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ACU BEC sets sail for rounds 3 and 4
Preview Nicky Morson

On 6th and 7th August the BEC road train sets sail for the world famous Isle of Man, The Ellan Vannin Fuels / Mini Mix Concrete sponsored Manxduro will host rounds 3 and 4 of the 2016 ACU British Enduro Championship and it promises to be one not to miss!

With the start/finish area located at the TT grandstand, riders will be setting off and finishing from the TT pit lane. The Clerk of the Course Nigel Beaumount has planned a course that uses a 5 mile road section to exit the town of Douglas where it will pick up a 25 mile lap consisting of plantations, a quarry and open off-road going. The lap will see two special tests, test one will be located in the plantation on day one then moved to another location for day 2. Test two for both days will be a cross-country type test around the clubs own land. Both special tests will be easily accessible for spectators and support crews with no more than 5 miles between the tests when travelling directly on the open roads.

The excellent facilities provided by the amazing backdrop of the TT Grandstand offers camping with plenty of hard standing, fixed toilets and showers. The Grandstand located on the outskirts of the Manx capital, Douglas, is a 30 minute walk in to the town centre where the competitors and support crews can expect to find all the facilities provided by a large town on the mainland.

Machine examination will take place on Friday evening in the purpose built TT scrutineering bays with all machines then being submitted to a Parc Ferme. Catering will be available throughout the event with complimentary food at signing on and for competitors on completion of day 2. Breakfast baps will be available for purchase every morning and pulled pork baps on the Saturday evening.

There is a full line up of the UK's top enduro competitors, which promises to provide some very close off road competition on the challenging Island terrain. They include Factory Beta rider Steve Holcombe, winner of Round 1 and 2 at Helmsley and fresh from his double Enduro GP win in Sweden, who had this to say,

"I'm excited to be heading to a new venue for rounds 3&4 of the ACU British Enduro Championship. I've been to the Isle Man before for an event and on a separate occasion for some practicing. The terrain over there and the scope of trails is awesome so it looks to be set for a great event! With the likes of Danny and David on home turf it's not going to be a walk in the park. The goal for the event is the same as any event, that's to win!"

Also battling it out on the front line will be Enduro legend David Knight, this is what he had to say about the next event being held on his home ground.

"I'm looking forward to the Manx round of the ACU BEC. After all my success in World and British championship Enduros over the past 18 years, I've never had the chance to ride in a big event at home. Although it's in the south of the island (like the other side of the world) I can sleep in my own bed and drive to the start at the world famous TT grandstand which will make a nice change. I don't know much about where they are running the tests as I'm not sure it's 100% decided but a nice Manx forest is my favourite place to ride a bike so hopefully we will have one or two of them. I'll be riding a 450 Honda for Honda Racing UK and hopefully it'll be a good event and as always I'll be trying my hardest to try and keep these young buggers behind me."

Entries are filling up fast with only 40 places remaining! Online Entries are open at www.southernmcc.com/manxduro