The 2013 ACU British Enduro Championship heads west in the month of July as the series reaches the pivotal mid-season Welsh rounds. The Knighton Enduro is the first, on the weekend July 13-14, and is sure to be an exciting one as it was when last run in 2011. The winner then was Tom Sagar and he’ll be looking to take the double again this time, to continue his unbeaten record at the head of the 2013 championship. The Knighton Enduro is the third of this six-round (11 race) series which travels the UK from Scotland to Wales, Yorkshire and the South East before a new champion is crowned at the final round in Norfolk in November.
Sagar (Colwyn Bay M/cs KTM) is unlikely to have an easy run. At the recent Welsh Two Day Enduro he was beaten by on-form arch-rival Daryl Bolter (Crescent KTM) not to mention fellow Welshman Jamie Lewis (Edmondson Racing CRE-F450R) and back-from-injury West Country lad Steve Holcombe (Crescent KTM). The race for the most prestigious title in UK enduro looks set for some hot competition. There will be some nervous energy in the supporting classes too, with Rob Johnson (Husqvarna) and Ryan McLean (KTM) just four points apart in the Experts, while Lee Sealey will need to keep an eye on an improving Jack Staines in the Clubman ranks.
THE KNIGHTON ENDURO
Round three, the ‘Knighton Enduro’, will take place in the Radnor Forest in mid-Wales. The Central Wales Auto Club has devised an impressive 30-mile course all off-road (so no ‘issues’ with the Police). The trails will take in farmland, forestry roads and the usual forest tracks and trails. There’s a new race paddock this year to be found on farmland six miles west of Knighton on the A488.
Mark Vaughan, Central Wales Auto Club: “It’s looking to a be a great event. The weather has been kind so far this summer so the course should be in excellent condition. There’s no road work for this year, so while competitors still need to be ACU enduro compliant there won’t be the need to be fully road legal. We’ve also got new tests for both the cross country and motocross tests so there’s plenty for the riders to look forward to. And we’re welcoming anyone who’d like a one-day ride – you could have a great weekend, watching the Championship contenders one day and then having a go the next. It’s a beautiful part of the country, well worth coming to – a ride you’ll really enjoy. So come along, support your sport and have a great weekend.”
Entries are still open – ACU licence holders can enter using the ACU’s members online entries system.