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SACU 2004 Championship ENDURO

Round 2 - Melville MC Pathhead Enduro Day 1 -Permit No 04 023

17th April 2004

The First 2 day event in Scotland since the British and World rounds of the late 1990's - this was a bold gamble by the Melville club. Run over two adjacent farms it was similar to the 2003 event but lengthened and with lots of new terrain.

The day started in bright sunshine to everyones delight and stayed warm for the event - with only minor rain to keep the dust down. This meant the course stayed dry although plenty of riders found the muddy bits ( no real bogs this year). Starting with a sharp uphill snap and some tight work in the trees it was soon out on to the open fields and tracks. A fast pace could be kept up - but everyone was looking out for "Little's Rock". This year Nicky Beavitt found it and was launched over the handlebars . Luckily he walked away from it - but went back to give it a good kick!. Then it was through the first test - an MX test - part of last years course on the side of a burn with some switchback riding. No Problemo today. Crawford Carrick-Anderson snapped a chain in the test which put paid to his day - but he still put in some very fast times to make sure everyone knows he is serious this year.

One rider - who shall remain nameless ( his cheque cleared !) even liked the test so much he did it twice on the first lap .

After that it was across the ploughed field again - avoiding riders coming the other way and then across the dreaded ARMCO bridge. Not a favourite part of the course with even the top experts getting it wrong and piling up on the other bank.  Then the long whooped ride by the road and into the 2nd test. A soft mossy ride through the trees with some deep ruts developing by the end of the day. Out to the road where riders pushed their bikes across into a wood . This was very tight but good fun but very tiring. Then back out across the road and into trees before the steep drop to the railway line near the pits . Home ... nope ! Still some tree work and some downhills before arriving back at the pits on time.

Times were just about right - slightly slack as this was the first day of a two day event and the organisers didn't want to push the riders too hard.

A great course and one that obviously took a lot of work and effort to set up. The Melville club excelled at this one - should be even better next year !

There were a lot of riders form the North of England here - and they seemed to enjoy themselves. At least they will be back for the Selkirk 2 day as well. No 7 Rob Poulton ( 2 X ISDE Silver medallist) was up for a blast on the Saturday but didn't manage to start Sunday. 

In the Experts class Richard Hay won just ahead of Grant Smith and Murray Thomson   . Ricky Mair came in in sixth - but had a badly damaged hand and would not start day two. A full field and one of the biggest Expert classes for some time means that this is turning in to a very competitive season that will go all the way to the last event.

Over 40 champion Andy Flockhart took the lead in all the tests and was only beaten on one test by runner up Ian Patterson.  Dougal Walker continues to threaten and awaits any mistakes to take the lead - always a very consistent rider. Previous over 40 champ Alex Kirk brought up 4th place.

Craig Jagla managed one place better this time to win the clubman class - which he shared with Paul Scott. No way to separate them after 3 1/2 hours of racing. Michael Scott brought up 3rd place with Scott Maxwell in 4th and improving all the time.

Allyn Scotland won the Sportsman class - continuing his winning streak after Lossie. Thomas Melrose was 2nd with Grant Miller closely following in 3rd. Alex Hood on his big 650 XR ( not the ideal enduro tool for Scotland) claimed a silver - still on a high after his good showing in the recent True Grit races. And it was good to see George McGowan back to racing after his illness - not fully fit but enjoying himself anyway!

Overall a great event and credit must go to Kenny Donaldson and his team for all the hard work put in over the past few months.

Final  Results  (10th May 2004)

Last Updated on 10/05/04
By cwm

Photos from Sonny Constance , Stuart Clachan and Jose's wee brother ( name please ?)

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