SW Challenge Championships 2008
Tiverton BMX Club Win the South West Championships
Tiverton BMX Club end 2008 racing calendar on a high by beating 11 other clubs to win the South West Championships, racking up an incredible six 1st place results, four 2nd place spots and two 3rd's.
Its all about getting the SW1 plate in this race at Cheddar, where an amazing 245 entrants took part. Ryan O'Loughlin kicked off the day with the first SW1 plate in the 6 and under class. Josh Coppin followed taking the 1 spot for the second year in a row, along with TJ Baldwin who finished 3rd in the male age 7 group. Eddie Moore finished with yet another 1st place for Tiverton, with Elliot Norrish proudly taking 1st in the 'B' Final in the male 10yr group.
Todd Rattue had a fantastic day's racing, winning by a six bike lead in the final to take the SW1 plate in his first years racing, in the male 11 group. Josh Moore rode hard all day, just being beaten on the line to finish with a well earned 2nd place in the male 12's. Bethan Hallett raced the boys in the 13 class to take a superb 3rd place.
Sam Hann took 2nd place, in the fast male 15 age group, followed by Ben Blake with another 2nd place for Tiverton BMX Club, in the male 16's. The Male 25+ round saw two Tiverton riders race to take a 'B' final 1st and 7th for Darren Flint and Ian Wheeler respectively. Ian Wheeler went on to take 1st in the cruiser 25-29 yr group. TJ Baldwin took 2nd in the 30-39 cruiser class.
Shannon Blake finished the day with one of her best performances of the year, taking 4th in the female 10-12 yr group. Paula Hallett completed the days racing with 5th place, in the ladies 25 and over category. Meanwhile Elly Skinner topped the first place results with Tiverton BMX Club's final 1st place in the female 16 and over, ending the best days racing in the South West of 2008.
Round 11
Tiverton BMX Club Race Series Finale
Tiverton BMX Club end the Regional racing series, racking up an incredible six 1st place end of season ranking results, three 2nd place spots and one 3rd. 28 Tiverton club members took part during 2008, and with news that a brand new track is due to be built in 2009, these numbers are expected to grow even further.
The racing season ended at Bath, where an amazing 192 riders from the South West took part. Ryan O’Loughlin, took 1st in the 6 and under class, followed by Josh Coppin in the male age 7 group. Eddie Moore finished with a 2 spot in 10 year old age group, with all three of these boys securing a 2008 ranking as South West No. 1’s in there related age groups.
Todd Rattue had a great day’s racing, taking 3rd place and ending his first seasons racing with a 2nd place ranking in the male 11 group. Josh Moore rode hard all day to finish with a well earned 1st place, also earning a 3rd place regional ranking in the Male 12yr age group. Sam Hann took 3rd place, in this very competitive male age 15 group, ending the racing series with a 2nd place ranking. Ben Blake rode hard and held on to a superb 1st place, and took 2nd place regional ranking, in the male age 16’s.
The Male 25+ round saw two Tiverton riders race to take 1st and 12th for Pete Moore and Ian Wheeler respectively. Ian Wheeler went on to take 1st in the cruiser 25-29 yr group. Pete Moore also took 1st place ranking over the South West racing series, with a 1st place overall ranking for Ian Wheeler in the cruiser class.
Shannon Blake finished the day with a 4th place and a regional ranking of 5th, in the female 10-12 yr group. Bethan Hallett followed with a 6th and a 4th place series ranking, racing in with the boys in the male 13 group, Paula Hallett ended both the days racing and the year with 5th place ranking, in the ladies 25 and over category. Elly Skinner topped the first place results with Tiverton BMX club’s final 1st place ranking, marking the end to a fantastic season’s racing where the Club as a whole finished 2nd in the South West against 11 other clubs.
Round 10
Tiverton BMX Take on Duchy Pirates
Tiverton BMX club travelled to Cornwall, to race at the third newly opened track in round 10 of the South West regional’s summer series. Despite the torrent of rain the day before, the new track held up well for a blustery days racing.
Ryan O’Loughlin, took 1st in the 6 and under class, followed Eddie Moore who has been riding up in the 10 year old age group, taking another 1st and securing his place as the South West No. 1. Todd Rattue battled his way to the finish line to be beaten by a whisker into 4th place in the male 11 group. Josh Moore rode hard all day to finish with a well earned 3rd place in the Male 12yr age group.
