Can David Knight end the ’10 British Enduro Sprint Championship as winner of each and every special test?
MID WALES is the place to be this coming weekend as the final two rounds of the ’10 ACU British Enduro Sprint Championship take place at Saints Well, near Llanbister, in Powys. And with more riders entered than at any other round of the series it looks set to be an event not to be missed.
In what has been an exciting and unpredictable season of racing one constant has remained – the stunning pace of dominant Manxman David Knight. The Farioli KTM star has been the rider to beat in the Elite class and to date has not only convincingly won each day of the Championship, but has also set the fastest time on all 33 special tests held to date. A fifth consecutive victory on Saturday will ensure Knight is crowned the ’10 ACU BESC champion, but Knight has his sights set on ending the series having topped each and every one of the Championship’s special tests.
KORR KTM duo Greg Evans and Darryl Bolter hold second and third respectively but Electraction TM's Phil McLaughlin and Husqvarna's Si Wakely are nipping at their heels. On recent form Evans has the edge over his rivals after finishing runner up to Knight at rounds three and four. Those results have helped Greg etch out a 13-point cushion over Bolter who will no doubt have his hands full fending off the advances of both McLaughlin in fourth and Wakely in fifth. With much still up for grabs one thing’s certain – there’s going to be some exciting racing at the Championship’s final rounds.
The Under 23 class has produced some of the most unexpected results to date. Britain's current crop of BEC regulars were expected to rule the proceedings but enduro rookies Alex Rockwell and Daniel McCanney caught them off guard. MPS Husqvarna Racing's Rockwell topped the pile at rounds one and two but saw his hopes of title success ended when he crashed out of round three. Handing the points lead to Gas Gas rider McCanney, the young Manxman now looks poised to capture his first major British enduro title.
However, Midwest Husaberg's Ollie Moyce will be certain not to let McCanney have things all his own way as far as the Under 23 title is concerned having claimed the overall class win at round four. With titles on the line no rider will be satisfied with anything other than a winning result. But with Rockwell returning to the series, and with local resident Ashley Wood competing on adopted home turf, the Championship contenders will have more than just themselves to consider.
Midwest Husaberg's pairing of Aaron Poolman and Tyson Maytom-Jones head the field of Experts. Poolman has three wins to his credit and but must finish at least second both days if Jones takes a double victory.
So with much still to play for, Saint Wells, near Rhayader, Mid Wales, is the place to catch Britain's enduro stars in action this weekend. The BESC has delivered on its promise to deliver a high profile Championship that produces close and exciting racing and if the previous rounds are any indication of what is to be expected then the series finale looks set to be a cracker. Don't miss it...
David Knight – Elite class BESC series leader: ‘I’m really looking forward to the event as the Championship’s been great so far. I know that there are a lot of enduro enthusiasts in Wales, and in Mid Wales in particular, so hopefully there’ll be a good turn out to watch the event. I think it’ll surprise a few people just how action packed the sprint events are. The first four rounds of the series have been great and have gone really well for me. I’ve not been beaten on a special test yet so I’d love to finish the Championship having won each and every test. I know I’ll have to push hard to make that happen, but two more event wins is what I’m aiming for.’
Directions: Rounds five (Saturday, May 29) & six (Sunday, May 30) of the British Enduro Sprint Championship will be signed from the A483, approximately one mile north of Llanbister. After turning off the A483 follow indication arrows to the event. Postcode: LD1 6PT
Entry Fee: Adults £7.50, includes complimentary event programme. Under 14-year-olds free. Overnight spectator camping £10.00
Parking: Vehicles will be parked on a generous, grass covered, parking area no more than two minutes away from the rider’s paddock.
General Info: Racing will start at 9.45am both days. The circuit laid out at Saints Well offers a mix of grass tracks with some woodland as well as a motocross track. Catering and toilet facilities will be available.
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British Enduro Sprint Championship