The 2012 ACU British Enduro Championship travels to the enduro heartland of mid-Wales over the weekend of July 14-15 for the Rock Oil North - Hafren Enduro. It's the third round of the five round national series and as the championship reaches its mid-point it's a time of serious application for the championship contenders.
David Knight (KTM 500EXC), it has to be said, with four wins from four days has seemingly total command over the outright standings as he looks to tie-up his tenth British championship. But not far behind him the battle to be Britain's number two has intensified as former champion Tom Sagar (Honda CRF450) is matching experience and four-stroke might against the up-and coming youth of Danny McCanney on his agile Gas Gas EC300 Racing two-stroke. It's an evenly matched tussle that's sure to go all the way to the end of the series.
With the first two rounds hit by rains, high winds, even snow, the championship will be hoping the mid-summer date for the Hafren will bring much needed sun. The vastly-experienced organising club, mindful of putting on an event that will please championship and clubman competitors alike, have put a lot of effort into creating a course that will both challenge the top riders but allow fair passage for the lesser talented.
Rowan Jones, Hafren Dirt Bike Club: “There's been a lot of discussion on the future of the BEC and which formats best suit it, and certainly it's never easy to please all factions. So in line with feedback we have modernised the Hafren Enduro. Course length has now dropped from 45 to 30 miles, to allow an extra lap, and an extra run at the two special tests – most riders appreciate more time in the tests. The course has been devised to allow a rideable lap no matter the conditions. But to keep the traditional values alive, we've planned a short tight check that's sure to test riders' trail skills as well. The hope is everyone gets to enjoy a good, competitive, two days of riding.
“We've looked to optimise the logistical set-up as well. The race paddock is again located at the Llanidloes Rugby Club, which offers good permanent facilities and is only a short walk from the town. Meanwhile the refuel and service will be sited at the Glynhafren test, meaning support crew have only the one location to man, which placed next to one of the tests also allows them to better follow the competition. We honestly want everyone – riders, of all levels, and helpers –to have the best weekend's sport as is possible.”
Entries for the Rock Oil North - Hafren Enduro remain open, for regulations and details go to: www.hafrendbc.co.uk
2011 ACU British Enduro Champions
Outright Champion: Greg Evans KTM 350EXC-F
E1 (two-stroke) Champion: Ashley Wood KTM 125EXC
E1 (four-stroke) Champion: Paul Edmondson KTM 250XC-F
E2 Champion: Tom Sagar KTM 450EXC
E3 Champion: Danny McCanney Gas Gas EC300
Expert Champion: Lewis Belfield KTM 250EXC
Clubman Champion: Rob Johnson Husqvarna TE250
Veterans Champion: Wyn Hughes Husqvarna TE449
About the ACU British Enduro Championship
The ACU British Enduro Championship (BEC) is the premiere off-road motorcycle championship in the UK. With an officially-sanctioned 36-year history the championship encompasses the UK’s most long-standing, toughest enduros. Past champions include world champions David Knight and Paul Edmondson and worldwide enduro legend Geraint Jones. BEC enduros see riders compete for up to eight hours per day following a cross country trail according to a strict and often demanding time schedule, along the way completing special tests timed to the second. The winner is the rider who typically stays penalty free on the trail and sets the best times in the tests (the riders‘ scores being a accumulation of trail and test times – the least time wins). The BEC is governed by the ACU – the internationally sanctioned national governing body for motorcycle sport in the British Isles (except Northern Ireland).
2012 ACU British Enduro Championship
Round 1: February 18-19 Saints Well, Mid Wales
Round 2: April 14-15 Helmsley, North Yorks
Round 3: July 14-15 Hafren, Mid Wales
Round 4: September 1-2 Natterjack, Hampshire
Round 5: October 13-14 SEEC, Surrey