DTRA National Dirttrack Championships Round 4 Dirt Quake.

 

Friday 18th July

 

The hottest day of the year so far provided some real action at the Norfolk Arena. Riders travelled from across Europe, America and Australia for the largest dirt track weekend that has ever taken place outside the USA.  As the evening air cooled and the sun disappeared behind the grandstands the track became perfect and provided some excellent racing.

 

It was 18 year old Tom Neave who was star of the night in the pro class beating Aiden Collins in a nail biting final heat taking the win in the 12 lap grand final. Tom was under pressure throughout from the team Kawasaki riders Alan Birtwistle and Oliver Brindley, whilst Collins was pushing hard for 4th place. The result ended Aiden’s 3 win run in the series championship and opens up the title race as Collins will miss the next round.

 

The restricted class was dominated by a guest rider who needs little introduction. Guy Martin showed his fellow competitors and the race fans that he is able to transfer his skills from the roads of the Isle of Man to the oval circuits of the main land. Championship contender Tom Clements  took a second place spot ahead of current series leader Les Wood who made up for some bad luck in the heats with a blistering ride in the final from the back row to 3rd spot on the podium.

Another guest rider, the highly respected European flattrack series organiser Jan Willam Jansen piloted his Dutch Brother’s Rotax to an excellent win in the Thunderbike class ahead of the Co-Built Rotax of Guy Sutherland with Dave Chadburn current series leader having to settle for a 3rd spot on podium.

 

Saturdays “Dirtquake” line up needs little introduction.  The combination of theatre, live bands and ‘run what you brung racing’ is becoming a firm favourite in the UK and the USA. The DTRA vintage class took advantage of the large crowd to put on a great display of riding.  A heavy downpour made the first heat tricky but when the finals rolled around the track was in prime condition. French rider Frank Chatokhine battled with Guy Sutherland, Paul Harrison and Dimitri Coste in an excellent fight for the top spots. It was Chatokhine who managed to hold on for the win ahead of Sutherland and Harrison.

 

Pro

Tom Neave

Alan Birtwistle

Oliver Brindley

 

Restricted

Guy Martin

Tom Clemans

Les Wood

 

Rookie

Frank Chatokhine

Mike Johnson

David Gwyther

 

ThunderBike

Jan Willam Jansen

Guy Sutherland

Dave Chadburn

 

Vintage

Frank Chatokhine

Guy Sutherland

Paul Harrison