Areas of the woodland tracks had seen no direct sun for quite some time and despite the general release of the frosty grip that had paralysed the country some days before, the main access track to our usual car parking and start area in Chawton Park was still impassable.

After some soul-searching, the event was close to cancellation, but with careful marshalling and the co-operation of the riders and all the allimportant observers, Neil Bowker with his team of officials managed to run a very successful event. Dead engines before the start and after finishing a lap were the order of the day, which provided a safe environment in the cramped parking conditions and reduced the risk of any complaints from nearby residents. With a few more than 50 riders on the programme from postal entries, it was rewarding for the total numbers to rise to about 75 in total on the day.

Witley and District MCC Annual Awards

Celebrations

Saturday March 12th

Venue:-Compton Village Club affiliated to Royal British Legion Compton
Just off A3 along B3000

Time:- 7.30 for 8.00pm start.                                 Dress:- Smart Casual

Buffet Dancing to Duo ‘Diagonal’    Cost :- £10 over 16’s £5 Under 16’s

Contact Jo on 07791 209 408 or 01483 429523

Or Rebecca on 07790082209 to book your tickets.

Well what an event that was.......full of action, spills and thrills, we arrived at 0630 to help Manny B/Colin B/Simon B and others from Witley to set up the final bits, the whole area of Weavers Down was still completely covered in snow and in places over 12 inches deep and any areas that had been driven on were solid ice, as the competitors arrived so many were getting stuck in and everyone seemed to be helping everyone, its amazing how we bond in such adverse situations.

I was luckily enough to view the course which was just a tad over 12 miles and the conditions were hard and challenging with many climbs and bogs that were proper bogs and you had to be so committed to get through due to their depth, the very steep climbs were great if you had clear run but that did not happen often and the carnage on the hills looked like a battlefield from old. The hardest factor was simply the ice where it had compacted and as the event wore on the ice got worse and was the downfall of EVERY rider at some stage.

330 riders were due to sign on with many more in reserve waiting for the opportunity for non arrivals, sadly one of the big guns failed to make the start James Giddings but the A list was of excellent quality with some top MX and Enduro riders in the mix like Scott Elderfield/Dorren Coutts/Jack Turner/Aaron Smith/Richard Ely/Jack Twentyman/Dan Beaven/Zac Blackwell .

The start was the Witley trademark Le Mans style of running to your bike and go go go.........