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The 2009 Greeves Classic Scrambles Series champion, Greg Radley, aboard his 250cc Greeves Challenger at East Hanningfield in May 2009. Photo by
Phil Ismay
2009 Greeves Scrambles Championship review
Words by Dave Harper
11 June 2010
The 2009 Greeves Classic Scrambles Championship saw yet another closely fought series, which went all the way down to the wire between Greeves Griffon-mounted Danny Albins and former champion Greg Radley.
Series organisor Dave Harper reviews what ended up being another thrilling season for the Greeves scramblers.
Round 1 Maylandsea, Essex
The season got off to a great start with reigning champion Ian Webster racing to two wins mounted on his new bike for the year, a 380 twin port Griffon, built by rival Greg Radley. The expected challenge from 2007/2008 runner up Danny Albins failed to materialize as he got off to a slow start. At the end of the day Greg led by 1 point from Ian closely followed by Dave Godley with the fast charging quartet of Mark Cooper, Matt Valentine Adrian Dickerson and Ricky Widdowson not far behind.
Round 2 East Hanningfield, Essex
Ian Webster once again led the way in race one, nearing the end of lap 3 Mark Cooper caught Ian and attempted an inside pass, unaware that Mark had raced up the inside, Ian turned, Mark who was committed to the inside was unable to stop, the result, a collision, Ian was thrown high into the air and over the ropes, landing heavily on his shoulder, Mark was trapped underneath his own bike.
Ian's year was over and at the time of writing, December, was still undergoing treatment, Mark did return but was troubled by the injury he sustained and struggled with that and mechanical problems for the rest of the year.
A declared result from race one and a win from race two gave Greg Radley an impressive double, with the emerging Matt Valentine and Ricky Widdowson also piling up the points.
Ian Stonebridge had his first first meeting of the year and came away with a 3rd and 4th. Kiwi father and son Graeme and Gary Smith (250 MX4) made an impression and looked likely to be a threat to the front men, as the year went on.
Adrian Dickerson maintained his good start to the year and looked set to have a good run in the Pre 64 Hawkstone class, while reigning Hawkstone No 1 Chris Huxtable who had switched to the Challenger class had another poor meeting. Greg increased his lead to 26pts over Ricky Widdowson who was 3 up on Adrian Dickerson.
Round 3 Bennetts Hill, nr Reading Berkshire
On the excellent Mortimer Club track Danny Albins finally got his act together with a first race win backed up with 3rd in race 2. Mark Cooper came back very strong with two runner up spots, while series leader Greg Radley also claimed a win and a 3rd.
Jim Allan brother of former Greeves No1 Vic , was on the entry list but failed to make either race as his Hawkstone had failed in the previous day's team event. A first for the series was a Hawkstone fitted with an Ariel Arrow engine, the engine sounded great and finished both race's with owner Chris Brindle onboard. Steve Salmon and Reg Squire made their annual appearance in the series at Bennetts Hill, and Villier's Services front man Steve Gollings made his scramble's debut on a 250 Griffon. Greg increased his lead in the series, and Adrian leap frogged Ricky to move up to second.
Round 4 Lamarsh, Suffolk
A new demanding track saw Danny back to his best with two race victory's , but Greg mounted on the MX5 250 ended the day as top point scorer and extended his lead to 38 points. Adrian had his worse ride of the season, but, with all his rivals taking points off of each other he increased his class lead to 45, Steve Chappell came out on top. Steve had made a good start back in April but failed to gain any points from rounds two and three, the 47 points gained here, could be crucial at the end of the year.
Round 5 Marks Tey
Series leader Greg Radley unselfishly gave up his ride to officiate at this Pre 65 club meeting. A first race win backed up with runner up spot in race two brought a 47 points haul for Danny Albins who took over at the top of the points standings.
Mark Cooper took the win in race 2, and brother Mark had his best results yet, with a 5th and 9th netting him 36 points. Adrian again had a meeting to forget, but no damage was done in his class as once again his nearest rivals failed to take advantage. Dave Godley and Dave George took over at the top of the Challenger class with a six point lead from Greg.
Round 6 Marks Tey
Riding his father's bike after his own failed in practice, Gary Smith won the first race from Danny Albins, Matt Valentine, Mark Cooper and Ricky Widdowson. Race two was a win for Albins from Valentine, Cooper and Widdowson. These two races were the best of the year, the last bend action had to be seen to be believed, with Danny coming through from 4th to claim victory on the line. Missing once again was Greg Radley, who gave up his day's racing to again help run the meeting. This round also saw the return of Brian Parkinson, now mounted on a 250 Griffon after a nine month lay-off through injury and illness.
After 6 rounds
D Albins 260
R Widdowson 234
M Valentine 209
G Radley 204
A Dickerson 200
K Morley 188
With the best eight from nine rounds to count all of the top six with the exception of Greg Radley were likely to drop points at the final count.
Round 7 Marks Tey
Greg Radley took up the challenge to regain the Championship he won in 2002, clawing back seven points from Danny, with a win and a third. The 2009 series was without doubt the toughest yet with eight riders all capable of running at the front, and taking points off of each other, making life difficult for both Danny and Greg. Scott Chappell who was beginning to climb up the leader board crashed in the first race, ending his chances for a top three finish in the Challenger class, meanwhile father Steve who had his own problems earlier in the year again finished top of the Hawkstone's putting pressure on those above him.
Round 8 Maylandsea
Another double victory for Greg, and with Ricky Widdowson and Matt Valentine making life difficult for Danny, the title race was on. In the Hawkstone class Steve Chappell again grabbed the big points, but Adrian Dickerson scored enough to put him out of reach to take the class after trying so hard for the last nine years. The Challenger class looked likely to be regained by Dave Godley, while Danny Albins looked on course for his third Griffon class win on the trot. However the Championship would be decided at the final round in October.
Round 9 Marks Tey October 4th
With each competitor having to drop their worst round the title race was closer than most people thought, going into the final round it looked like this,
Danny Albins 348 less worst round 33 = 315
Greg Radley 311 less worst round 0 = 311
Ricky Widdowson 309 less worst round 37 = 272
Danny mounted on his 380 Griffon needed to win both races, 50 points, Greg on his 250 MX5 with Banana forks would gain an extra 6 points for finishing both races, so two 2nd places would not be enough, something had to give.
After a good first bend Greg was in control, slower starting Danny meanwhile had to fight to have any chance to limit the damage, through to second at the end of the first lap he could not catch the flying Greg. Greg now had his nose in front,
Greg 339
Danny 337
The pressure was now on, after 18 races it was now down to just four laps, Greg could afford to follow Danny home knowing it would be enough to claim the Title, but for Danny the race was out of his hands because even if he won, Greg would have to finish no higher than fourth to give Dan victory by 1 point.
Another good start and Greg was away, only a fall or mechanical problem could stop him, Danny made a good start but the race was over, he could only watch as Greg powered away to his ninth race victory of the year to be crowned the 2009 Greeves Scrables Series Champion.
Greg 367
Danny 359
It would be easy to think that these two had it all their own way, but they had to fight for every point. The toughest series ever also saw Ian Webster, Gary Smith and Mark Cooper claim race wins.