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DTRA National Dirttrack Championships Round 4 Dirt Quake.

Friday 18th July 

Norfolk Arena - Saddlebow Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE34 3AG, United Kingdom

By Simon Ackrill

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 the star of the night in the Pro class, beating Aiden Collins in a nail biting final heat and 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 “Dirt Quake” 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 and it was Chatokhine who managed to hold on for the win ahead of Sutherland and Harrison.

Pro

1. Tom Neave

2. Alan Birtwistle

3. Oliver Brindley


Restricted

1. Guy Martin

2. Tom Clemans

3. Les Wood

Rookie

1. Frank Chatokhine

2. Mike Johnson

3. David Gwyther

ThunderBike

1. Jan Willam Jansen

2. Guy Sutherland

3. Dave Chadburn

Vintage

1. Frank Chatokhine

2. Guy Sutherland

3. Paul Harrison

Alan Birtwistle Team Kawasaki


First Corner action




Guy Martin and Ross Herrod side by side




Guy Martin




Holeshot!



Oliver Brindley & Alan Birtwistle Team Kawasak




Oliver Brindley Team Kawasaki




Pro Class Podium - Winner Tom Neave, 2nd Alan Birtwistle, 3rd Oliver Brindley




Restricted Class Podium - Winner Guy Martin, 2nd Tom Clemans, 3rd Les Wood




 Tom Neave

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