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Daniel McCanney – talented youngster leads BESC Under 23 championship

One of the primary goals of the newly formed ACU British Enduro Sprint Championship is to provide a high profile platform from which to develop up-and-coming, young talent. Put simply, the BESC aims to make enduro racing simpler and less daunting for competitors from outside the sport, while giving seasoned enduro campaigners a competition driven series, one focused purely on special test racing.

After only four rounds of the ’10 BESC series one such motocross ‘convert’ is already beginning to rattle the established enduro elite by setting special test times that far out weigh his limited enduro experience. 18-year-old Manxman Daniel McCanney finds himself leading the points chase of the Under-23 championship and is unquestionable a rider with a very bright enduro future ahead of him. British Enduro Sprint Championship organisers GMC Events Ltd tracked him down after the series’ recent visit to Dorset to find out how the Gas Gas rider from the Isle of Man is enjoying competing in the BESC series

Firstly Daniel, as winner of the Under-23 E3 class at rounds three and four of the BESC series, as well as having topped the Under-23 class outright at round three, you must be extremely pleased with your continued success?

McCanney: ‘Thanks. Yeah, it was another really good weekend for me, one that’s kind of taken me by surprise again to be honest. I got on pretty well with the track straight away and was able to put in consistent test times early on. The motocross track really suited me - I felt comfortable on it. I also enjoyed riding the extreme sections as well. They were a change for me, riding something like that is something I’ve not really done before.’

So how did you find the extreme sections?

McCanney: ‘They were a bit daunting at first, when I walked the course. But the sighting lap helped me get a feel for it and took some of the nerves away. With eight timed laps during each day it gives you time to learn how to get over them best, but sometimes you just have to hit them fast and see what happens.’

How did you find the difference between the track at rounds three and four compared to the mainly cross-country based course used at the championship’s opening rounds?

McCanney: ‘I think this course at rounds three and four was probably harder for me, although the motocross tracks suited me well. With both motocross and trials type sections in each lap there was something to suit everyone, which helped to even out the pace. You had to be fast on all parts of the track to put in a fast time. I really enjoyed it. Both tracks were really good.’

Being a relative newcomer to enduro, what's your background and have your results in this championship encouraged you to try out a time card enduro?

McCanney: ‘I've grown up racing the schoolboy motocross scene both at home and in some British motocross championships. I've never raced in any time card events before and aside from the first four rounds of the BESC series I've just raced in one Hare and Hound event on the Isle of Man. But after the results I've got here it's definitely made me want to try out some enduros, so the plan is to try the next round of the British Enduro Championship (BEC) in Scotland.

Being mainly involved in motocross it may come as a surprise for some to see that you're not riding a four-stroke but instead a two-stroke Gas Gas 300. What's the reason for that?

McCanney: ‘Last year I was riding a Yamaha YZF 250 in motocross, but midway through the year I had a big crash that ended my season early, so I sold the bike. When I was fit enough to ride again I bought a second hand Gas Gas from a friend of mine and just started riding that. The power seems to suit me though and I like the way it handles through the trees. It's different to what I'd been used to riding but I'm enjoying it, it’s a great bike.’

That’s clearly showing in your results. With only two rounds of the ’10 BESC championship remaining you're in the driving seat to win the Under-23 title in what’s a seriously competitive class. What's your plan entering the final rounds?

McCanney: ‘I'm not sure really. It's a really tough class, so hopefully I can just stay consistent and try to take it one test at a time. If I can do that I'll have given it my best shot and if winning the championship comes with it, that's more than I could have hoped for. If the course for the final rounds is as good as the ones we’ve had so far it’ll be another great event, I’m really looking forward to it.’