BP2

Bob Perring Classic 2003

The 2nd Bob Perring Classic took place on Sunday 23rd November in the Crychan Forest near Llandovery. The start was in the Sand Quarry & the weather was dry but frosty. To make the most of the available daylight the start was brought forward to 9.01. Apart from a 10 minutes delay due to the late arrival of the ambulance, the WTRA organization was as smooth as a smooth thing that has been smoothing itself for over 25 years. In this 2nd running of the event, Bob Perring had once again recreated a traditional forestry enduro where the winners would be decided on the going. The 29 mile course was not technically difficult but it suited experienced riders who could sustain a steady pace whilst avoiding the pitfalls which lurked in the darkness to trap the unwary & drain them of their energy like the Undead. The schedule was 4 laps for Championship, 3 laps for Experts/Clubmen & 2 laps for Sportsmen. Late entries Paul Edmondson & Juan Knight were unable to ride leaving a small Championship class of 4 riders. From the start the course wound up through the trees to Scrach & down to the stream crossing at Bob's Stick then over thrashings with dyke across the middle that gave the rider's bashplates their moment in the sun. The Timber Yard was skirted by an off camber climb up a tunnel of trees to Early Bird 1 then up Lee Sargents, down Early Bird 3, along the Fast Blast to the Fire Tower & down to the Snowrun Quarry across a second field of thrashings. Dropping off the 15' bank behind the quarry that was opened up for the Eppynt, the riders were prepared for the descent of Zig Zag Hill to 5 Roads & then up Stick Hill to the out check at the Cortina. Despite being one of the highest points in the forest, the Cortina is also one of the wettest & ever since it absorbed a Ford Cortina - before the current crop of mature trees was planted - it has had a taste for machines. The Snowrun test, Misery Mile, the bridges at Cwm Clyd, Bonky's Loop. the Tube, Boy from the Castle, Swimbath Road, The Beeches, the Castles, Cemetary Hill (cut after 1st lap) to the test close to the Sand Quarry & the end of the lap. Andrew Edwards (above pictured by Gary Jones) took the Premier with Chris Tett as runner up. Occasional competitor Jonty Edmunds lost time on the going but renewed his qualifications to report with authority on the Enduro scene by winning 2 out of 3 of the Special Tests. Daryl Bolter retired. Neil Williams (pictured right by Keith Davies) won the Experts & was the only rider to finish clean on time. Paul Boother was the Best Clubman ahead of Wayne Jonstone. Andrew Knapman won the Veterans class ahead of John Cadwallader. Chief Marshal Taff Davies put on a set of numbers & finished 4th in the Veterans. Fellow marshal & first time competitor Chris Davies from Cardiff also finished in the Sportsman class. Andrew Sansom won the 4 stroke class ahead of Paul Green. Expert Anthony James will remember drawing rider number 13 as he hit a patch of ice close to the start & had to retire. Stuart James from Aberystwyth also retired with a wrist injury. Peter Milford from Penarth didn't finish but he take his CCM out on a second lap. Everyone was pleased to see the return to fitness of Dave Bayliss. Of the 126 starters, 54 riders were classified as finishers but only 40 finished within their hour.