Record crowd gathers as Northamptonshire’s Wild and Woolly Boxing Day scramble celebrates 90th year
A record crowd braved the mud in Northamptonshire yesterday to watch the legendary Wild and Woolly Boxing Day scramble.
The motorcycle race, in its 90th year, took place in Blisworth once again as racers battled through deep mud and water-filled ditches.
It was won by Northampton man Neville Bradshaw, who claimed first place despite losing his rear brake early on.
The event was hosted by Northampton Motorcyclists’ Club, and chairman Fraser Law described the race as ‘epic’.
He said: “Record crowds watched the event on an unseasonably mild Boxing Day, the only day in the last fortnight on which it didn’t rain.
“The former British Championship winner (Neville) put on a dominant mud-riding display to win the race by more than two laps.
“Neville led the race from the start, and won despite his rear brake falling off on lap two.
“Ady Smith rode superbly to second place, with a performance that could have won him the event in any other year.
“Scott Bates moved up under the radar as the race progressed to a fine third, with former winners Ryan Griffiths and Jack Lee rounding out the top five.”
The top 10 finishers were:
1. Neville Bradshaw, 21 laps
2. Ady Smith, 19 laps
3. Scott Bates, 19 laps
4. Ryan Griffiths, 19 laps
5. Jack Lee, 18 laps
6. Matt Smith, 18 laps
7. Michael McClurg, 18 laps
8. James Plant, 18 laps
9. Ashley Rilings, 17 laps
10. James Barnwell, 17 laps