This Sunday we headed to Ringmer for Round 5 of the Hampshire Youth Championship. Having never ridden Ringmer before, we were in for a treat! What a track, plenty of jumps and fast sections it’s definitely worth a visit.
The big wheel (BW) and small wheel (SW) riders were combined to make a packed gate of 30 riders. Qualified 2nd in the SW, meant Rafe had a good gate pick for the rest of the day.
Race 1 – Cracking start, one of the three riders to the first corner, securing the holeshot in the SW class and leading the race (SW) to the halfway point, a rider crashed right in front of Rafe and with nowhere to go, Rafe collided with the bike on the ground. Having achieved a good lead, second place passed Rafe, just as he was able to get going again. After a few laps, Rafe hit the triple and overtook the leader in the air! The recent suspension service and expert set up service from team sponsor A Spec, helping give Rafe the confidence to push himself. Rafe won the race and holeshot prize.
Race 2 – Cracking start and another Holeshot! Rafe led the SW race, pulling away from the second place rider by some distance. Setting into his stride Rafe looked comfortable hitting the jumps and passing back markers with ease. A momentary lapse in concentration, saw Rafe make a silly mistake and drop the bike in a corner on the last lap. Unable to catch the leader in time, Rafe crossed the line in second, winning a second holeshot prize.
Race 3 – Cracking start and another Holeshot! Rafe led the SW race pulling away from the competition, setting into a comfortable ride, when disaster struck! The chain snapped!! Rafe was devastated, he was on to win the overall for the day, but there was no way this would now be possible. Rafe accepted the position with good grace and the knowledge that all of his hard work is beginning to pay off.
4th Overall – What a top day at an amazing track.
