For the first time in over three years Track n Trail were proud to announce the welcome return to Maiden Newton to the Hare n Hounds Calendar and what a fitting tribute to the highly successful Summer series.

With Mike on crutches after a near fatal crash (if you listen to him) in the kids race, but boy was that kid on automatic 50 quick! And he best look out when Mike is back in the saddle. It meant preparations were always going be a challenge.

Mike was keen to make the best use of the land ensuring that the venues hills and valleys were also incorporated. It took four days to cut through the woods with Mark Cornick and Brett Archer, both in check shirts doing their best "He’s a lumberjack and he’s Ok" bit - as for the women’s clothes you’ll have to ask them. (Thought that was very topical with the Python musical now showing!!!)

The race started, which saw the bikes sprint down hill then turn right and drop again before turning left off camber, then hair pining back round through a series of turns that lead to track that took the bikes into the woods.

Through the woods, the bikes had a choice to drop off chamber down a steep grassy climb or to continue further to meet the farm track and then along a fast sprint to the flinty climb.

For those that chose the hard route, a further hard route choice was on offer that allowed the bikes to climb sharply up hill through a couple turns and climb again.

For those that took the easier route, the hill proved a real challenge that should you stop traction became almost impossible and it meant a re-try and valuable lost time. At the top of the hill the track then took you through a couple of tight wooden turns before dropping down and then again climbing before a long off chamber descent into the farm building.

The bikes then jumped and climbed before joining a flinty field that lead to the third wood section, which in places was tight with logs and roots to manoeuvre. Out of the woods it was another descent, again off chamber, and then climbing to join the moto-X section in the natural bowl.

After the climb exiting this section the bikes followed the gorse bush line and again dropped sharply before again dropping further to the foot of the large hill. At one point some guy on a Honda four banger throttled nailed, sat down

(The assumed position for all four stroke riders whatever the conditions) came flying past me on the hill and watching him climb to the top, impressed by the sheer pulling power he looked great until he forgot to shut off and looped it out at the top - sorry I didn’t get your number (I was laughing to hard!!) but that was the best crash I saw all day!!! With almost seven miles of the same, this was going to a real enjoyable race.

The almost three hundred riders took to the line in bright conditions and the race began at eleven, with the Championship riders lead by Daryl Bolter. It was no real surprise that Daryl lead from start to finish coming first with 10-laps 6-minutes ahead of Jon Hayman in second and Gary Baker in third also on 10-laps. I am no expert but I think that Daryl chap could be quite good if he puts his mind to it!!!!

In the Expert class Mark Cornick (who found his sandwiches in case anyone was wondering) could not be caught which was just as well when his back wheel collapsed. The race was on for second place with Jeff Goss and Euan Harrison competing for over all second.

After three hours racing there was just one minute between Derek Bawn in first and Brad Armstrong in third sandwiching Nigel Wickham in second, all on 9-laps. For the championship it was Jeff Goss who again beat Euan with a 6^th and 8^th respectively.

In the Expert over 40’s it was no surprise that once again Ian Proudfoot took top spot from Steve Cook in second, Peter Young and Jerry Howell swapped places all race for 3^rd and 4^th, with Peter pulling a two minute lead over Jerry at the flag.

In the Clubman four stroke Paul Wesley, who arrived at the track with no body armour and riding the Suzuki four banger for the first time (it’s his age!!) was parked up on not half a lap round in on the parade lap having forgotten to put any fuel in DooH!

Jamie Hallet took top spot the highly consistent Andy Claxton 2nd with Kevin Woodley in third. Glynn Wickham was fourth all on 9-laps

In the Clubman 2-Stroke things were really tight. Championship contender Ian Michie arrived at the track sporting one of the best moustaches seen in years though was it ginger Ian??? Tom Moore arrived with three broken ribs and bruising, that DIY is just so dangerous!!!

Michael Hughes the only man to get nine laps in was 1^St, Richard Couzens was second with the ever reliable Tim Newman 3^rd

In The sportsman 4-Stroke Danny Nash took the top spot with 8-laps and five minutes over Trevor Smith 2^nd and Alan Payne in 3^rd also on 8-laps.

In the sportsman 2-stroke Daniel Roberts who on 9-laps would have been top five in the clubman won by a whole lap over Andy gale 2^nd and Rob Godfray 3^rd.

In the sportsman over 40’s four riders completed 8-laps with Simon Discombe 1^st Mark Chadbourne 2^nd and Andrew Thresher 3^rd.

In the Sportsman Extra class two riders completed 7-laps with James Gigg some minutes ahead of K. Etherington with Simon Diment in 3^rd.

In the trail group Pete Fry (8-laps) this time took top spot from Andrew Coles in second with David Hogan 3^rd both on 7-laps.