Robbi Knapton had his best days racing this season, with a gripping final which saw him take 4th. Sam Hann took 3rd place, in this very fast male age 15 group. Ben Blake battled hard and held on to a superb 2nd place, in the male age 16 group. The Male 25+ round saw two Tiverton riders race to take 1st and 4th for Pete Moore and Ian Wheeler respectively. Ian Wheeler went on to take 1st in the cruiser 25-29 yr group. Christ Hibbert raced well against this fast group in the Cruiser 40+ group to take 8th overall.
It was a round of 5th places for all the female riders this time out, starting with Shannon Blake in the female 10-12 yr group. Bethan Hallett followed, racing up an age group against the boys in the male 13 group, with mum Paula Hallett ending the day in the ladies 25 and over category.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 9
Coppin Takes the One Spot for Tivvy BMX
With two rounds still to race, nobody can catch young Joshua Coppin who has a clear lead to take first place ranking for the male 7 year age group. Coppin sealed the day at Decoy BMX club, with an uncatchable days racing, ensuring that South West No.1 remains on his number plate for the second year running.
Another clear winner this round was Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class, who started the day off with a 1st for Tiverton BMX Club. Two Tiverton riders in the 10 year old age group, Eddie Moore and Elliot Norrish, both took 1st in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ finals respectively. Todd Rattue raced a superb round, despite being out of action for weeks previously with a broken metatarsal, he held onto 2nd place. Josh Moore followed in great form in the 12 yr group with another 2nd, against 11 riders, 9 of whom were racing on their home track in Newton Abbott.
An excellent days racing from Bethan Hallett saw her take the 3 spot, in the male 13 group. Robbi Knapton followed, upping his game this round to take 5th in the male age 14 race. Sam Hann fought hard all day to take 3rd position in the male 15 group. Ben Blake took 2nd place for Tiverton, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls finished 4th overall. Harry Hurley took 2nd place, in the pocket rocket 6 and under novice race.
Yet another clear winner this season Pete Moore, took the 1 spot in the male 25+ round, followed by 4th place for Ian Wheeler. These two riders went head to head again in the cruiser 25 – 29 yr and finished another 1st for Moore and a 2nd for Wheeler. Elly Skinner took 1st in the female 16+ round and Paula Hallett finished 5th overall in the ladies 25 and over. Chris Hibbert took 6th in the cruiser 40+ race ending a fast days racing for Tiverton BMX Club, despite the rain.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 8
The Pace Heats Up on the New Exeter Track
A hot day at the all new and challenging Exeter track tested the ability of the Tiverton BMX Club, with the track opening just days before the race, no club had the advantage, yet we still had some great results in round 8 of the summer regional series.
Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class started the day off with a 1st, followed by Josh Coppin in the 7yr age group, who despite slipping his pedals twice in the final, still held onto his first place points. Three Tiverton riders in the 10 year old age group, Eddie Moore, Connor Cutler and Elliot Norrish, rode a great race with Eddie who took 1st throughout, followed by a superb chase from Connor in 4th, and Elliot who took 2nd in the ‘B’ final.
Josh Moore followed his brothers great form in the 12 yr group with a 3rd and Bethan Hallett raced the male 13 group, earning a very respectable 4th. Robbi Knapton followed in 8th in the male age 14 race, and Sam Hann put in a great days racing to end the day in 4th position in the male 15 group. Ben Blake took 3rd place for Tiverton against this very fast age 16 group, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls finished 6th overall. Harry Hurley took 6th place in this up and coming 6 and under novice race, which seem to get faster every regional event, rounding the day off nicely for the junior team.
The male 25+ round saw Tiverton take a 1st and 4th place for Pete Moore and Ian Wheeler respectively, topped off by a 1st for Ian Wheeler in the cruiser 25 – 29 yr with 2 riders taking part. Elly Skinner took 1st in the female 16+ round and Paula Hallett finished 5th overall in the ladies 25 and over. Chris Hibbert had to settle for 6th in the cruiser 40+ race after a fall in the final, but he still managed to finish the race, ending a fantastic days racing for Tiverton BMX Club.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 7
Tyre blow out still see’s Coppin take First Place
Tiverton BMX club travelled to sunny Cornwall, to race at the newly opened track in round 7 of the South West regional’s summer series.
