CHESTER 100 MILER 1 SEPTEMBER 2024

Chester Classic Club 100 Miler Team Race. Sunday 1^st September 2024, Astbury near Congleton, Cheshire………

The thinking racers race! The rules of engagement are simple, a team can consist of one, two or three riders, they can share one bike or each ride their own. Only one team member can be out on track clocking up the miles at any given time & that team rider must be wearing the numbered yellow arm band that’s been allocated to the group. To pass the arm band to another team member you have to enter the marshal controlled “Pit Box”.

When the flag dropped the first wave of around 40 riders ran to their machines, kicked them into life & blasted off into three hours of dry but extremely dusty motocross action. Fast guys could be partnered up with one or two not so fast lads so as time went on it all became a bit of a mystery as to who actually was leading the race. Only the official lap scorers knew for sure, carefully noting down each rider as they squeezed through the narrow zig-zag channels at the end of each completed lap.

It looked to be an interesting type of event to take part in & seemed to require a bit of forward thinking. Bike & body had to be carefully nursed along. Fast & furious riding risked crashing

out or developing mechanical problems that in turn could lead to lost time & thus letting the side down. It was interesting to note the various methods riders were using to help keep track of their progress. Some had a wristwatch on the handlebars & did a set amount of time. Some would ride a predetermined amount of laps before pitting & changing over to the next rider. While others would give a hand signal to let the other guys know they were about to collapse & would be coming in at the end of the next lap, so best get ready. 

When the dust finally settled team #21 Michael & Kev Smith “TEAM SMIFFS” were declared as the first guys to hit the magic 100 mile mark. Looking after the bikes back in the pits was none other than Mr Ken Sourbutts who told me he had changed around half a dozen air filters. Each one totally blocked solid with dust. It turned out to be quite a close run race, second spot was taken by team #22 Phil & Albert Martindale on 97 miles. Third place went to #24 Peter Carr who I think was a one man team & also clocked up a magnificent 97miles.  

It has to be said, the Chester Classic Club put on a great days sport & it provided the one thing classic motocross racers crave the most. Plenty of track time!