Dave champion again !
He is relatively local to Tinahely and the 2017 Irish Enduro champion; congratulations to Dave MC Nulty on claiming his 2nd ( or is it third ?) Irish Title. Congratulations also to Michael Tobin who is the senior champion despite missing the last round. The final placings in the Clubman and Sportsman need to be confirmed.
D.MCNulty in Action!
Tinahely , always the final event of the season , normally wet but for 2016 surprisingly dry and a great event it was for it . There were some new riders in the Clubman, Sportsman class and we are not so sure they would agree with that sentiment as whilst the lap was excellent it was rocky (you could say) in places, physical and had the odd climb to test the knobblies. Nothing we would or could call stoppers but tricky enough if the head of steam was not up. . Well done to Dave MC Cann , Dave Crean , Dave MC Nulty and all the crew . For those who found it tough the two Daves had to ride the second loop in the dark looking for Leighton ( who had kindly gone out to clear up) only to find him sitting in his car when they returned so time later and very late . Difficult ride we would say !
Likely lads
There was of course a bit of “foreign” interest with Both Italian Andrea Bassi and Cornwall’s Josh Gotts competing. Andrea, well known to us here managed to get lost on the way to the event, ending up in Waterford and then both he and Gotts got lost in the first check ( ?) arriving back at Parc Ferme instead of the test . Fortunately for them there was enough time to reroute and make the first check on time. Provisionally young Gotts won the event but only just from the Impressive MC Nulty , 8 seconds up from the first test only to be overtaken on the last . A good contest.
The event also saw the welcome return from Australia of ip freely junior (alias Philip Powderly).
A rider with more talent in his little toe than most of us have in our whole body. Alas his steed a Xr250 donated by good old uncle Godfrey became afraid when it heard Philip would be the pilot and decided to lie down and pretend to be dead. Shame as both would have had a interesting spin. No doubt they would have seen the track from close quarters a few times. Maybe next time we can see Philips true talent.
Check point 2
Dave Mc Nulty: “I pushed hard at first, too hard maybe and suffered from Armpump ; not too far away and pleased to win the IC again , great event , thanks .“
Josh Gotts: “ Yea , that was a real Enduro; have not fell off that many times all season let alone in one event , fair play for the event , real good and I enjoyed it. “
Never happened before as know but Merlin Silverthorne was both first and last in the Senior Class (not that he would not be running at the front anyway) as he was the only entrant in that class. Quite what happened to all then other seniors is? That is a worry.
Ian Scott was a clear winner in the Clubman class and Eamon Blake has another good run in Sportsman to win again by quite a margin. Well done to them all , not the easiest of days.
Coc Dave in full flight
Thanks to the Gap pub for the use of their facilities, the food, breakfast and atmosphere… It all adds to the event. Weather gods, thanks, to all check people, marshalls , helpers and COC Dave MC Cann … great job.
So 2016 comes to a close. We have said it many times but it needs repeating, land is not easy to get and we have some of the best here. In ways the events are “old school” but none the worse for it and every event has been good …… earlier events were wet and difficult , latter events dry and rocky but none a walk in the park . Be proud of yourself if you finished them as everyone’s standard is different. Onward to 2017.
Enduro.ie