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enduro
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Southern MCC - Isle of Man |
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 Manx
Two-Day Enduro 7 & 8 July Sponsored by Mini Mix Concrete
SMCC Getting the Mix right for a Champion Event! 47 Riders responded to the invitation to ride on the World Champion's home turf. But did they find what they expected? In short, YES! 2 Days, 4 different special tests, tracks, green lanes, plantations, a quarry, hills and trees galore! Day One - South Having collected their bikes from the overnight perc ferme, the riders headed south on the tracks to South Barrule. The first check saw riders taking some of the very best tracks on the island at Ballacuberagh, Mannin's Chair, Starvy, Cornelly Mines and onto Rhen Shent. First test of the day was at Stoney Mountain. The route moved on to Rushen Mines and up the club's own land at Carngrie for the second test. The loop took them back through Slieu Whallian track back round to test 1. After completing their set number of laps, the route then took riders home over the green lanes to Ramsey before retiring at the end of the day with bikes safely tucked away for the night in the perc ferme. Provisional results showed that 4 riders were seconds apart on each test. Former British Enduro Champion Juan Knight taking the first days win. Current WEC competitor Euan McConnell in second, and current Isle of Man Enduro champion Ben Begbie in third. Clubman class saw many riders loose time with the difficult terrain after weeks of rain. The route was cut down with some riders turned back to Ramsey early. Sportsman class had a more relaxed schedule, but still some riders did loose time and several houring out. For many it was a steep learning curve ! Day Two - North A slightly reduced field left Ramsey to head over the same route to Sulby. Taking in their sighting lap of the tests, they looped through Ohio, Ballaugh and Tholt Y Will plantations. Two different tests saw riders test themselves against the clock and the terrain with a plantation test and a motorcross test over open hill land. Sunday was better days riding with the weather drying out the course. The majority of riders stayed clean on time. The times in the tests remained consistent, with Euan McConnell taking the days honours and with the combined times, winning the event. Juan Knight narrowly missing out to finish second. McConnell wins Manx Two Day Enduro – 9 July Usually Euan McConnell visits the Isle of Man to endure a practice session with fellow enduro rider David Knight, but this time it was to race against David’s older brother - Juan - at the Manx Two Day Enduro. After arriving on the IOM late on Friday night, McConnell unloaded his TM race bike from his van ready for the start of a hard weekend. Not only was it new territory as he had never raced at this event before, but his competition was arguably one of the best riders in the UK – Juan Knight. Day one started from the seafront across the road from Ramsey Rugby Club and headed down the south of the island where the riders raced around two difficult special tests – one through the trees and the other on an open field. Knight was the better rider on the day, finishing four seconds ahead of McConnell. On the second day the organisers – Southern Motorcycle Club – arranged two different challenging special tests in the north of the island for the competitors. McConnell’s good form saw him finish an impressive 55 seconds ahead of Knight. McConnell also secured the overall win of the Manx Two Day Enduro. “I had a brilliant weekend,” said the Scot. “Apart from the good weather and great location, the club organised a fantastic event. Everything ran smoothly and the special tests were good to ride. I even thought they were better than some of the British and world enduro tests I’ve ridden. I’d love to come back and do it again.” More information and pix available from www.euanmcconnell.com Results Overall Winner: Euan McConnell Second:Juan Knight Third: Ben Begbie Clubman Winner: Clive Town Second: Richard Walters Third: Mark Crellin Sportsman Winner - Robbie Turner Second - Robert Quayle Third - Carl Banks Full results & gallery available online at www.southernmcc.com
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