Thornhill Classic Scramble - 1st July 2007

A large entry of riders put on a thrilling spectacle of racing for an appreciative crowd at Thornhill 2007, while the weather was kind to the meeting, despite the odd shower which allowed the star men to really show their skills on a slippery track. One of those star riders was Paul Chiappa who as well as winning the class for riders over 40 years of age also just pipped Richard Charlton to top placing in the Twinshock Class by virtue of his last race win.

Some of days very best racing was provided by local hero Scott Maxwell in his battles with the Barnes brothers Keith and Tony with Keith taking the overall in the pre75 over 300cc Class after Scott slipped off while leading and took a while to get restarted. Scott however turned the tables by winning the under 40 Class after some scintillating battles with Tony Barnes which kept everyone thoroughly entertained. As expected Peter Jackson won the pre60 on his BSA Gold Star followed by two similar machines of Mike Bell and Peter's brother Colin in third.

The pre65 up to 350cc Class saw the steely determination of Ray McManus defeat DOT mounted Andrew Johnston and Bultaco mounted Jim Allan. The bigger pre65 Class saw victory for Mike Wylie who unfortunately dislocated his knee later in the meeting and had to go to hospital. In second was Malcolm Simms all the way from Trowbridge in Wiltshire and third was the legendary George Hodge on his beautiful Gold Star Metisse. Two Carlisle riders on similar Cheney Victors dominated the pre70 Class with Ant Ireland taking the spoils from Phil Nelson with two stroke Yamaha mounted Craig Dickson a good third. Tommy Anderson took his customary win in fine style in the pre75 up to 300cc Class from the quick gating Grant McClure and four stroke Honda mounted Andrew Alston from Dumfries.

After the interval usual over 50's winner Big Ken Soutar was defeated by the battling John Turner on his 360cc Bultaco with Malcolm Simms third while in the over 60's super smooth Norman Barrow defeated Phil Nelson and Norman's adversary from the 60's and 70's mud-master Mike Barnes. Mike's son Tony took the final race of the day, the Handicap and the prize presentation brought down the curtain on a wonderful day of top class racing during which Guest of Honour Charlie Robertson announced a deserving George Hodge as his man of the meeting. What a day and roll on Thornhill 2008!

Results

Pre60 1) Peter Jackson 2) Mike Bell 3) Colin Jackson

Pre70 1) Ant Ireland 2) Phil Nelson 3) Craig Dickson

Pre75 up to 300cc 1) Tommy Anderson 2) Grant McClure 3) Andrew Alston

Pre65 up to 350cc 1) Ray McManus 2) Andrew Johnson 3) Jim Allan

Pre65 over 350cc 1) Mike Wylie 2) Malcolm Simms 3) George Hodge

Pre75 over 300cc 1) Keith Barnes 2) Tony Barnes 3) Scott Maxwell

Twinshock 1) Paul Chiappa 2) Richard Charlton 3) Simon Watson

Over 50's 1) John Turner 2) Ken Soutar 3) Malcolm Simms

Under 40's 1) Scott Maxwell 2) Tony Barnes 3) Tommy Anderson

Over 40's 1) Paul Chiappa 2) Grant McClure 3) Ant Ireland

Over 60's 1) Norman Barrow 2) Phil Nelson 3) Mike Barnes

Man of the Meeting - George Hodge

Richard Winn.