Iddon scraps for win

Rowrah Stadium lived up to its expectations today, by providing some electrifying racing for round six of the ACU British Supermoto Championship. The natural amphitheatre, situated in the base of an old open cast mine, allowed near perfect viewing for the many spectators and the tight nature of the track ensured that the action was always close and spectacular.

Zupin Husqvarna rider Christian Iddon stamped his mark on the proceedings early on by snatching Dragon Superpole in both the 450 and Open categories. Iddon was the only rider all day to dip into the sub-50 territory and from the onset, the day looked like it might be an Iddon benefit.

But Bracken KTM’s Matt Winstanley had other plans. Winstanley snatched the win in the first 450 race after early leader Iddon fell foul of the dirt section. Iddon eventually fought back to a hard-won second by the flag after dropping right down the order.

In the second 450 race – cut short by a sudden shower after half race distance – it was Iddon who took top honours but Winstanley, an on-form Leighton Haigh and Ady Smith were all pushing him hard.

KTM’s Ady Smith got his chance to shine in the first Open Class race with a strong second place behind Iddon but the pair of them were pushed hard by Matt Winstanley and TM’s David Tougher.

The second Open Class race, perhaps the best of the day, was stopped after just a few minutes when a shower broke. Tyre choice for the wet-race restart was tricky – while the track was actually dry a strong wind and a black sky looked like rain might fall imminently. With the optimists choosing cut slicks and the pessimists choosing full wets the result was hard to predict but the race developed into a six bike battle at the front with little to choose between the front runners. But by the flag it was a very aggressive Winstanley who won the race on a set of completely wrecked wets. Iddon (slicks) was gifted second place when VOR’s Greg Kinsella slid out on the final turn. Kinsella’s misfortune also promoted Ady Smith (wets) to the final podium position.

In the KTM Junior Cup much was expected of local boy and championship leader Chris Hodgson. But after a nine hour drive to the event it was Cornish rider Sam Chapman who took both race wins with an impressive display of riding. George Clements and Aaron Holmes filled the remaining podium places in the first leg while Chris Hodgson and Daniel Griffiths followed Chapman home in the second.

Next round: St Eval in Cornwall (near Newquay) on August 22.

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