Killavullen 2010
The 3rd round of the Irish Enduro Championship visited Killavullen in County Cork on the 4th and 5th of September.
Killavullen is always one of the highlights of the year and this year was no exception as the weather was sunny and warm and the going dry and dusty in places, complete contrast to the previous year which saw the entire entry soaked to the bone after 2 days of solid rain.
Day 1 set off into the usual forest area after a short run down the road and within the first half a kilometre of off road going there was a very long, steep climb in the check, which certainly woke you up.
The long and challenging lap was like an Enduro rider’s dream, with rocky single tracks, open moorland, new fire-breaks and some 6th gear fire roads all in glorious sunshine.
The test was in a previously unused area of forest and while it was fast, it also had to be ridden with an element of caution as it was littered with twists and turns towards the end that could easily put you off line. There were a good few tree stumps aswell and it was one of these that very nearly caused an upset as eventual Expert class winner, Gordon Clarke hit one at the end of the 2nd lap and face planted into another one cutting his nose and breaking the chin guard of his helmet in the process. Clarke arrived at the next check looking decidedly worse for wear, but soldiered on to take the win from Andrew Reeves in 2nd and and John O’Neil in 3rd.
The Senior class was a three way battle for the top spot between Jamie Popham, local boy Paul McCarthy and Stewy Dicker. After 2 tests McCarthy looked to have it in the bag (or purse in his case) after times that would put some of the Experts to shame, but he lost it on the 3rd lap and Popham took the win with Stewy in 3rd.
Richie Leonard beat Mark Bannon to the day 1 Clubman class win by 6 seconds with test times that indicate it will be their last year in the Clubman class. Young Jason Jackson was 3rd and is improving every race. Watch out for these 3 riders in years to come as their names will be at the very top of the results sheets.
In the Sportman class Richard Murphy won from Joe Rice, who beat Seamus O’Sullivan by the smallest of margins as a half a second separated them.
After a long day in the saddle the riders returned to Parc Ferme for the allocated 15 minutes work time, filters were changed, chains lubed, fuel tanks filled and bikes were parked and locked up for the night. As it was still a brilliant sunny evening, Barbeques were lit and the odd can or two was cracked open as groups gathered to tell the story of their day. Like moths to the light a good few made it the 30 metres to the local pub for the craic were the Air guitar competition was won by a former club secretary…
Day 2 started bright an early and in the Expert class Paul McLaughlin was flying as he set unbelievably quick test times, beating the previous days winner Gordon Clarke after he went straight on at one corner at the end of the test – possibly caused by the bang on the head the day before! Seamus Muldoon was gifted 3rd spot after Andrew Reeves bike lost it’s front sprocket 2km from the end of the 3rd lap.
Paul McCarthy kept Cork pride intact with a day 2 Senior class win. The local man from just down the road in Ballyhooly was on it in the tests and saw off challenges from Jamie Popham and Stewart Dicker, even allowing himself time for an spectacular crash were the bike landed on top of him!
Sunday’s test was incredible, as it set off on tight single track with a surprise corner and then opened up into one of the best flowing and most exciting tests on the Irish championship so far. As it descended to the final check of the lap through muddy fire breaks, drop offs and fast downhill chicanes it just rode perfectly and was as challenging and demanding for all classes as the riders sped along the final river bank.
The Clubman class was again contested by Mark Bannon and Richie Leonard, with Bannon getting the upper hand this time after pipping Richie to the post (and drinking a lot of water in the pub) Jason Jackson was again a strong 3rd place which will have pleased his folks as they were running the last time check.
The well supported Sportsman class was won by Richard Murphy, who, on the strength of this will be moving up a class very soon. Declan Thornhill was 2nd and demoted Joe Rice to 3rd and Seamus O’Sullivan to 4th.
It is a well known fact that the weather can make or break an Enduro (so can Guinness) and thankfully the only rain came as the riders were packing up and heading off on Sunday night. Thanks to all at TORC for running an amazing Killavullen 2010.