Ryan O’Loughlin kicked the day off with our first win, in the 6 and under class, followed by team member Josh Coppin in the 7yr age group, who despite blowing a tyre at the end of the start hill, still finished the final with another 1st. Eddie Moore followed in the 10 year old age group, racking up another 1 spot for Tiverton, along with a well deserved 8th place for Elliott Norrish in the same ‘A’ final race. Todd Rattue battled the day out, to take second place in the male 11 group. Despite a fall in his moto’s Josh Moore fought back to finish with a well earned 3rd place in the Male 12yr age group.
Robbi Knapton gave it his best shot against this fast group, but had to settle for 8th place in the male 14 group, followed by Sam Hann in 5th place in male age 15 round. Ben Blake battled for 3rd place, despite an arm injury in male age 16 group. The Male 25+ round saw Ian Wheeler take 2nd place followed by a 1st in the cruiser 25-29 yr group, rounding the day off nicely for the birthday boy. Chris Hibbert had to settle for 7th in the Cruiser 40+ group.
Shannon Blake took 5th place in the female 10-12 yr group. Followed by a 5th for Bethan Hallett, racing the boys in the male 13 group. Mum, Paula Hallett also finished with a 5th in the ladies 25 and over category. Meanwhile, Elly Skinner bucked the trend for the ladies, with a 1st in the female 16 and over group. Ending the day nicely for the Tiverton team in Cornwall.
Report Lesley Rattue
Round 6
Eight First Place Wins on Tiverton’s Home Track
Tiverton BMX club took the day by storm, gaining eight first place ‘A’ final results on their home track in round 6 of the South West regional’s summer series.
Yet another 1 slot for Ryan O’Loughlin, saw this feisty little rider jump the double and lead the way from start to finish in the 6 and under class, followed by team member Reece Cutler in 3rd place. Josh Coppin ended with another 1st in the 7yr age group, followed by Eddie Moore in the 10 year old age group, continuing the string of first place ‘A’ final results for Tiverton, along with a well deserved 5th place for Connor Cutler in the same race. Elliott Norrish, took 1st in the 10 year old ‘B’ final, followed by another 1 spot for Todd Rattue in the male 11 group, who had his best ever racing day this season on his home track.
Josh Moore took a fall in his moto’s, but still managed 5th place against this tight little group of twelve riders in the Male 12yr age group. Great racing from Bethan Hallett saw her take 2nd place in the male 13 group. Robbi Knapton had to settle for 8th place in the male 14 group, followed by Sam Hann battling the day out to take the 2 spot, with this intense band of male age 15 riders. Ben Blake managed 3rd place, despite a heavy fall in the male age 16 group, followed by a 7th place for his sister Shannon in the female 10-12 yr group. Elly Skinner ended the day with a 1st in the female 16 and over group, racking up a great set of results for this dominant junior team.
The Male 25+ round saw three Tiverton riders battle it out with Pete Moore taking 1st, followed by Darren Flint in the 2 spot, ending with Ian Wheeler in 7th overall. Ian Wheeler then went on to take 1st in the cruiser 25-29 yr group. Chris Hibbert took 7th in the Cruiser 40+ group and Paula Hallett had to settle for 5th in the ladies 25 and over category.
A surge of novice riders descended on the Tiverton track, with Harry Hurley earning a well deserved 3rd place in the 6 and under group. Followed by Jamie Phillips-Charles, who took 7th place in the 7-9 year novice race. Scott Jenkins led the way from the start to take the 1 spot, with Conor Dedames in close persuit earning a well fought 3rd place, in this group of 10-12 year olds. The 13-15 year old group saw Tom Hallett having to settle for 9th, against these very fast novices, with Amy Hallett taking the 2 spot in the 16+ race. Some great riding from the novices, many of whom were racing for the first, but hopefully not the last time.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 5
 Tiverton BMX Club Take on Tredegar
Tiverton BMX club ventured to Tredegar in Wales, to a track new to the South West regional’s, for round 5 of the summer series.
The day started with the 6 and under class, where Ryan O’Loughlin took yet another 1st place. Josh Coppin followed again, again and again in 1st in the 7yr age group. The Gunslinger Rockstar sponsored rider, Eddie Moore continued the first place results for Tiverton in the 10 year old age group, and ended the day with yet another 1st place in the Golden Helmet race, while Elliott Norrish also made the A final results tables with a well deserved 5th place.
