The basics of time card enduro. Getting started and what to expect.
What is a Time Card Enduro?
A time card enduro is an off road race consisting of a number of check/stages and a special test per lap. You have a certain amount of time to get to the end of each stage, if you pass the check point too early or late you get penalties. The winner is the fastest over the special test and with the least penalties.
What is Hare and Hound?
In a Hare and Hound you do as many laps of a circuit in a given time, often 3 hours.
What is a Sprint Enduro?
It’s like an Enduro but without the time checks. Just keep riding the test, often there is a break after each lap.
Size Matters: Gets yourself some fresh rubber before you start, you'll be needing grip
What bike do I need for Enduro?
Bike must have working front and rear lights, FIM approved Enduro tires and some form of a registration plate (a bit more official than duck tape and a black marker). It’s the competitors responsibility to ensure their motorcycle is adequately prepared for the public road sections of the course they may/may not face during the event.
What Gear does the rider need?
Competitors must present a clean and well-maintained off-road motorcycle helmet for inspection during scrutinising. It must be no more than five years old (TBC) displaying a MCI or MRA approved sticker. If it has no sticker, the scrutineer will usually inspect it and provide one if it passes.
Safety is paramount and decent riding kit is required. This covers off-road boots, protective body armour and knee pads/braces. Goggles and gloves are recommended. Many riders also opt to carry a tool belt containing necessary tools and spares for repairs on the go. Camel Back style drinks are also recommended to keep hydrated.
Please visit Enduro.ie sit sponsors for more information on parts and accessories. As they all race enduro, they are always willing to help
Be safe Be Seen: Get yourself some proper riding kit - Hi Vis is optional
How do I get started?
Depending on you bike skills it might be a good idea to try the trail class for the first event and sus out the lie of the land. You wont need a licence for this and they are not too strict on the bike.
To start doing the races proper you need a race licence. Fill out the forms in the post below, go to the doctor and get the medical form filled out (if you’ve never had the licence before):
http://www.enduro.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/membership.pdf
http://www.enduro.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/adult-licence-2012.pdf
Contact your local club for more details as one-day are available but limited
On the day
On approach to the event, the paddock/start area is usually signposted via fluorescent arrows. Get used to following these, as that’s what you’ll be doing for the day! Once arrived park up and proceed to sign on and scrutineering.
Remember to pack the sandwiches or you'll have to go all Bear Grills and eat some weird crap
Administration
First sign on.
You will then be issued with a race number relative to your class, a white time card and a yellow or blue Via Check card. Next to sign on will be a board indicating start time relative to your riding number. Beside this are the time allowances per check/lap according to each class. Generally two riders start per minute with the first rider starting at 11.01 so you won’t be alone.
Filling out your time card
If lap 1 says 60, 50, 30, and your start time is 12:01 this means you have to be at the first check by 13:01, the second check by 13:51 and finish the lap by 14:21.
A “T” located beside a check time indicates which check also contains the special test.
Fill out these times on your time card (write on the plastic and don’t hole the plastic seal which holds the paper). Also write your times on some ductape on the tank.
Tree Huggin': Try to avoid situations like this...
Scrutineering
Prep your bike, full tank of fuel and then bring it and your helmet to scrutiny. Any penalties (e.g. for a broken tale light) will be marked on the Via card.
Set your watch to the same time as the race clocks. Once you’re done with all this relax and wait for your start.
When it gets close to your start minute push your bike to the start line. Do not start your bike in parc ferme until your starting time or you will get penalties.
Start your race and have fun.
Follow the arrows and watch out for "gates"
During the Race
The fluorescent arrows indicate the direction of the course. Occasionally when crossing open areas of moorland the course will be directed by white flags. When approaching a turning or change of direction arrows are generally set in a 3-2-1 sequence to warn of the upcoming direction change. Where two arrows are crossed over one another this is to warn of a hazardous or dangerous passage or change in track conditions. Slow down and approach with caution.
Stick to following the arrows otherwise you'll get lost and look stupid!
Where arrows placed immediately opposite one another in a gate like fashion means you must pass through them. Basically if there is an arrow on a tree to your left and an arrow on a tree to your right, ride between the two trees.
During the check you may approach a junction indicating the direction of the course depending on the class. A sign with Expert/Senior loop only is not part of the course for other riders. Please follow the diversion shown.
Never, ever ride the course in the opposite direction. Not matter how hard always proceed in the direction intended.
Clock Watchin': Don't pass this yellow flag until this clock tells you to - no matter how tempting what ever maybe on the other side
End of a Check
As you approach the end of the check, two large white flags will show the end of a check and are located approximately 100 yrds before the finish.
The Yellow flags located in front of the timing clock in the end of the check. Do not pass through the flags until your check time is displayed on the time clocks. If you arrive two minutes early, wait two minutes and grab a drink or bite of an energy bar you remembered to carry.
If you are late, proceed through the yellow flags. Present your time card to the observer. They’ll mark your arrival time.
Never, never give up...
Adjusting time, if your late!
Now this is where it gets slightly complicated depending on how good you are at maths…
If you get to the first check at 13:05 and not 13:01 you are four minutes late; you carry that time throughout the day. Therefore instead of checking into the next check at 13:51 you must check in at 13:55, ie your arrival time will change but the time allowed per check doesn’t. You must carry these four minutes for the remainder of the day so readjust your schedule accordingly – unless your name is Emmet Brown and drive a DeLorean you can’t gain that time back!
An extra pair of hands are always helpful!
VIA Check
These are unmanned stamp checks located mid way through a check to ensure everybody follows the same course. It will usually be a hole punch stamper hanging by a chain from a tree. Punch your via check card in the appropriate spot on the card. Don’t get smart and punch all the sections on the via check card at the first via check you meet as you may meet another one with a hole punch of a different shape. Don’t lose this, keep dry and as safe as possible, you need to hand it in at the end of the day.
These smiley faces will be waiting to take your number at the start and finish of each test and check...
Special Test
The special test is used to decide the results of a race especially when more than one competitor finishes clean on time. It is timed to 1/100th of a second. The special test is a timed section of the course within a check. When you arrive to the start of a test, an official will be waiting. Wait until they record your number and tell you when to start the test. Upon starting the test you will break a timing beam, you have now begun the test.
You break this timing beam to start and end your test...
Ride this section of the course as fast as you possibly can. At the end of the test you will break another timing beam recording the finishing time of your test. Once past the beam and at a safe distance so as not to impede the chasing rider, stop and allow the official to record your riding number. Officials will subtract the start time from the finishing time to give you the time it took to complete your special test run. Now continue on with your check as per normal.
If during the test you are caught by a chasing/faster rider move aside and allow them to pass, do not hold them up.
... But don't do this
Injured Rider
If you are first on the scene of an accident, stop and stay with the injured rider until appropriate help arrives. Send the next rider ahead to alert a marshal or the person at the next check. Time lost due to helping a fallen rider is rewarded.
If you break down, tell someone and start pushing... the hand in your timecard
Finishing
Once you complete your set time card and have finished your day hand in both your times card and via check card to the official finisher in the start finish area. If retiring do not ride against the course. No-one should tell you to do this. If you do retire MAKE SURE TO HAND IN YOUR TIME CARD TO AN OFFICIAL SO THEY KNOW YOU ARE SAFE.
Once your home don’t forget to check out Enduro.ie to see the results. Results are usually out a day (or two) after race day.
That’s about it… time to go racing!
Fun Times...
Many Thanks to Tom Gallery for putting this together…
Words: Tom Gallery
Images: ©Robert Lynn