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SACU 2003 Championship ENDURO

Round 1 - Melville MMC Pathhead Enduro

20th April 2003

With a large entry of over 120 riders this was a great start to the 2003 season. A lot of new faces and some older ones as well as the over 40 class also has one of it's biggest entries. With riders from all over Scotland and quite a few from the North of England it shows how popular the sport is .

The day dawned cold and overcast and most riders were freezing queuing for sign on. Luckily there was no rain and the clouds gave way to sun ( a large yellow ball in the sky ) and perfect riding conditions. The course set out by Kenny Donaldson and his team (Colin Armitage, Stan Peterson  Alex Kirk and Stewart Macdonald ) over the previous months was an ideal start to the year. Overall the course was dry with some fast field work and tight woods - there were also a few wee damp patches to catch out the unwary - careful line choice was essential. One rider stuck in a bog watched as Ian Bell ( known as the Mudmaster) carefully plotted a course and sailed through. There is no substitute for experience. The course wound it's way round several fields and some fast open going. This proved the undoing for DEREK LITTLE - only 5 minutes after the start of his title defence on his new Ride On Yamaha 450 he hit a rock hidden in grass and ended up with a broken leg. He also managed to get tire marks on both sides - this bike wasn't messing about. The first aiders were driven up on the back of two bikes to attend to him and a 4X4 driven by Jim Douglas and Henry Harvey brought him out. Thanks to these folk for all their help. Thanks also to Murray Thomson Richard Hay and Malcolm Bissett for stopping to aid Derek till help came. In the sport you will not be penalised for helping another rider  - any time you lose you get back . Safety First Another rider also suffered on the day - James Darrie who ended his day with a broken hand - hope it is getting better now. Thanks to the Red Cross for all their efforts in looking after the riders.

Several familiar names started one of the largest Expert classes for years. Richard Hay getting in practice for the British Rounds on his Yamaha GB 450. Crawford Carrick Anderson - better known for his mountain biking competeing in Scotland for the first time after some very good results down south. Les Winthrope back after wee gap - another well know trials rider. Ricky Mair and Joe Gilroy joining the Experts for the first time. Joe having a good race - apart from getting well stuck in a bog and having to flag down some help. " Just like buses" he said " no one stopped then suddenly there were 4 guys to give me a hand. Thanks guys!". Steven Scott the Clubman Champ from 2002 was out on the course marshalling and hopes to get in to the races later this year.

There was also a Finnish rider here for his first Scottish race - No 11 Timo Hautamaki. Thought it was not too hard and looks forward to some of the later events.

The Over 40 class is maintaining it's reputation as a very competitive one with several new experts joining it for 2003. New boy Ian Patterson was looking fairly rapid and was pushing the other ELRAT member Andrew Flockart's yellow and black WR400.  A lot of talent there and an open race  at the start of the season. There are now more riders than points so every race will need to count.

In the Clubman class there is no favourite at the start of the season - but Richard McVicker and Duncan McCormick have both posted fast times over the last year and must be looking for a good result. Alan Lauder and Campbell Chatham are back in the fray after absences of several years. Both hoping to do well before joining the over 40 boys in a few years.

In the Sportsman class there were 2 lady riders - Pauline Hay and Doren Shaw. Doren had a bad start to the day when she discovered she only had one boot (" left in a hurry"). Gentleman Steven Scott stepped in so to speak and provided a spare. Who said chivalry was dead.

Several riders retired with breakdowns. Greig Walker suffering a snapped chain and getting a tow back. Richard Jones on his first outing riding a classic Suzuki SP 400 - remember those - retired with a tired machine.

The test was very technical with a mixture of tight motocross turns and some fast field work. Off camber turns were there to catch out the unwary and one area of muddy ruts caught out a few folk. Different to a flat field or a hilly forest it was a test that rewarded smooth commitment.

The Expert class was won by Richard Hay just in front of former trials riders Grant Smith and Crawford Carrick Anderson sharing second with Murray Thomson 2 seconds behind with the fastest test of the day.

Andrew Flockhart was consistently faster in the Over40 class beating newcomer Ian Ian Paterson and class act Dougal Walker. Last years champ Alex Kirk was next in 4th to keep himself in contention.

In the Clubman class Alan Lauder showed he has lost none of his speed with some very rapid times. Chris Stewart was also fast in a couple of test but not quite fast enough.  Richard McVicker retired when his mousse decided it was too hot to carry on - despite some encouraging words from a fellow Irishman.(At least I think they were words of encouragement)

The Sportsman had an "enjoyable" day out with some fairly fast test times showing up. Craig Gordon put up good test times getting faster on each lap to win by 30 secs from Stuart Macdonald. Pauline Hay finished on Silver beating half the class - good to have ladies back in the field again.

Thanks to all the officials for their help on the day and to the crews who manned the test on a long hot day.

Check below the results for photos