Sagar & Evans top the Elite class at Adstone BSEC

Close and exciting racing at penultimate BSEC event of 2011 ensures the scene is set for a thrilling championship finale

Robert Lynn

Visiting the Enduroland venue of Manor Farm, Adstone, in Northants rounds seven and eight of the ’11 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship saw some of the series closest racing action to date as championship regulars battled with sprint enduro newcomers over two exciting and enjoyable days of competition.

Tom Sagar and Greg Evans made the most of David Knight’s absence from the series by placing themselves at the head of the Elite class. Sagar was the first to strike topping day one but on day two Evans overturned a five-second deficit as he headed into the event’s final special test to claim a one-second winning advantage and secure his first win of the series. Si Wakely was the rider who secured the final podium spot with third on both days while Paul Edmondson and Daryl Bolter rounded out the top five at round seven. Round eight saw Bolter improve one spot into fourth while wild card rider and former British Motocross Champion Carl Nunn placed an impressive fifth.

In the Under 19 class Nathan Watson made an instant and memorable impact on the series by claiming victory at his first time of trying. Ending the day comfortably ahead of Australian Ben Burrell, Steve Holcombe claimed third ahead of Irishman Jordan Scott. Unable to keep his recent run of class wins going numerous crashes saw Jamie McCanney finish in fifth. With Watson not competing at round eight Burrell asserted himself at the head of the class claiming a comfortable winning margin. Jamie McCanney was back on form to finish as runner-up with Steve Holcombe matching his round seven result in third. With Jordan Scott crashing out of the event with an injured ankle fourth went to Jack Rowland with Joe Jones fifth.

Electraction TM's Gordon Clarke

The top of the Under 23 class results was an all Manx affair as Danny McCanney was in a class of his own at round seven but found himself beaten by Alex Rockwell at round eight. Close to one-minute up on his rivals at round seven Danny set some of the day’s fastest test times, winning the four last tests. Just two hundredths of a second separated Rockwell from third placed finisher Jonny Walker, who for much of the day held the runner-up position. Behind Walker Matt Moffat, Lewis Belfield and Ashley Wood rounded out the overall top six.

Round eight saw Rockwell finish four seconds up on Danny McCanney having snatched the win in the closing stages of the day. Matt Moffat improved on his round seven result to place third overall, pushing Jonny Walker into fourth in the process. Ashley wood improved to fifth while Gareth Davies rounded out the overall top six.

Oliver Hart and Wyn Hughes shared top honours in the Expert class with Hart topping the opening day by 19 seconds before Hughes fought back to top round eight by 10 seconds. Rounding out the top five at the end of round seven were Richard Ely, Steve Hunt and Tyson Maytom-Jones. Round eight saw Hart finish as runner-up to Hughes followed by Steve Hunt, Tyson Maytom-Jones and Richard Ely.

In the Clubman class Stephen Grimshaw claimed the win at round seven ahead of Daniel Alldred and Alastair Millar while round eight saw Mark Houson claim the win in front of Alldred and Paul Davies.

The final two rounds of the ’11 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship take place on July 2/3 at Berwyn Leisure Park, Wales.