Thornhill Classic Scramble - 6th July 2008

Scottish Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s Thornhill Scramble
by Richard Winn

The weather Gods really smiled on Scotland’s biggest Classic Scramble held at Thornhill for the 17th year with the forecast wet weather never materialising and the track staying in perfect condition throughout the meeting. A good turnout of spectators witnessed the near 100 strong entry put on an excellent display of fast and furious racing. The best battles for supremacy came in a very competitive Twinshock Class with often up to five riders involved in tremendous tussles at the head of the field with the 250cc Suzuki of Rob Butler getting right in amongst the big Maicos of Nigel Sowerby, Paul Chiappa and John Stokes. But it was a four stroke CCM that headed the lot of them ridden with absolute controlled fury by Richard Charlton from Tow Law who was deservedly made Man of the meeting.

Another tremendous performance was put up by Peter Jackson who won the Pre65 over 350cc Class on a big heavy Pre60 BSA Gold Star as well as coming second to welcome visitor Pete Hollinshead in the Pre 60’s, with star in the making Lewis Bell in third. Local favourite Scott Maxwell put on his usual startling Thornhill performance in winning the Pre75 over 300cc Class and coming third in under 40’s won by the popular Keith Barnes but Scot saved his best till last when in the very entertaining handicap Invitation race at the end of the day he came from last to first in three spectacular laps. Anthony Ireland from Carlisle rode well to beat Keith Barnes and Willie Wallace in the Pre70 Class but former Scottish Motocross Champion from 1968 Wallace got his deserved win the over 60’s with some smooth and stylish riding.

Another deserving winner was Dave Rowlandson on his beautiful 1974 400cc KTM who took the over 50’s Class win with ease, with Graham Bell and Jim McQuillin second and third. Graham Bell also came second to the flying Tommy Anderson in the Pre75 up to 300cc Class and there were good wins also for Dunoon’s Grant McClure in the Over 40’s and Penrith’s Adam Purdham in the Pre65 up to 350cc which was Sponsored by Ray McManus. This was one of the best Thornhill Scrambles and one which was thoroughly enjoyed by spectators and riders alike. There was an excellent attendance at the Prize Presentation which ended a really great day of entertaining and hard fought racing.

Results

The Inn Garage Pre 60

1) Peter Hollinshead 2) Peter Jackson 3) Lewis Bell.

Dobies Heating Centres Pre 70

1) Anthony Ireland 2) Keith Barnes 3) Willie Wallace

R S & J McManus Pre 65 up to 350cc

1) Adam Purdham 2) Eoin Munro 3) Jim Allan

Thomas Armstrong Pre 65 over 350cc

1) Peter Jackson 2) Peter Yeats 3) Colin Jackson

Thornhill Inn Pre 75 up to 300cc

1) Tommy Anderson 2) Graham Bell 3) Derek McCaulay

Eclipse Motorcycles Pre 75 Over 300cc

1) Scott Maxwell 2) Tommy Anderson 3) Ian Robertson

Callum Sangster Twinshock

1) Richard Charlton 2) Nigel Sowerby 3) Paul Chiappa

Classic Off Road Under 40

1) Keith Barnes 2) Tommy Anderson 3) Scott Maxwell

R B Farquar Over 40

1) Grant McClure 2) Derek McCauley 3) Ian Robertson

Tony Hegarty Over 50

1) Dave Rowlandson 2) Graham Bell 3) Jim McQuillin

Jim Allan Motorcycles Over 60

1) Willie Wallace 2) Phil Nelson 3) John Bethell

Brian’s BBQ Invitation Handicap Winner

Scott Maxwell

Man of the Meeting

Richard Charlton.

www.classicscramble.com's
Man of the Moment

Scott Maxwell

Willie Wallace and Anthony Ireland with some smooth and stylish riding.

Peter Jackson (21) who won the Pre65 over 350cc class, as well as coming second to welcome visitor Pete Hollinshead (454) in the Pre 60’s.

Richard Charlton from Tow Law who was deservedly made Man of the Meeting.

Flying Tommy Anderson in the Pre75 up to 300cc class followed by Dunoon’s Grant McClure, winner of the Over 40’s.

Deserving winner, Dave Rowlandson on his beautiful 1974 400cc KTM.

And finally, congratulations to Andrew Johnson on being elected Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham.