Ok, so it wasn't quite the 'wee thriller' that the Classic was, but to be honest the endeavour and effort was all there and that's all you really ask for. The track looked to be a little tricky in places and nowhere more than the third bend which claimed a fair few riders. When everything got rolling though, it was Gary Beaton and Adam McKinna who set the pace, James McBain and John Morrison being the next best riders by a long chalk. Cal McDade had a nightmare afternoon with an exclusion and a non-start to go with his single point, though he really ought to have been higher up the table. Also a shout to Ricky-Lee Beecroft who's riding style is a joy to watch. He had some bad luck with falls and exclusions though.
The encroaching wet weather made things tough as the heats rolled on and it was eventually decided that the young 'uns on the 250cc bikes would have their fun cut short and the the semi-final would be skipped. The top four riders were so far in front of the rest, it made no real difference if they held a semi or not, the final would easily be representative of the best riders on the day. From the start, it looked to be a straight fight between Adam McKinna and Gary Beaton. Beaton had looked to be the fastest man around the track all day, but the grim conditions were something of an equaliser. McKinna got the best of the early exchanges and entered the thrid turn in the lead. James McBain looked to be making advances on Beaton as he came into the bend, but he lost his shape mid-corner and never recovered. From the video clip I took, he'd either lost a mud deflector, or more worryingly, a boot. If that was the case, how he rode for another lap I'll never know........
Beaton made his move on the first bend of the 2nd lap and from there, fended off all of McKinna's attacks until the chequered flag.
A great end to a decent season for Mr Beaton. He's had a few promising outings with the Tigers at No8, especially against Berwick (a depleted side for sure, but he was still riding against and beating more experienced opposition) and I think a decision has to be made. Does he ride at No7 next year and build his confidence, or are the promotion looking for reserves on ridiculously artificial averages in an attempt to win the league?
If his future isn't at Ashfield, it'll surely be somewhere else. I'd like to see him given a shot in his own back yard though.
Tough luck to James McBain who seemed to lose 'something' in the third bend, allowing John Morrison to pick up third. Adam McKinna, I have to say, looked a bit hairy early doors. He won his first heat, but he was certainly all over the shop in the third bend on just about every lap, though I will state that a lot of other riders had trouble there too. He rode a good final and didn't give in until the chequered flag dropped. I had hidden from the rain by the time the Final came around and I didn't have high hopes, but my heart was in my mouth for the full 68.4 seconds. Great riding all round and a level of trust and respect between competitors that is sometimes missing from some of the races you see on the senior card of a Sunday afternoon. Ok I know, different level, different pressures, but to race that hard and stay on in such 'orrible conditions takes something a wee bit special.
I'll have pictures up tomorrow. Blogger, in it's infinite F****ing wisdom has decided that I can't post any photos up tonight. There are clips of the Classic and the Heathersfield final to come too. Keep yr eyes peeled.
Until next season.............
Ewen
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