The 2013 ACU British Enduro Championship is due to trek to the extreme north region of Moray in Scotland over the weekend of March 30-31 for the opening event of the UK’s premier enduro championship.
With reigning British champion David Knight committed to the world championship and not contesting all rounds it’s almost certain a new British Enduro Champion will be crowned.
However, the Championship may have a difficult start this season due to the terrible British Spring weather. With many events cancelled over the last few weeks – including the Maxxis British Motocross Championship round at Canada Heights – it’s not been the best start to the season for British off-road fans.
Attention this week turns to Scotland and the British Enduro Championship. The National media have given a lot of coverage to the atrocious weather in the North but we all hoped that the conditions wouldn’t ruin another weekend’s racing. The organisers are of course concerned and like many event organisers over the past week are in a very difficult position.
“As I’m sure most are aware we are currently watching the weather with trepidation as to what it has in store,” says club secretary Barry Hamilton. “At the moment the biggest threat appears to be forecast for Tuesday night/Wednesday morning mainly affecting the Lake District, North Yorkshire and the Midlands. I am also waiting for a call at some point today from Grampian police to advise us of their feelings regards competitors travelling.
“We understand it is not ideal for everyone but we hope the majority and will support us, as such we will have to make a decision on whether or not we can run the event on Wednesday morning – it will not be any later than midday.
“All is in order here with the course in great condition and the weather has been fine compared to scenes elsewhere so we do very much hope to welcome you all this coming Thursday/Friday.
“I hope this also clears up any rumours that are flying around social network sites and elsewhere already saying that this event is cancelled.”
There will be another update Wednesday morning and we’ll bring you the news as soon as we get it here at DBR.
The six-round 11 race series will travel to Wales, Yorkshire, East Anglia and the South East before a new champion is crowned at the final round in Norfolk in November.
Last year’s vice-champion (and outright champion in 2007 and ’08) Tom Sagar is expected to lead the charge on his KTM 450 but Britain’s rising youth talent is expected to keep him on his toes. Brothers Danny McCanney (Gas Gas) and Jamie McCanney (Husaberg) – both fresh from wins and podium finishes in the opening Enduro World Championship rounds – are on top form as is emerging extreme star Jonny Walker.
Equally, Sagar can expect to feel the heat from established stars like former European champion Daryl Bolter and ex national motocrossers Jordan Rose (TM) and Jamie Lewis (HM Moto). With 25 riders in the elite ‘championship’ class Sagar will – as always is the case in British enduro – have his work cut out.
2012 ACU British Enduro Champions
Outright Champion: David Knight KTM 500EXC
E1 (two-stroke) Champion: Jamie McCanney Husaberg TE125
E1 (four-stroke) Champion: Jack Rowland Husqvarna TE250
E2 Champion: Tom Sagar HM Moto CRE-F450
E3 Champion: David Knight KTM 500EXC
Expert Champion: Steve Holcombe KTM 250EXC
Clubman Champion: Aled Price KTM 250EXC
Veterans Champion: Richard Hay KTM 144EXC
2013 ACU British Enduro Championship
Round 1: March 30-31 Elgin, Scotland
Round 2: May 4-5 Helmsley, North Yorks
Round 3: July 13-14 Knighton, Mid Wales
Round 4: August 17-18 Abbeycwmhir, Mid Wales
Round 5: September 14-15 Natterjack, Hampshire
Round 6: November 24 Diss, Norfolk
