difficult riding conditions, Jones managed to keep it upright on the slippery race line to take a superb runner-up spot. It was another Welsh rider in the mud ball shape of Andrew Gillett from Port Talbot that finished just off the podium placing with the international lineup of Dublin’s Stuart Edmonds in fifth place. Fortunes changed for what turned out to be not only the second Expert class race, but after a good call from the race organiser the final one. With the rain showing no sign of letting up and the light thinking of fading early and letting the night advance quickly, it was decided to cut the racing from three to two blocks which meant a slightly earlier finish than normal, a decision no rider or spectator, least alone the marshals out on their posts would have worried about! So with the second and Final expert race of the 2011 season underway as the gates dropped it was Carl Jones that got the holeshot, the lead however was only brief as Anderson once again took over the charge from the front. Showing almost little respect for the conditions another masterful display of mud mashing saw the Anderson pull away from the rest with comparative ease and once clear, hold a safe distance to cruise to victory. Tigerton’s Alex Snow came through the melee of riders to eventually take runner up spot from Kayne Lamont on the 250cc Suzuki, the New Zealand rider adding yet more international flavour to the nights line up. Voase finished in fifth place which gave him eleven points, just enough to seal overall runner up on the night. However, 2011 Champion Anderson was once again Prince of Wales. All that was left to do before the long trip home to Tawlaw for the champion was top up his night’s earnings in the Dash for Cash. This he duly achieved from Irishman Stuart Edmonds with Snow holding off Jones for fourth spot.
 
In the Senior class racing it was essential to get a good start and clear of the pack, as most of it was falling over not only in the bike swallowing corners but even the greasy straight were washing away rider bikes from underneath them at times! In the first round a seemingly long four weeks and baked in sunshine time ago, Jonathan Roderick- Evans had impressed with smooth style. The Carmarthen based rider looked to be on for another good night as he took the first senior class win from Oswestry’s Justin Kendrick –Jones and Herefords Chris Rudd, who seemed at home in the mud! Moto two however and it was one slight slip that sent Roderick – Evans out of contention as he coated himself in Cwmythig mud. Kendrick – Jones took full advantage of the opportunity and controlled his pace to cross the finish line and take the chequered flag from Ricky Roderick, cousin to Roderick – Evans.  Aberdare’s Kevin Williams took third spot with Rudd swimming through the mud to fourth which was good enough for overall runner up on the night to Kendrick – Jones. Stourport-on-Severn was the start location for top junior rider Liam Garbett who took his 350cc KTM to both race wins from Rhys Davies and Jason Rowlands
 
Hereford’s Karl Harrison did not look very novice-like as he failed to fall over in either of the Novice class motos. Indeed, he completely blew his cover by winning both races with ease! There was plenty of ease amongst the rest of the class, ease in making it look easy to fall over that was. Despite at times there being several riders down on different parts of the track, the mud provided a soft landing and the night passed with no injuries in any class, just lots of fun! More fun for those watching perhaps! Mathew Williams had made the 70 mile trip up from Swansea and took runner-up in moto one but failed to make it around in moto two. Ed Jones took runner-up in the final race but with two fourth spot placings, it was another Hereford rider in Jamie Linton that took the overall novice class place behind Harrison.