This fast track took some casualties, with Todd Rattue being taken out in his first moto, but managing the fight his way back to end the day with a well deserved 2nd. Great racing from this intense little group saw Josh Moore take 2nd place in the Male 12yr age group. It showed that Bethan Hallett loved this track, taking the 2 spot in the male 13 group. Robbi Knapton earned himself a very respectable 4th place in the male 14 group, with Sam Hann also taking the 4 spot in the male age 15 riders, ending the day with some fantastic results for the junior team.
Three Tiverton riders battled for a place in the Male 25+ round, where Peter Moore held onto 2nd, followed by a much improved result from Darren Flint in the 3 spot, ending with Ian Wheeler who had to settle for 8th overall. Ian Wheeler had a better result in the cruiser 25-29 yr group, with a 1st place. Chris Hibbert took 5th in the Cruiser 40+ group and ‘like mother like daughter’ Paula Hallett ended the day with a 2nd in the ladies 25 and over category.
Report by Lesley Rattue.
Round 4
 Tiverton BMX Club plough through the mud at Bristol
After days of rain the going was tough in round 4 of the summer regional series in Bristol, where the Tiverton riders performed amazingly despite the treacherous slippery conditions.
Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class continued his excellent racing season and took yet another 1st place. Josh Coppin then followed in the 7yr age group, with three great 1st place Moto’s, topped off by another 1st in the final. Eddie Moore had three great Moto’s only to be knocked off in a bundle on the mud slide of a burm, undeterred he got back on and made up an few places resulting in a 5th place in the 10 year old age group.
Todd Rattue battled his way through the heavy track conditions, neck and neck all day with another rider from Cornwall to end the day on a high taking 1st place overall in the 11yr group. Josh Moore had to settle for 7th place in the Male 12yr age group after getting caught up in yet another pile up. Bethan Hallett raced in the male 13 group, ending the day in 6th place. Sam Hann struggled on despite his rib injury, earning himself a very respectable 3rd place in the male age 15 riders. Ben Blake continued his excellent racing season with yet another 2nd in the male age 16 group, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls shot out of the start gate in first place in the B final, where she held her place all the way round.
In the Male 25+, Peter Moore held his nerve in this very tight race to take 2nd, followed by Ian Wheeler in 5th and Darren Flint who took 2nd in the B final. Ian Wheeler had a much better result in the cruiser 25-29 yr group, with a 1st place. Paula Hallett ended a very thrilling wet and soggy day with a 3rd place in the ladies 25 and over category
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 3
A Day of Thrills and Spills for Tiverton BMX Club
The Tiverton BMX Club managed to hold on to 2nd place in round 3 of the summer regional series in Bideford, despite a day of thrills and spills.
Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class has been consistent in every round and took yet another 1st place, putting him way out in front of the competition. Josh Coppin then followed in the 7yr age group, with three great 1st place moto’s, only to get caught in bundle on the first burm, resulting in a 5th place final. In the 10 year old age group, another crash saw Elliot Norrish pushed down the in 7th overall, but bravely got back on and continued the race.
Yet another spill in the 11yr group saw Todd Rattue fighting his way back up the points table, ending the day on a high with a 2nd in his final round. Bethan Hallett continued to race-up her game against the male 13 group, earning a great 4th place. Robbi Knapton followed with a 5th in the age 14 race, and Sam Hann sustained his excellent race season with a 2nd in the male age 15 riders. This round also saw the return of Connor Hallett, who took the day by storm only to crack his front forks, leaving him unable to continue. Ben Blake stepped up his game again and returned a better set of results every race, moving up to 2nd in the age 16 group, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls finished 7th overall.
