The Enduro21.com ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, Powered by Husqvarna Motorcycles heads to the Westwood venue, near Sheffield, this coming weekend for two days of woods style enduro special test racing.
Introduced to the BSEC series in 2013, Westwood offered up some great racing and proved a huge hit with the riders. With a mass of woodland trails and tracks to play on rounds seven and eight will see a traditional style enduro special test, one that’s sure to deliver closely fought, action packed racing.
Entering the second half of the season it’s Beta’s Danny McCanney who holds the championship lead in the Michelin Comp VI Elite class. Recording three wins to date, McCanney is very much on form but with KTM’s Tom Sagar showing him the way home by winning round six at Chavenage Farm he’s not had things easy.
Getting stuck into the wet and wild conditions that turned round six into a mud fest, Sagar delivered a master class in mud riding. Going on to then dominant round two of the European Enduro Championship the following weekend in Romania, Sagar is clearly having an incredible season. But with both riders favouring the technical forestry trails Westwood has to offer the fight for victory will be a close one.
The Husqvarna paring of Jamie McCanney and Jamie Lewis are also more than capable of winning this weekend. In 2013 McCanney dominated the race and has fond memories of the venue. Still recovering from injury, McCanney has the pace to win again if his fitness allows. Lewis is also enjoying a strong season but with a couple of mistakes having prevented the Welshman from securing a podium result he’ll be hoping to set that right at Westwood.
In the Husqvarna Under 23 category James Dent (KTM) rose to the top of class at rounds five and six with a debut victory. Now, with a win finally in his back pocket, Dent will be hungry to repeat his winning result. Despite admitting to being off form at rounds five and six, championship leader Rob Johnson still placed as runner-up. At Westwood he knows he’ll have to quickly put a halt to Dent’s winning intentions. Frazer Norrie (KTM) and Josh Gotts (TM) will both make a long trip from opposite ends of the country to have their say in the battle for Under 23 honours.
The Motul Under 19 class is shaping into a three-way fight for the title. Joe Wootton (Husqvarna) and Brad Freeman (KTM) have taken the majority of wins but at round five it was 125cc mounted Lee Sealey (Husqvarna) that secured his debut class victory. And with all three riders believing that they can win again, Westwood will be a close fight for victory. Behind the leading trio, Antoine Criq (Beta), Charlie Frost (KTM), Luke Flack (Beta) and Jon Hunt (Sherco) are all waiting to pick up the pieces.
Husqvarna’s Jordan Ridgway and Jack Staines (KTM) are the riders to watch out for in the Enduro21.com 125 Youth class with Alex Walton (KTM), Robbie Wallace (Yamaha) and Rob Armitage (Husqvarna) likely to not be too far away.
Enjoying the muddy conditions at Chavenage Farm and Saints Well, KTM’s Charlie Evans gained an advantage over early pacesetter Carl Brogden (TM) in the Amped Expert category. Knowing the Westwood venue will be right up his street, Evans goes there confident of another win. But with Brogden and Jamie Paget (Husqvarna) both in contention Evans will still have to be at his best to top the podium.
Beta’s Andrew Reeves has been the rider to beat in the Acerbis Expert Vets class and leads from Phil Lewis (KTM) and Lee Cornish (KTM) while Keith Jones (KTM) tops the USWE Clubman Vets.
In the DEP Pipes Clubman class the results have been too close to call. Jack Penhaligon (Husaberg), Chris Bennetto (Sherco), Reece Morewood (Yamaha) and Ross Bainbridge have all kept things exciting at the front of the class.
Looking to remain undefeated in 2014, Husqvarna’s Jane Daniels will be looking for another pair of wins at Westwood over Katie Walker (KTM).
The Enduro21.com ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, powered by Husqvarna Motorcycles continues with rounds seven and eight at Westwood, near Sheffield, this weekend June 21/22.
Directions: The start area for rounds 7&8 of the 2014 BSEC series is just a few minutes from Junction 36 of the M1, near Sheffield. Follow event signs from the motorway to the start/finish and parking areas.
Postcode (nearest): S75 3DL
Entry Fee: Adults £10.00 each. Under 14 year olds free.
Parking: Vehicles will be parked on site, close to the rider’s paddock and start/finish area.
General info: Racing starts at 9.30am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and seven timed laps will be followed by the event prize giving ceremony. Catering and toilet facilities will be available on site.