More thrilling enduro sprint racing on its way as series reaches mid-way point…
The 2011 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship moves to its most southerly point this weekend as rounds five and six see the series arrive at the exciting Rogers Hill Raceway, Nr Bere Regis, Dorset. Marking the halfway point of the championship that to date has seen thrilling racing in all classes, the event also marks the end of the season for the series’ fastest rider – David Knight. Due to undergo hip surgery shortly after the event, the two-day competition will mark the super fast Manxman’s last competitive outing for several months. Determined to show his Elite class rivals the kind of form that saw him win the Enduro 3 class at the recent Enduro World Championship GP of Portugal, the event gives spectators one last chance to see the always-spectacular reigning world champion in action before his enforced lay-off.
To date the ’11 BSEC championship has thrown up surprise winners, tight racing and the emergence of fresh talent. And with the Rogers Hill Raceway facility a much looked forward to venue for many of the series’ competitors, having proved hugely popular with racers and spectators alike when the BSEC series visited last year, this weekend’s event certainly won’t be lacking in excitement. Mixing two electrifying motocross tracks with technical ‘extreme’ sections the facility has all the ingredients necessary to serve up yet more close racing.
Once again starting as the rider to beat in the Elite class David Knight will be looking for a repeat of the dominant double class win he claimed at rounds three and four, ensuring he leaves the series on top form and with two further victories to his credit. Last time out it was Greg Evans who finished next best to Knight, finding the pace that had eluded him at the opening rounds. Will this weekend finally be Evans’ opportunity to taste the spoils of victory? Homeboy Si Wakely knows this venue better than most, as it’s his local stomping ground. Using local knowledge and support to his full advantage he’ll be hoping for another top three performance, but it won’t come easy with Tom Sagar, Paul Edmondson, Darryl Bolter, Ollie Moyce, Mark Roberts and Matt Ridgeway all eager for their share of the lime light. With motocross racers Jamie Lewis, who delivered some impressive results at the opening rounds of the series, and Jordan Rose both in the mix competition is unquestionably going to be close all weekend long.
One of the most notable outcomes of the season so far has been the performances of the ‘next generation’ riders – the Under 19 and Under 23 competitors. Riders in both the U19 and U23 classes have displayed speed that’s far outweighs their experience and of the top ten overall finishers at round three in Monmouth, four of them were out of these ‘junior’ categories, with the most impressive result of all coming from Under 23 class leader Danny McCanney. With Danny set to continue his impressive performances he’ll once again have to fend off the likes of Alex Rockwell, Johnny Walker, Ashley Wood, Matt Moffat and Lewis Belfield. Rounds three and four might have marked Walker’s first showing in the series but he wasted no time making his presence felt with third and fourth place results. On a course that should ideally suit the former trials rider and talented motocrosser will he have what it takes to claim victory this time around?
The battle of the young guns in the Under 19 class continues to rage on. To date it’s the Australian import of Ben Burrell that heads the field, setting times up there with the Elite boys. By dominating the opening two rounds he appeared to have caught his rivals napping, but nothing is certain in the BSEC series and by rounds three and four Burrell’s pace was matched, beaten by Jamie McCanney at round four. With Burrell and McCanney looking for more success, Steve Holcombe, Joe Jones, Joe Deakin, Jack Rowland and Jordan Scott are among those all keen to get their first taste of victory this weekend.
Jonty Edmunds – BSEC Events Director: ‘Rogers Hill Raceway delivered some fantastic racing action last year, and is certain to do the same again this time around. It’s without doubt an exciting, enjoyable and challenging course for the riders, but also fantastic for spectators with 70 per cent of the track viewable from one place. With the event the last BSEC competition David Knight will compete in this year it’ll certainly be an exciting one. David will want to go out on top and on current form is going to be a hard man to beat. David’s been a fantastic supporter of the BSEC series so all involved wish him well for his operations and rehabilitation. We now know that a new Elite class champion will be crowned at the end of the championship so a number of riders will be upping their game in Dorset, making for guaranteed top-notch racing.’
Directions: Rounds 5&6 of the Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship will be signed from the A35, west of Bere Regis. Postcode: DT2 7HJ. More detailed directions can be found at www.enduro-sprint.com.
Entry Fee: Adults £7.50, includes complimentary event programme. Under 14-year-olds free.
General Info: Racing will start at 9.00am both days. Catering and toilet facilities will be available on site.
About the BSEC The Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship is the UK’s newest off-road motorcycle race series, promoted and organised exclusively by GMC Events Ltd. Enduro is one of the world’s longest standing off-road motorcycle disciplines, the motorcycle equivalent of car rallying. Sprint enduro is an exciting new rider, spectator, and media friendly discipline that delivers simple to understand, day-long, enduro racing action. The series caters for the best enduro talent in the UK. The BSEC is governed by the ACU – the internationally recognized National Governing Body for motorcycle sport in the British Isles (less Northern Ireland). About Husqvarna Husqvarna is an iconic off-road motorcycle brand. In ’07 Husqvarna became a part of the BMW Group with the German company completely revitalising the Husqvarna brand, which is now the off-road competition arm of BMW Motorrad. A new factory that houses production, design, administration and R&D has since been built in Varese, Northern Italy. Enjoying competitive success at the highest level, in 2010 Husqvarna clinched the Enduro 1 World Championship title with its TE250 ridden by Frenchman Antoine Meo. Building its first motorcycle in 1903 Husqvarna motorcycles were produced in Sweden until ’86 when the company was sold to the Cagiva Group, which later became MV Agusta S.p.A. Enduro greats such as Anders Eriksson, Paul Edmondson, Samuli Aro, Stefan Merriman, Petri Silvan and Antoine Meo have all enjoyed world championship winning success with Husqvarna. http://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.co.uk