’09 British Enduro Championship – round 4: Natterjack Enduro,

26-27.9.2009
Strong end to ’09 BEC series for Wakely and Bird


The MPS Racing Husqvarna team brought their participation in the ’09 British Enduro Championship to a close at this weekend’s Natterjack Enduro where for the first time this year both team riders Si Wakely and Aston Bird were entered into the Enduro 2 class.

On day one it was Wakely who delivered the team’s best result finishing in sixth overall and as the fourth placed Enduro 2 class rider. Having disappointingly been forced to miss the Dyfi Enduro due to sickness, Si was determined to bring his championship to a positive close, despite strong competition at the head of the Championship class. On the pace from the start of the day Si lost time on his rivals on the enduro test, which started with an extremely steep 90 degree climb ‘up and over’ a wall. Despite setting consistently fast times on the motocross tests the time lost on the enduro test prevented him from finishing higher.

Just two positions behind Si in the overall results was Aston Bird. Clearly at home competing on Enduro 2 class machinery, Aston won the day’s first motocross test and continued to perform well around the sandy test throughout the day. Like team-mate Wakely, Aston found the enduro test a little harder to master. Despite the event being Aston’s first in the E2 class he ended the opening day’s competition in a creditable eighth overall.

Encouraged by his day one result Aston carried his good form into day two and placed a creditable fifth overall, narrowly missing the third place position in the competitive Enduro 2 class. Performing better on the enduro test than he had on day one, as well as continuing to set great times on the motocross test, Aston ended the ’09 BEC series with his best result of the year. One place behind Aston in sixth overall was Si Wakely who remained largely mistake free throughout the day. Although hoping for a top three result Si’s performances at the Natterjack helped to put his Dyfi disappointments behind him.

Si will now compete as a member of the British Trophy Team at the International Six Days Enduro in Portugal, which starts on October 12.

Si Wakely: “It’s been a bit of a mixed weekend for me. I felt like I was riding well but too many little mistakes, especially on the enduro test, stopped me from getting better results. It’s amazing how dry the special tests were. The enduro test was like something you’d find abroad. I guess that like myself a lot of riders were all trying to end the British championship with strong results, which meant that competition was really tough. But I’ve enjoyed it. The whole season has been pretty good for me. I had a great start at the Muntjac, but it was disappointing that I was ill at the Dyfi and was unable to compete. I’ve enjoyed my year and know that there’s better to come.”

Aston Bird: “Riding the 450 for the last round of the British championship was definitely the right decision. I’ve been performing well on it in cross-country and motocross races, but then racing a 250f in the BEC. I’m a big rider so the 450 definitely suits me better, as I’ve shown this weekend. The thing that held me back this weekend was the enduro test. I felt good on the motocross test, top three every lap on both days, but I still need to figure out the slower, tricky stuff on the enduro tests. Both days went really well. I didn’t have any problems during the weekend, and my bike was great. I’m really pleased to have finally put in a solid result.”

Results - BEC ’09 Rnd 4, day 1 (overall)

1. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 2798.2; 2. Paul Edmondson (Suzuki) 2841.48; 3. Phillip McLaughlin (TM) 2807.02; 4. Daryl Bolter (KTM) 2885.39; 5. Tom Sagar (Husaberg) 2886.54; 6. Si Wakely (MPS Racing Husqvarna) 2916.42; 7. Greg Evans (KTM) 2929.46; 8. Aston Bird (MPS Racing Husqvarna) 2932.1; 9. Edward Jones (KTM) 2962.91; 10. Ashley Wood (Gas Gas) 3009.78;

Results - BEC ’09 Rnd 4, day 2 (overall)

1. David Knight (Kawasaki) 2037.33; 2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 2086.8; 3. Paul Edmondson (Suzuki) 2143.92; 4. Tom Sagar (Husaberg) 2154.39; 5. Aston Bird (MPS Racing Husqvarna) 2157.31; 6. Si Wakely (MPS Racing Husqvarna) 2176.01; 7. Greg Evans (KTM) 2184.14; 8. Ollie Moyce (Husaberg) 2221.79; 9. Ed Jones (KTM) 2229.81; 10. Lee Edmondson (Honda) 2246.11;

’09 British Enduro Championship – round 2:
Knighton Enduro,

Knighton, Mid Wales, 11-12.7.2009

Mixed fortunes for Wakely at Knighton Enduro

MPS Racing Husqvarna’s Si Wakely had a ‘good and not so good’ weekend at the second round of the ’09 British Enduro Championship, the Central Wales Auto Club organised Knighton Enduro. The rider to beat on the majority of the opening day’s seven special tests, Si battled with former world champion Paul Edmondson but was denied victory following a fall on the penultimate motocross test. On day two the TE 450 mounted rider made several small mistakes, which prevented him from finishing higher than seventh overall on the day.

