Ames Parker celebrated a memorable double after round two of a new North Yorkshire mountain bike race series.

The SIMBA 2001 race series, organised by pedal pushers Steve Imeson and Sue Burton, is believed to be the only one of its kind in the county.

Staged at Adderstone in the heart of Dalby Forest, near Pickering, the series involves six race days over six months.

The first race was held in May and was deemed a major success by the organiser with almost 130 riders from as far afield as Keswick taking part.

The second race, held earlier this month attracted even more riders.

Team Marie Curie rider Parker, who won the Masters (30-39years) category by five minutes in the first race of the series, maintained his form in the second ride-out.

However, his margin of victory was reduced to four minutes as second-placed Richard Atkinson pushed him hard.

York's Jorvik Mountain Bike Club chairman Steve Shepherd finished sixth while Greg Morgan, riding for Fulford Cycles, finished 14th.

In the Vets Plus (50 years and over) category, Ilkley's Reg Haigh, like his Team Marie Curie team-mate Parker, also maintained his 100 per cent record in the competition while Paul Marr also finished second for the second time.

Likewise, in the Junior (16-18 years) section, Gary Beckwith, from Ripon and riding for Boneshakers, maintained his winning start to the competition by again taking first place from runner-up for a second-place Tom Defty.

Lancashire's Kate Whittaker failed to finish in the first race of Ladies Open category in May.

However, this time around she blazed through the field to win by almost three minutes. Second place went to York's Keeley Sharp.

In the Vets (40-49 years) category Scarborough's John Galway, third in the first race, claimed first place this time around while victor last time out, Steve Grimshaw, from Lancashire, had to settle for second.

Similarly, in the Senior Open (19-29 years) Johnny Ratcliffe, another Marie Curie Team rider, improved in his third place finish in the first race by crossing the line first this time around.

York rider James Sharp finished just over a minute behind while Ripon's Jody Hamilton, riding for Boneshakers, was third.

York rider Adrian Carter, riding for Pace Cycles, came tenth.

In the Fun category, Thirsk rider Mark Wilson coasted home more than three minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Rob Powell of Scarborough.

Stephen Reid, from York University, finished a promising ninth with his team-mate Thomas Potter coming in three minutes behind in 14th.

In the Youths' Under-16 section, 12-year-old Sophie Carter, of Pace Cycles Ltd, York, saw off the challenge of the boys to roar to victory.

In the Under-12 category, Marie Stuart went one better than her second place in the first ride to claim the top prize this time out

The venue is the same on every race day with categories catering for the serious mountain biker and the first time rider.

The first ten finishers in each category receive points with prizes, including free entry into next year's competition for the overall series winner, up for grabs.

The third race in the series takes place on Sunday, July 1. For further details and entry forms, contact Imeson or Burton on 07718 108460/313346.

Updated: 12:44 Thursday, June 21, 2001