This year’s one hour enduro event was run in cold (5 degs.) and wet conditions. Quite a contrast to the previous day’s championship round which was a mild winter’s day with clear sky and sunshine. Because of poor visibility and slippery conditions the Le Mans start was abandoned for a normal grid start for safety reasons. A sensible move by the track officials. As well the race was shortened to 45 minutes owing to delays in the previous events.
However when the race got going there was some excellent racing in all the classes.
Father and son team Ken and Keo Watson on a Honda CBR125 were outright winners taking out the Commuterlite class win as well. This is the first time a Commuterlite has won outright. The #60 Gregory Oates/Tom Harrison team were the 2nd Commuterlite home followed by father and son team #41 Max and Chris Young (Yamaha YZFR125). #78 Peter Lindsay/Mark O’Toole (Honda CBR125) came home next.
The Motolite class was won by Blair Briggs and the evergreen Michael Child riding Michael’s Supermono197. They finished 2nd overall. After leading early in the race the #82 Robert Tisdell / Stuart Ellis Aprilia 150RS duo finished 2nd in the class and 3rd overall.
Another Father and son team #38 Jim and Junior Murphy (BBE Honda CB185) won the Superlite class after Junior had a almighty tussle with #65 Tim Smith (Honda CB185) for the win getting it by .074 of a second the closest finish in One hour history. The #8 team of Kurt Wagus/Ian Gregory (Sky Ace 185) struck trouble when in the lead. The resulting lengthy pit stop cost them several laps but they still came in third.
The 2017 One Hour will be remembered for the diabolical weather conditions and some great racing.
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