It’s title deciding time as the final two rounds of the 2013 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship heads to Chacombe, near Banbury, this weekend August 31/September 1.
With all the major championships yet to be decided the stage is set for a thrilling closure to the 2013 season. Event organisers, GMC Events, in conjunction with Enduroland, are busy preparing a brand new venue to the BSEC series – one that will ensure close and action packed racing. Picturesque farmland pastures mixed with woodland will ensure a course that will challenge and entertain the competitors of the BSEC series.
In the Elite class the fight for this year’s championship is set to go down to the wire between Husqvarna’s Matti Seistola, Gas Gas’ Danny McCanney and Husaberg’s Jamie McCanney. With their two worst scores removed Seistola heads the title chase by just six points over Danny McCanney, while brother Jamie sits a further four points back in third. With nothing assured, Seistola will need to fight off the attacks from both McCanney brothers if he wishes to be crowned this year’s Elite BESC champion.
Despite missing the opening two rounds of the season Danny McCanney is very much in the mix of things but will still need to find that winning form that saw him top round four if he wants to edge out Seistola for the title.
Last time out at Westwood, Sheffield, Jamie McCanney came right on form. Dominating the race from start to finish he claimed his first win of the season. Now with confidence at an all-time high, the Manxman has his sights set on becoming the 2013 BSEC champion and will be giving it 100 per cent to win the final two rounds.
Ready to shake things up and become spoilers in the mix, Honda’s Jamie Lewis, KTM’s Tom Sagar and Jonny Walker along with Beta’s Lee Edmondson are ready to capitalise on any mistakes made by the title contenders.
In the Under 23 category the championship battle looks set to be decided between Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland and KTM’s Steve Holcombe. Rowland - who has just recently returned from a winning ride in the European Enduro Championship - maintains a 20-point advantage over Holcombe when their two worst scores are removed. But with Holcombe securing three wins in the last three rounds of the series, Rowland can’t afford to ride cautiously in Oxford should he wish to become champion. Behind the leading duo, the fight for the final step of the podium will be fought out between James Dent (TM), Neil Chatham (KTM) and Max Varney (Yamaha).
With six race wins to his credit, Husqvarna’s Rob Johnson is poised to collect the Under 19 title this weekend. Holding a 12-point lead over his closet rival TM’s Josh Gotts – on corrected points – Johnson needs another solid performance to end his year as the 2013 Under 19 BSEC champion. Close behind in second place Gotts will be a hoping that a mistake from Johnson will see the title come his way.
Although starting the series with a victory at round one, Kawasaki’s Joe Wootton has seen bad luck and crashes hamper his chances of fighting for the title. But with two rounds still remaining the young Kawasaki rider will be trying hard to end his frustrating season on a high. Behind Wootton, Andrew Bull (KTM) and Scott Altass (KTM) complete the top five.
Securing his sixth consecutive victory at round six in Sheffield, KTM’s Brad Freeman has already been crowned the 125 Youth champion. However, with the opportunity to record a perfect season still up for grabs, Freeman will be pushing 100 per cent at rounds seven and eight to do exactly that. Husaberg’s Lee Sealey sits behind Freeman in the championship standings and will be eager to consolidate his runner-up position in the series with another good run out this weekend. Thirteen points ahead of fourth placed Drew Slevin (Yamaha) on corrected points - KTM’s Jack Staines is almost assured the final step of the podium baring any unforeseen disasters.
In the highly competitive Expert class, KTM’s Richard Ely is on course to successfully defend his title. Ely - on corrected points - leads Kawasaki’s Brad King by 10 points and can settle for a pair of runner-up results to claim the title should King win both days. However, with Sherco’s Scott Austin, Husaberg’s Jamie Paget, TM’s Carl Brogden and KTM’s Dan Beaven all capable of taking a top three result, the outcome of the Expert championship is anything but certain.
Andrew Reeves (KTM) leads the Expert Vet class over Neil Bowker (Honda) with TM’s Carl Tiley in third. With six wins to his credit Tim Cotton (Husaberg) is the firm favourite to lock down the Clubman Vet championship over Dai Beer (KTM) and Richard Holland (KTM).
In the Clubman class everything is still to play for between Mark Denslow (KTM) and Richard Holmes (KTM). With two wins to his tally, Denslow has the edge over Holmes but will still need to perform at his best should be wish to bring the Clubman title home to Cornwall.
In the Women’s class Husaberg’s Jane Daniels holds a six-point lead over KTM’s Katie Walker on corrected points. Another double win this weekend will see Daniels successfully defend her BSEC crown.
Directions: The event will take place just outside the village of Chacombe, five minutes from junction 11 of the M40 at Banbury. Follow event signs from the A361 to the start/finish and parking areas.
Postcode: OX17 2JR
Entry Fee: Adults £10.00 each. Under 14 year olds free. Includes complimentary series programme.
Parking: Vehicles will be parked on site, on a generous, flat, parking area 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 four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break and paddock autograph signing session. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.
Catering and toilet facilities will be available on site.