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SACU 2002 National ENDURO

Melville MCC St John's of Dalry Enduro
Dumfries

3rd November 2002

Provisional Results - Report and Photos Below

Flippers and snorkels were packed for the final event of the 2002 Scottish enduro championship. With heavy rain for the previous week the course was expected to be under water. Surprisingly the course was almost dry with no deep ruts forming and only a few muddy areas that were still rideable. There were tree roots which got slicker as the day wore on but overall it was a flowing course.

Set out by Andrew McConnel over the previous few months it was a true enduro but very enjoyable. The hardest part of the course was the last 10 yards up to the final check as you emerged from the trees. Roots, stumps, mud - all in one place. It was easier to carry your bike to the line and hand in your card - (or was it just me !!). With no real stoppers on the course most riders were in on time. A short event of 3 1/2 hours it was a perfect  finish to the season with the riders tired but smiling after a testing course but one that allowed riders to keep moving - unlike the previous event where riders were digging bikes out of ruts.

The test was flowing over the first couple of laps then some deep muddy ruts developed ready to trap the unwary which slowed things a bit. Starting with some fast going over tree roots and some very slippy muddy straights it finished with fast tracks in the forest with a few tight turns thrown in.  Great fun to ride it allowed the top riders to fly and the rest to try and keep up.

After some confusion at the start over the start time the event ran smoothly. A couple of hills were cut out as they rutted up and the Sportsmen were reduced to two laps. Quick route marking by the marshalls and some changes of course ensured that any problem areas were dealt with.

Malcolm Bissett had a short day as he holed a case 5 minutes after the start. But he smiled all day and pointed out the best lines in the test - handy bloke to have around !. Ian Bell was out on his KX/KDX 200 showing some of the younger riders how to avoid getting stuck. Joe Gilroy was pushing hard all day chasing Stephen Scott for the Clubman award but couldn't quite manage to close the gap. Both riders moving up to expert class next year where they will find things even faster.

Steve Potts (token Englishman ) nipped across the border for his only Scottish ride this year and won the Sportsman class. He has managed to get his photo on the website every year so far - so seemed a shame to break his run (see below) He organises the Otterburn event - so knows a wee bit about the sport.

Derek Little turned in some blistering times in the test to seal his Championshiop for another year. Closely pursued all year by Murray Thomson and Graeme Naismith this was one of the closest title races for a few years and was all down to the last event. Congratulations.

Thanks to Andrew for setting out a superb event - even longer next year please ?.

Finally thanks to the Melville club for persisting all year to get their events run - despite torrential rain and land problems - they got both events done and helped make a meaningful Championship.

Next year there are 9 events - so start training now !

Photos taken by Colin Hume - many thanks !

Click on the photo to enlarge. (If you want a copy let me know - these are reduced in size)

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