Elite class riders Tom Sagar and Greg Evans gear up for a last round showdown as the Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship makes its final stop of 2011 at the Berwyn Leisure Park, Oswestry.
The series has almost come full circle as the series’ final weekend of racing fast approaches, taking the 10-round tour back to Wales where it all began in early February. From the wet, Welsh trails of the opening round at Saints Well the series now draws to a close in spectacular fashion at Berwyn Leisure Park near Oswestry.
With eight rounds completed and now just two remaining, the fight to be crowned champion in the prestigious Elite class has been whittled down to just a two-horse race. In command of the points lead is Fast Eddy Racing’s Tom Sagar who, when the points are added up, holds a slender seven-point advantage over KORR Racing’s Greg Evans. But with 40 points up for grabs nothing is certain just yet. For Evans to walk away with the #1 plate his task is simple – he must win both days and hope that good fortune goes his way. A double win is his only option and if he can do that the championship can be his.
For Tom however his goals are less demanding. If Greg wins he must follow him home in second both days. By doing so one solitary point will divide the two in Tom’s favour.
David Knight maybe sidelined through injury but with five wins to his credit he still has a shot at stealing third. The only rider capable of preventing a KTM clean sweep of the top three places in the Elite class is Midwest Husaberg’s Si Wakely. Yet to post a top two score that will be needed to topple Knight, Wakely’s return to form this year has nevertheless been impressive. Twice third at rounds seven and eight in Adstone, a brace of second places may see him collect his first piece of BSEC championship silverware and become the spoiler of the KTM party.
In the Under 23 class the standings have already been settled with Gas Gas UK’s Danny McCanney wrapping up the championship last time out at Adstone. Having almost racked up a perfect scorecard, McCanney’s form this season has been nothing short of stunning. A costly fall in the final test at round eight dropped him down to second on the day but with the championship now in the bag and the pressure off he’ll be looking to resume his winning ways.
Having played second fiddle to McCanney for the last three rounds, Midwest Husaberg’s Alex Rockwell finally got the better of his Manx neighbour breaking through for his debut win of the season. With a victory now under his belt and only two opportunities left for more, Alex will be fired up to do it again.
Jonny Walker is next in line sitting third overall in the championship chase. Fresh off his superb third place finish at the extreme Erzberg Rodeo in Austria, Walker is clearly masterful of any terrain and with his confidence at an all time high will enter rounds nine and 10 keen to match the pace of the Manx duo out front. Chasing them home and ready to take advantage of any mistakes will be the hard charging Ashley Wood, Stuart Edmonds, Matt Moffat, Lewis Belfield and Neil Chatham.
The Aussie export of Ben Burrell has all but one hand on the Under 19 championship. With the most consistent scorecard of all his near rivals, Burrell has never failed once to finish outside the top two, earning him a five-point cushion over next in-line Jamie McCanney. A win on Saturday will almost certainly see him claim the title with one round to spare.
McCanney sits in second but is still within shot of top honours. If he can match his own outright speed with Burrell’s consistency, the tables may well turn in his favour. But in a class as competitive as the Under 19s anything is possible and if one thing’s for certain there will be plenty of spoilers in the mix. Steve Holcombe, Jordan Scott, Joe Jones and Jack Rowland are all easily capable of shaking things up.
The Expert class is anything but decided and entering the final two rounds three riders could come away as champion. Leading the way by the narrowest of margins is veteran Wyn Hughes. The Husqvarna mounted Welshman has returned to competitive action this year with a bang and leads the way with a three-point advantage over Tyson Maytom-Jones in second with Oliver Hart just another five points adrift. On paper it would seem Tyson has the advantage having gathered the most victories but it’s his inconsistency that has let him down. Hughes remains the most consistent of the trio and if he can call upon his wealth of experience to claim the championship it will cap a fantastic return to racing.
Venue: Rounds nine and 10 of the Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship take the series to the exciting venue of Berwyn Leisure Park which will provide enjoyable racing for competitors while again offering great viewing for spectators. The course comprises farmland, a motocross track and a newly built man-made ‘extreme’ section.
Directions: The start area will be sign-posted off the D4500 at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog. Approx 30 minutes west of Oswestry. Postcode: LL20 7LH
Entry Fee: Adults £7.50, includes complimentary event programme. Under 14-year-olds free.
General Info: Racing starts at 9.00am both days. Catering and toilet facilities will be available on site. Mid-day autograph sessions.
