Joy for McLaughlin, disappointment for McConnell at BEC Rnd 3
At the end of what was one of the toughest British Enduro Championship events for several seasons the Electraction TM UK team headed home from the WTRA organised Crychan Enduro, round three of the ’08 Metzeler British Enduro Championship, having enjoyed success but also having endured disappointment. With Irishman Philip McLaughlin battling through the atrocious conditions to claim a fantastic double Expert class win aboard his 250cc two-stroke TM, Championship class rider Euan McConnell disappointingly failed to finish day two due to a derailed chain. On day one McConnell placed a creditable fourth overall in the Championship class.
With horrendous weather and a challenging course resulting in over half the event’s entry failing to finish the opening day Championship class rider Euan McConnell recorded some of the day’s fastest times around the enduro special test and claimed the runner-up spot in the Enduro 3 class and placed fourth overall. With all riders collecting time penalties as a result of a tight time schedule and the bad weather, Euan dropped four minutes but finished the eight-hour day just shy of the overall third place spot.
On day two having come close to recording the fastest time on the opening special test Euan was forced out of the event when his chain derailed mid-way through the second test. With the final round of the ’08 BEC series for Championship class riders – the two-day Knighton Enduro, taking place in mid September, Euan currently sits just six points behind Enduro 3 class leader Ed Jones when both riders two worst scores are removed.
Despite the tough conditions enduro newcomer Philip McLaughlin produced his best ever result in a British championship event topping the Expert class on both days. One of just two riders to lose only two minutes on day one Philip topped the class by close to 50 seconds. On day two things were much tighter at the top of the Expert class results as McLaughlin finished just five seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
Although currently third in the ’08 BEC Expert class overall standings with the two worst day scores removed Philip currently leads the Expert class. Two rounds of the ’08 BEC remain for Expert class competitors.
Euan McConnell: “After coming through the first day without too many problems it’s really disappointing not to have finished day two, especially due to something as simple as a derailed chain. But the really annoying thing is that I felt really good on day two and was second fastest along with Paul Edmondson on the first test, and just three seconds behind Tom Sagar. I was about half way through the final test on day two, I had the bike cranked over in a rut, and the chain came off and wrapped itself around the gearbox sprocket. There was nothing I could do.
“The first day was really tough, but I was happy enough with fourth overall. It’s never easy riding a big four-stroke in really muddy conditions, but my bike ran well all day. I had a really good first test and an ok second test but the day was tough. I was enjoying the second day before my chain came off, it’s a disappointing way to end the weekend.”
Results – Crychan Enduro day 1
Championship class (overall)
1. Tom Sagar (KTM) 2180.19; 2. Edward Jones (KTM) 2448.19; 3. Robert Jones (Yamaha) 2464.48; 4. Euan McConnell (Electraction TM UK) 2486.03; 5. Dylan Jones (Yamaha) 2525.42; 6. Chris Hockey (Honda) 2550.5; 7. Ashley Wood (Gas Gas) 2646.55; 8. Richard Hay (KTM) 2660.94; 9. Si Wakely (Husqvarna) 2678.63; 10. Andrews Edwards (KTM) 2708.06
Expert class (overall)
1. Philip McLaughlin (Electraction TM UK) 1842.31; 2. Tudur Davies (KTM) 1891.97; 3. David Myers (KTM) 1969.24; 4. David Brick (Kawasaki) 2003.35; 5. D Wood (Yamaha) 2050.55; 6. Carwyn John (KTM) 2099.3; 7. Derek Little (KTM) 2127.89; 8. Bradley King (Gas Gas) 2291.46; 9. Gareth Hopkins (KTM) 2384.46; 10. Stan Watt (KTM) 2638.33
Results – Crychan Enduro day 2
Expert class (overall)
1. Philip McLaughlin (Electraction TM UK) 897.75; 2. Rheinallt Davies (Husqvarna) 902.1; 3. Bradley King (Gas Gas) 907.76; 4. Gareth Hopkins (KTM) 915.87; 5. David Brick (Kawasaki) 924.79; 6. Tudur Davies (KTM) 933.53; 7. Keith Horsnell (KTM) 944.7; 8. Derry Milling (KTM) 948.39; 9. Derek Little (KTM) 953.12; 10. David Myers (KTM) 953.52