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© Bob Mullins   

Derek Little

Derek Little has secured a double championship win for the 2008 season. The 37-year-old Scot has won the British Enduro Championship (BEC) in the Expert E1 class and has taken the overall win in the Scottish Enduro Championship (SEC).

Little fought for both of the Championship titles right up to the final two rounds. At the last SEC he needed to finish in front of his nearest rival – Grant Smith – at Lumsden, where he rode his Dennis Irvine DEC KTM to finish second. In the BEC, Little was leading the Championship by six points going in to the final round. He then managed a superb result by winning the Expert Class on both days and claimed the championship title.

“My highlight of the year was riding at the Natterjack, which was the final round of the British Enduro Championship,” explained the two-time British Enduro Champion. “I last won the British Championship in 1992 after securing a good result at this event. I was mentally and physically up for the challenge. This reflected in my riding where I set some good times that also looked good against the championship riders. I was so pleased to win the Championship again… especially after 16 years!

“Winning the Scottish Enduro Championship was another great feeling,” said Little, who has now won the title an impressive five times. “My family were there supporting me and I could see my dad bursting with pride. That was a great moment.”

Although Little has secured two championship titles, it wasn’t without its ups and downs. Not every race has gone according to plan for the experienced rider. Even at the final SEC round, he wasn’t sure that he would get to the end of the race.

“On the last lap I had a big crash and mangled my bike. I also thought I might have hurt myself, either breaking some ribs or a collarbone, but fortunately I was only winded. I still thought that the Championship had slipped through my fingers.”

Little’s year of riding had been one to be proud of. The Scotsman has not only secured two national titles, he has also won the extreme Dawn to Dusk 12-hour race in south Wales with 16-year-old team-mate Frazer Norrie.

The off road riding Scot’s credentials include representing Britain in the off road motorcycling version of the Olympics – the International Six Day Enduro. Little has competed in the event 11 times, to include securing five silver medals and one bronze.

“This year has been a year of great riding,” said Little. “I hope that I can continue to achieve good results next year and hopefully take a Scottish team to compete in the 2009 International Six Day Enduro.”

Photo: Little on his way to success, aboard his Dennis Irvine DEC KTM.