The ACU British Timecard Enduro Championship returned to action in the Isle of Man over the weekend. The Manxduro proved to be an enjoyable but challenging event, with the club setting out a 30-mile lap weaving its way through the local forests and moorland near the clubs excellent base at Carnagrie. With the continued glorious sunshine over the weekend and course conditions very dry, the enduro proved to be a very well organised event by the hard working and experienced Southern Motorcycle Club. DAY 1
The day started at 9am with riders heading off from the TT Grandstand making the trip to test 1 at Carnagrie via some of the famous TT route. This was a slick grass moorland test that weaved its way around the natural banked fields, plus a few extreme hazards and an uphill jump which is always a crowd favourite. Taking the lead on the 1st test was series leader Danny McCanney, six seconds up on Jack Edmondson and a further 2 seconds ahead of Joe Wootton. From here riders
headed over to the long enduro test which was a mix of grass hillside fields but mainly technical and fast flowing forest tracks. Danny McCanney took another test win gaining another 20 seconds on Edmondson, who in turn was 5 seconds ahead of Tom Sagar. Test 3 saw Edmondson take the win, but from then on McCanney was simply unbeatable and won the remaining 6 tests and took the days win by just over a minute. Jack Edmondson was delighted with his 2
nd place performance beating Tom Sagar by 31 seconds, with Wootton just missing out on a podium place a further 1 second behind. Welsh 2 Day winner Alex Snow carried on his good form taking 5
th, whilst Dan Mundell fresh from his recent runner up spot in the Italian World Enduro championship round off the top 6.
Luke Flack topped off a brilliant days riding by taking the Expert class win beating the impressive Aaron Gordon by 20 seconds. Max Ditchfield put in another consistent display taking 3
rd, just ahead of Ricky Wiggins, whilst local Isle of Man rider Max Ingham put his motocross skills to good use to finish in an impressive 5
th.
In the biggest class of the day, youngster Harry Houghton took a well deserved Clubman overall win from youngster Lewis Ranger. Third saw Jake Purcell put in a strong performance just holding off Josh Kirkby in 4
th by 7 seconds
The ladies class saw a commanding display by Rosie Rowett beating rival Nieve Holmes by just over a minute, taking up the final podium spot was Chloe Richards bringing home a fine third.
Local ace Juan Knight was the man on form in the Over 40’s, series leader Andrew Edwards had to settle for runner up this time and Andrew Reeves finishing a very creditable 3
rd place.
Paul “Elvis” Davies was back to his winning ways taking the glory in the Over 50’s class, Julian Oakes only 20 seconds behind Elvis was 2
nd and Jason Rees 3
rd.
Ollie Harcombe took top honours in the Sportsman class ahead of Simon Walker and Ross Morrison.
Day 2
With another day of glorious weather promised, it was set up to be another great day of action in all classes. After completing 2 laps and 5 special tests Manxman Danny McCanney proved too hot to handle yet again. McCanney put in a commanding display and by the end of the day McCanney had just over half a minute in hand over runner-up Jack Edmondson, with Joe Wootton back to his best in 3
rd trailing Edmondson by just 2 seconds. Alex Snow improved on hid day 1 result by finishing 4
th whilst Sagar suffering from a sore wrist took 5
th Dan Mundell finished off his weekend with another strong 6
th place finish.
In the hotly contested Expert class it was Aaron Gordon who took the well deserved win beating Luke Flack by 9 seconds. Another great performance saw Max Ditchfield take 3
rdplace from Richard Tucker in 4
th. Youngster Henry Yardley has his best BEC result this year in 5
th, while Ricky Wiggins had to settle for 6
th.
Another strong performance by Harry Houghton saw him snatch the Clubman class win by 34 seconds from star of the future Tom Knight. Lewis Ranger was a further 10 seconds down on Knight, while Jake Purcell put in another good display finishing 4
th.
In the Ladies class Rosie Rowett took the maximum points again with Nieve Holmes finishing 2
nd.
Juan Knight is again the man to beat in the ultra competitive Over 40’s class taking another win, beating off nearest rival Andrew Edwards. Rudy Austin and Jonathan Tarr were next up taking a well respectable 3 and 4
th places.
In the Over 50’s Julian Oakes put in a sterling shift taking class win over Paul Davies. The battle for 3
rd saw Jason Rees pip Paul Spurgeon.
A repeat of day 1 saw Ollie Harcombe, Simon Walker & Ross Morrison take 1, 2 and 3 in the Sportsman class.
All in all it was a superb event put on by Southern Motorcycle Club, a round well worthy of its BEC status. Photos: Gemma James