enduro news
© Bob MuIIinsEppynt 2003 Report by Bob Mullins
The Eppynt 2 day enduro - the 3rd round of the ACU British Enduro Championship - took place on the 9th & 10th August on the Army ranges above Sennybridge in Mid Wales. If circumstances had been different it might have been the last two days of the 2003 ISDE but... It was the most hotly contested event of the year. In fact it was the most hotly contested event since records began as temperatures soared to over 100 degrees fahrenheit on both days. The Army had placed signs at the entrance to the ranges warning that heat stress levels were black. I don't know what this meant but I am sure it didn't mean wear a cardi. The event was organised by the Welsh Trail Riders Association & it was a classic example of their innovation plus attention to detail. CoC Peter Brookes' superb course was a complete spectrum of the varied going available in the form of a clover leaf with the Start, Check 1, Check 2 & both test at the centre for the benefit of the spectators, marshals & support crews. From the start, Stage 1 went north up Journey's End to Maboin's Way then south through the felled forestry of Block B. If it had rained this stick fest would have been tiresome. Anticipating an early retirement & worried he would miss filming one of my trademark crashes, Frank Morgan pre-empted the situation by driving at me in his Subaru out of the dust on a forestry road. Thanks Frank for that much needed adrenalin rush. At the lowest point of Block B the course followed a muddy stream. In this long, deep rut, I found clear evidence for the demise in the popularity of the KDX - with it's unique ground anchoring front forks - as I ploughed my own very lonely furrow but the schedule on this stage was slack & there plenty of time for a leisurely sighting lap of the first test just before Check 1. Check 2 was very different. Like the hand of a Great Master can be seen in the work of his apprentices then every WTRA event will have a piece that is pure Perring & it is in the Crychan that it will be hidden. Straight after Check 2 - as the course entered the trees & light became dark - an old DRZ was an unmistakable sign that something wicked this way comes. This feeling of unease was confirmed as the riders dropped into narrow irrigation ditch. Following the rocky stream for 100 yards with their heads below ground level & the wheels of returning riders, each competitor had ample time to consider how they would get out of the hole before they faced a classic Perring wall of muddy clay. Nice one Bob. The Crychan stage was tight going & tight on time. Following Check 2 the riders went straight into the second test which consisted of couple of flat grassy fields although Chris Hay found plenty of lift (top left: Photo by Gary Jones). There was a huge taped spiral in the centre. If the heat hadn't made your head spin already then this would do it. The return loop south along the Driver Training Course & across the tussocks was a chance to cool off but only a slim chance. David Knight had a little work to do on his bike before the event when the noise tester determined that he was saving weight by dispensing with a horn & using his exhaust as an audible warning. The scrutineers were once again very keen on sprocket covers/stone traps. This had nothing to do with fact that the event was part sponsored by sprocket manufacturer Talon. The schedule was 2 55 mile laps a day for the Clubmen & 3 laps for the Experts/Championship with the Experts missing out the Crychan on the 3rd lap. Wesley Beane (right: Photo by Cellopix) tried for the cover of DBR by carving this tight line on the 1st test but moments later he made the back page. Keith Horsnell also went his own way, taking out the timing equipment & a shed load of stakes. The end of the first test was subsequently changed by the inclusion of a narrow loop around a parked quad presumably to slow down the riders. It was very effective in my case as I hit the quad & stopped a foot short of the beam. On day 1, I rode 90 miles, sweated out 9 litres of water & retired with time to spare but thoroughly washed out (left: Photo by Gary Jones). A loop was cut on the final stage of the day for the Championship class but Euan McConnell missed the change & rode the whole section which lost him valuable working time. David Knight was the overall winner ahead of runner up Tim Lewis. Due to the heat the MX computer timing systems failed but the organisers implemented manual timing. William Jones retired with a wrist injury. An air ambulance was summoned for an injured rider but his injuries were not as serious as first suspected & he was evacuated by road. David Knight also won Day 2 ahead of Paul Edmondson. Edward Jones was third on both days. With a 33pt lead over his brother Juan & subject to confirmation by the ACU, Knight has also won the 2003 British Enduro Championship with one round left to go. Other winners include Daryl Bolter (Best Expert & 125/2), Gareth Edmunds (Best Expert 250/4), Chris Whitehouse (Best Expert 500/4), Jason Darby ( Best Clubman 250/2), Dave Cholwill (Best Veteran) & Donna Gray (Best Lady).
Paul Edmondson press release
The 3rd round of the British enduro championship had added excitement with the UFO Yamaha team mates of Paul Edmondson and David Knight going head to head over the excellent tests at Epynt MOD ranges. Each day the riders completed 3 laps and a total of 7 special tests, each lap had one cross-country and one mx test, both of which were basically grass tests and offered excellent viewing for the support crews and spectators. Although the course was not too demanding and the control times quite generous the real challenge was from the extremely hot weather which caused many riders to dehydrate. Day one proved to be very frustrating for Paul because after lap one and two good tests some damaged to one of his forks caused oil to leak over the front brake, the only thing he could do was to retire and repair the fork in preparation for the second day. Day two, Paul and David battled on every test within a second or two of each other and well clear of the rest of the field, while Paul was the master of the mx tests David was in control of the faster cross-country stage and at the end of the Day it was Knighter who held a slight advantage and took the days win by just over 2 seconds.
David Knight press release
The Eppynt enduro round 3 of the 2003 British enduro championship, was held in hot and dusty conditions over the weekend with three laps each day, and seven timed special tests. It was going to be an exciting race with David Knight up against Paul Edmondson on equal machines.
Day 1 started well, with David winning the opening mx test from Paul, which was held on a grass field and was very tight and twisty. Then it was onto the second lap and the first timed cross country test, which started in a quarry and went into grass fields that were more open than the mx test. David, again, won this test. Paul, unfortunately, had to retire with a front fork problem, therefore, cutting his day short. With Paul out, David would have to wait until Sunday to race against Paul again. David still had to concentrate on winning day 1, which he did, from Ed Jones who took a well earned second, his best British championship result so far this year.
Day 2 started a bit overcast and the early morning dew made the first cross country test very slick. David started where he finished on day 1 and took just over 3 seconds out of Paul, but then in the first mx test Paul took 0.2 seconds from David, showing the old bugger can still ride! David then getting the 450 Road and Track Yamaha wound up, he won the next four special tests, and having a seven second lead, rode a safe last mx test to win the day by 6 seconds, extending his lead in the championship, with Paul coming home second and Ed Jones taking third position. David said, "The Epynt is always one of the best enduros of the year and this year, with the brilliant weather, it was no exception. I just wish we could have a world championship enduro like this in Britain, with forestry and fast open moorland and two well set-out special tests. It was enjoyable for everyone who rode the event. There were timing problems on Saturday and the results are not official yet, however, I am sure it will be sorted. I would like to thank the Club and marshals for all their hard work and putting on an excellent event."
Euan McConnell
"Cracking event. Great course. Lots of variety. I particularly liked the Perring section through the Crychan - very interesting. The tests were good as well. Well done to all involved."
Results: Day 1: Day 2 only. Championship standings
Photos available from Keith Bowen, Cellopix.co.uk or Gary Jones 01267 231258 after 6pm
Video: Frank Morgan, Malvern Lodge, Howey, LLANDRINDOD WELLS, Powys, LD1 5RE. Tel: 01597 822642