Throughout the opening day’s competition there was little to separate Wakely from eventual Enduro 2 and overall day winner Paul Edmondson. Topping the event’s opening test Wakely took the upper hand and carried his good form into the second test, which he also won. Recording a time that was equal to that of Edmondson’s on the third test Wakely remained at the head of the results after the fourth test, but saw his hopes of claiming the overall win slip from his grasp when he fell on the fifth timed special test. With mistakes easy to make Si’s front wheel washed out from underneath him, sending him sliding down the special test on his back. Quickly back on his bike Si’s mistake cost him around 15 seconds.

Determined to keep his chances of victory alive Si continued to give his all and posted the fastest overall times on the penultimate and final special tests. Frustratingly, he wasn’t quite able to stop Edmondson claiming victory. Just six seconds adrift of the top spot at the end of a demanding day, Si finished second overall, second in the Enduro 2 class, and ahead of David Knight who placed third.

Hoping to improve on his day one result things simply didn’t go Wakely’s way on day two as after a good performance on the opening special test he made two costly errors, which dropped him down the results. Losing 20 seconds to eventual day two winner David Knight on the opening enduro test Si was back on the pace on the second motocross test but a second crash on the final enduro test saw him drop close to 40 seconds, ending his hopes of a second good result. Nevertheless Si posted the second fastest time on the final motocross test, but placed fifth in the Enduro 2 class.

Si Wakely: “The first day went really well apart from one big crash on the motocross test. It was so slippery in places it was like the test was covered in patches of black ice. One minute I was upright, the next I was on my head. Paul and I were having a really good battle. When you’re pushing 100 per cent on grass it’s easy to fall. But I felt really good all day, my bike was working really well, so I’m pleased with second. The second day didn’t go well for me. I had to change my exhaust after the first day and I struggled to find grip after that. I was pushing hard but I just wasn’t able to ride like I did on day one. I really went for it on the final enduro test, but I had a big crash. It’s been a good and bad weekend, but it’s been a really enjoyable event.”

Results - BEC ’09 Rnd
2, day 1 (overall)

1. Paul Edmondson (Suzuki) 2257.84;

2. Si Wakely (MPS
Racing Husqvarna) 2263.87;

3. David Knight (Kawasaki) 2298.03;

4. Greg Evans (KTM) 2301.01;

5. Philip McLaughlin (TM) 2312.31;

Results - BEC ’09 Rnd
2, day 2 (overall)

1. David Knight (Kawasaki) 1622.76;

2. Paul Edmondson (Suzuki) 1631.66;

3. Greg Evans (KTM) 1640.07;

4. Edward Jones (KTM) 1647.37;

5. Philip McLaughlin (TM) 1680.89;

7. Si Wakely (MPS
Racing Husqvarna) 1696.43;

Another good weekend for MPS HUSQVARNA Enduro Team, with a fine second overall and second in class for SIMON WAKELY on the TE450ie.

Simon had a spirited ride after his disappointment of being robbed of the Welsh 2 Day win by the weather the week before. Showing his usual smooth but determined style he came from a mid pack start to be third after a couple of laps and then finally second behind David Knight, arguably the fastest Hare & Hounds rider in the world today.

Aston Bird returned to GBXC with better luck than round 4 and ended up 3rd in the Pro-Lite class (TE250ie) and we think 5th overall at this round. A good ride on the demanding Welsh venue which was heavily forested.

Bad luck for Gavin Houson (WR125) who fell on lap 1 and again dislocated his shoulder. Gavin is continuously troubled by this injury at present, despite surgery to correct the weakness.

Many thanks to all supporters & Team staff.

Note: Race Length 2.5 hours Weather 20 degrees C Intermittent light showers.

We look forward now to the next British Championship 2 Day Enduro, again in Knighton, Wales July 11/12 th. Good luck to all HUSQVARNA riders.

Due to the costs of travelling half way around the world we have decided not to go to Mexico

<strong>MPS HUSQVARNA GO DUTCH</strong>

MPS HUSQVARNA are now running Reiger rear suspension on all their Huskys they will also be selling and servicing the Dutch built suspension, the Reiger shocks are unique in that they have a built in thermostat to ensure damping stays the same and is not effected by oil temp they also have an ICS(intelligent compression system) valve which controls the big hits and also a RCV (rebound control valve ) which controls rebound when the wheel leaves the ground ,Reiger are more well known in the WRC world suspending the Ford focus and Subaru team cars plus supplying  most of the Dakar teams they are a small professional team who will build shocks in house for almost anything from your 1960s twin shock to the very latest enduro/mx bike with each shock built specially for the customers weight and ability

We are also selling and using the Dutch Super B batteries ½ the size and 1/3 of the weight of STD

And finally we have received support directly from another Dutch company Twin air filters who will be supplying us with filters for the rest of the season
 
Further info from Mick at mpsracing@googlemail.com