British Enduro Championship 2004 - Diss MCC Breckland Enduro
This was the first round of the British Championship and is traditionally a fast and tiring event to start the season. With long laps and fast tracks there is nowhere to rest and it is basically a four hour plus special test. The smooth forest tracks soon rutted up with massive berms and deep whoops and ruts developing. It is a very physical course with no room for error in the tight trees.
A large Scottish contingent made the long trip south - up to 12 hours driving for Richard hay and Derek Little. But it was worth it for the number of Scots who finished on the podiums. Chris Hay had an outstanding ride to finish in 3rd place overall behind winner David Knight ( KTM 525 ) and Paul Edmondson (Honda 250 2T). A slight error early on just made him go faster for the rest of the event to come from 6th on Day 1. In the Experts Ricky Mair was 1st on both days to record an excellent win against some very tough competition. Graeme Naismith took the win in the Clubman class also securing the over 40 win. The effort he put in was evident in his hands with little skin on them at the end of the event.
In the 450 Championship class Richard Hay lead home Kevin Murray (REME) and Derek Little. This was really a day for fast 2 strokes in the tight trees. But the big 4 strokes looked very smooth in the tests with good traction. And they sound fantastic. Wait for Wales!
Stewart Livingston kept on time in the over 40's and Richard (Pain is my friend !) McVicker found the going in the Expert class tough but ultimately rewarding as he had to up his pace to compete.
Other Experts finished well up the order with Murray Thomson finishing in 12th, Alistair Lauder in 23rd, and Chris Stewart in 36th. Martin Pennycook in his first event since his accident last year was happy to finish both days in the experts - Scotland can't be this hard!
In the Clubman class Paul Chatham finished in 25th place in his first year of competition after leading the 125 class before his bike developed a problem and would not reach full power - only 35 mph max - but he kept going in the tight trees to achieve very competitive times in the test. And he hardly event seemed to be breathing hard - just learning the sport he hopes to do all the rounds. Sean Wooley (the invisible man) finished in 28th. Michael Lowrie and Douglas Page also made the trip down to try a BEC round. With Alan Lauder there to encourage and support the riders.
A very well organised event with good commentary and up to date results - just damn hard to ride !
Thanks to the Diss club and Marshalls for another great event.
Photos - click to enlarge. If you want a better copy - e-mail me.
More photos also available from www.charlesnrobinson.com.
 The calm before the storm |
 Graeme Naismith and Richard Hay |
 Ric McVicker - Stewart Livingston |
 The Jones - hard to keep up with - Geraint , Dylan and Rowan |
 Paul Chatham - the start of a challenge |
 James Darrie and Chris Buchan |
 The
Support Crew - |
 Chris Hay - first time around |
 Adopted Scot - Chris Hockey |
 Ed Jones- 5th Overall |
 Lee Jones - getting down to it |
 Helpers start young down here - Neil Williams(59) wee boy Ben lends a hand ! |
 Ricky Mair smiling after day one - 1st place !! |
 Katie Wakely - very fast - 14th in Clubman |
 James Darrie in the woods |
 Stewart Livingston passes in the test |
 The evil snapper strikes- Alistair Lauder gets a knee down in the test |
 Murray Thomson flying |
 Euan McConnel raising funds for the British ISDE team. |
 Ricky - back in the woods again on Day 2 |
 The effort shows in Kevin Murrays face at the end of another test |
 Andrew Edwards gets down |
 Chris flies |
 But Paul Edmondson lays it right down ! |
 Richard Hay shows how to ride feet up |
 Derek Little keeps it in tight |
 Wayne Braybrook backs it in. |