enduro news
© Bob Mullins   

Turkey

Turkish Enduro Scene

There had never been a time card enduro held in Turkey until September 2010 and yes it was a round of the Enduro World Championship, the one in which Knighter won his E3 World Enduro Championship title. What a way to start! You would be amazed at the rapid pace in which the enduro scene has increased in popularity. The Kemer club put on a sea to sky hard enduro rally not long after the EWC and it looks as if it will become an annual event and there is a Turkish enduro championship now, of which the third round was held in Bodrum on 24th April 2011.

Keen members of the Fethiye Orman (forestry) Off Road club arrived in Bodrum on the Friday before the racing on Sunday. There was disappointment by all, as it was discovered even the basic criteria had not been met by the club holding the event. The paddock had no facilities, no toilets, no food and no water or drinks available. The nearest garage or market was several kilometres away. There was not even a secure area to leave the bikes. Most of the visiting riders were staying in a hotel in central Bodrum about 10 kilometres away, so each evening after preparations the bikes and tents had to be packed up and your place in the paddock set up each morning. That didn’t dampen the spirits of the riders.

Their star member is Serkan Ozdemir, the Turkish champion, riding on No. 48. It was important for Serkan to win this round and to help him, Chris Pascoe from Taurus Trax was his outrider and technical back up.

The start saw Serkan as the first to leave. This was not necessarily an advantage, as there had been several complaints of the track not being marked clearly. The course had been marked in orange for the guys and pink for the girls, (Yes, very condescending). With tinted goggles, it was difficult to differentiate between the two.

The extreme test was not as extreme as it could have been. Some of the riders found the liaison stages far more difficult. There is so much natural extreme area that can be used here, yet the clubs always set artificial courses to make it easily accessible for the spectators.

The event was a success for Serkan. Good times in the enduro test ensured the win he wanted. The prize giving saw him collect two trophies, overall first and E3 first. He called upon Chris, his outrider to join him on the podium in recognition of his efforts.

Looking at the enduro scene as a whole there has been what I would call a massive leap, especially in the female interest. The yashmak and head scarf have been hung up for crash helmet and goggles, baggy pants and plastic slippers exchanged for the latest designs in off road clothing and motor cycle boots.

The women have their own championship here now. Admittedly there are only three main contenders, but it’s a start. Its great to see women in the paddock area preparing their bikes and even more women in the crowds spectating.AND! Here she is, Beauty and the beast, one of the top women riders, Yasemi, riding on something else that’s new in Turkey, Gas Gas. Looking more like a model than an enduro rider in front of the cameras, she takes it in her stride as the the Turkish media take great interest in her.

What else is new? Only 6 months ago the only colour in the paddock was the orange of KTM. Now there is Husaberg, Sherco, and Gas Gas.

There is still much to learn by the clubs when it comes to organising an enduro event. Fethiye are leading the way and June this year will see them run another round in the world enduro championship. Together Chris and Serkan are making the course and there has been great excitement as they have made the extreme test a natural one this year..