Elly Skinner started as she meant to go on, out in front where she stayed all day, taking 1st in the female 16+. The MTB seniors were missing Dereck Cutler, who had a bad fall during the open practice. In the Male 25+, Peter Moore leapt up the results tables to take 1st, closely followed by Darren Flint in 3rd and Ian Wheeler in 5th. In the cruiser 25 – 29 riders Ian Wheeler took 1st, but Chris Hibbert had to settle for 6th place in the cruiser 40+ race. Paula Hallett rounded the day off nicely and finished a respectable 3rd overall in the ladies 25 and over category. Josh and Eddie Moore were missed by the Tiverton Club in this round as they were racing in the Europeans in Germany, where they both made it through to the quarter finals, very well done boys.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 2
Tiverton BMX achieve another rip-roaring set of results
The Tiverton BMX Club pulled out all the stops and gained Eight first place results in round 2 of the summer regional series in Cheddar.
Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class continued his excellent form and took another 1st place. Josh Coppin then followed in the 7yr age group, leading the way from start to finish with a clear run taking another 1st place for the club. Two Tiverton riders in the 10 year old age group, Eddie Moore and Elliot Norrish, took on some stiff competition with Eddie who took a well deserved 1st throughout, followed by Elliot in 9th overall, but still achieving a ‘B’ Class final 1st place.
Todd Rattue started the day on great form taking a 1st in the first Moto, only to be knocked off and unable to continue due to injury to the final round in the 11yr group. Josh Moore followed with an exceptional 3rd against the very tough competition in the 12 yr group, and Bethan Hallett raced the male 13 group to up her game in preparation for the Nationals, earning a tough 6th place. Robbi Knapton followed with a 6th in the age 14 race, and Sam Hann gave us all good reason to cheer with a gripping round of races taking a very well deserved 1st in the male age 15 riders. Ben Blake improved on his last set of results earning himself a 3rd place for Tiverton in the age 16 group, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls finished 6th overall against a very tough field.
Elly Skinner made a great comeback with her first race of the season taking her 1st place with ease in the female 16+. The MTB seniors Gave Dereck Cutler a 1st place followed by the male 25+ round which saw Dereck gain yet another 1st place for Tiverton and 3rd for Darren Flint respectively. Ian Wheeler achieved 3rd in the cruiser 25 – 29 riders. Paula Hallett finished a respectable 2nd overall in the ladies 25 and over category, while Chris Hibbert had to settle for 6th in the cruiser 40+ race. The finale to the day came from little Harry Hurley who raced his first novice race in the age 6 and under and earned himself a 1st place cup, making the Tiverton team very proud.
Report by Lesley Rattue
Round 1
Tiverton BMX pedal power puts club out in front with five 1st places in the opening round of the South West Regional Series
The Tiverton BMX Club stormed off to a flying start at the 1st round of the summer regional series in Burnham. Despite the bad weather, sprits were high and the winter training proved its worth with a fantastic set of results.
Ryan O’Loughlin in the 6 and under class started the day off with a 1st, followed by Reece Cutler taking 4th. Josh Coppin then followed in the 7yr age group and made it look easy all day, riding out on his South West 1 plate, winning by an easy 10 bike lead. Three Tiverton riders in the 10 year old age group, Eddie Moore, Connor Cutler and Elliot Norrish, rode a great race with Eddie who took 1st throughout, followed by Connor in 6th and Elliot 9th.
Todd Rattue entered the racing scene for the very first time in the 11yr group, jumping straight in as an expert taking three 2nd places in the moto’s, rounding his day off with a 1st in the finals. Josh Moore followed in great form in the 12 yr group with a 3rd and Bethan Hallett raced the boys in the male 13 group, earning a very respectable 4th despite being unwell. Robbi Knapton followed with a 7th in the age 14 race and Sam Hann carried on his form from last season gaining three 1st moto rankings, topped off with a 3rd in the final along, with Liam Webber in 9th place in the male age 15 riders. Ben Blake took a 4th place for Tiverton in the age 16 group, while his sister Shannon, riding in 10 - 12 girls finished 8th overall, rounding the day off nicely for the junior team.
The male 25+ round saw Tiverton take a 6th and 7th place for Darren Flint and Pete Moore respectively, topped off by a 1st for Ian Wheeler in the cruiser 25 – 29 yr 2 riders. Dereck Cutler the team coach racing MTB senior showed what he was made of, taking a 1st in the mountain bike category saying “there’s no point having a bark without a bite”, with the Cutler family ending the day with an impressive set of results when his wife Mandy took 2nd in the ladies 25 and over. Paula Hallett finished 5th overall in the same category, while Chris Hibbert had to settle for 5th in the cruiser 40+ race.

Report by Lesley Rattue