We done and thank you to everybody who made this event such a superb day out, and well done to our boys for putting on such a good show against strong competition!
Statement from Pete Carter - co-ordinator of the 2008 AMCA British Hare and Hound Enduro Championship...
"2008 saw the inaugural running of the AMCA’s British Hare and Hound Enduro Championship
Four rounds were run by the four AMCA Enduro Clubs namely
Cotswold Enduro Club, Chiltern Hills Enduro Club, Xmoor Enduro Club and lastly Southern Counties Enduro Club.
The series main aim and hopes were to initially keep it low key and to make up the majority of the entries through the four clubs membership bases and not attract too many one off pothunters
This was for the most part achieved and although entries at most of the rounds were slightly disappointing. The series most felt was a success and can be built on for 2009 with hopefully some major support from both the trade and industry within motorcycle sport
The possibility of up to eight rounds to be run with a bit more glitz and glamour but without sacrificing the main aim of running good old fashioned Hare & Hound events for all abilities.
A massive thanks to all the clubs for taking the series on which was a gamble for all in many ways but I’m sure all feel was well worth it. All the clubs were put under massive pressures not in the normal way but by the good old British weather
The first round run by the Cotswold Enduro Club saw superb conditions on the Saturday and then overnight and all day Sunday we had heavy rain which turned the Shuckburgh Hall track into a monster and a true extreme challenge
Next up wash Chiltern Hills Enduro Club at the superb Lane End track
Again good conditions on the Saturday and then an unbelievable sight of 6” of snow on the Sunday with many riders not being able to get anywhere near the event – the club had no choice but to cancel and reschedule. At the re scheduled event Saturday again was set fair and on race day more rain but the event ran and was also very tough for most
Then round three staged by Xmoor Enduro Club at the superb Rifton Barton venue. To add to the again rainy conditions the riders had the added challenge of using trials tyres on the rear making grip and braking a character building exercise in its self. This alone made the event extreme for some
Last but not least saw the vastly experience set up of Gary Warr's Southern Counties Enduro Club running the fourth and final round at their Milton Abbas venue a good mixture of woodland, open going and even several by now very deep river crossings added to by yet again torrential over night rain. This left many a rider thinking there was no way the event would run, but with Gary's choice of venue and track design to match the event and organisation was spot on with the track even getting better as the race went on.
The car park was for some more of a challenge but no tractors were needed just a few 4X4’s and a little camaraderie saw everyone leave the venue with no dramas
So in short a tough series for both riders and clubs but a great success that can only get bigger and better and will develop into a true British Championship
A massive thanks to the AMCA for fully backing this series not only financially and in trophies etc. but in the user friendly way they assist clubs in all ways
Yours in sport
Pete Carter"
Four rounds were run by the four AMCA Enduro Clubs namely
Cotswold Enduro Club, Chiltern Hills Enduro Club, Xmoor Enduro Club and lastly Southern Counties Enduro Club.
The series main aim and hopes were to initially keep it low key and to make up the majority of the entries through the four clubs membership bases and not attract too many one off pothunters
This was for the most part achieved and although entries at most of the rounds were slightly disappointing. The series most felt was a success and can be built on for 2009 with hopefully some major support from both the trade and industry within motorcycle sport
The possibility of up to eight rounds to be run with a bit more glitz and glamour but without sacrificing the main aim of running good old fashioned Hare & Hound events for all abilities.
A massive thanks to all the clubs for taking the series on which was a gamble for all in many ways but I’m sure all feel was well worth it. All the clubs were put under massive pressures not in the normal way but by the good old British weather
The first round run by the Cotswold Enduro Club saw superb conditions on the Saturday and then overnight and all day Sunday we had heavy rain which turned the Shuckburgh Hall track into a monster and a true extreme challenge
Next up wash Chiltern Hills Enduro Club at the superb Lane End track
Again good conditions on the Saturday and then an unbelievable sight of 6” of snow on the Sunday with many riders not being able to get anywhere near the event – the club had no choice but to cancel and reschedule. At the re scheduled event Saturday again was set fair and on race day more rain but the event ran and was also very tough for most
Then round three staged by Xmoor Enduro Club at the superb Rifton Barton venue. To add to the again rainy conditions the riders had the added challenge of using trials tyres on the rear making grip and braking a character building exercise in its self. This alone made the event extreme for some
Last but not least saw the vastly experience set up of Gary Warr's Southern Counties Enduro Club running the fourth and final round at their Milton Abbas venue a good mixture of woodland, open going and even several by now very deep river crossings added to by yet again torrential over night rain. This left many a rider thinking there was no way the event would run, but with Gary's choice of venue and track design to match the event and organisation was spot on with the track even getting better as the race went on.
The car park was for some more of a challenge but no tractors were needed just a few 4X4’s and a little camaraderie saw everyone leave the venue with no dramas
So in short a tough series for both riders and clubs but a great success that can only get bigger and better and will develop into a true British Championship
A massive thanks to the AMCA for fully backing this series not only financially and in trophies etc. but in the user friendly way they assist clubs in all ways
Yours in sport
Pete Carter"
--
Everything is now in place for tomorrow's final round of the inaugural AMCA Hare & Hounds Championship series. We're delighted to be hosting the event and have carefully designed a 5 mile course around our Bramblecombe Farm venue that will remain rideable and enjoyable in spite of the horrendous rainfall over the past days
The course is mostly fast and flowing but naturally there's the odd obstacle here and there, including 4 river crossings, an apple covered downhill (that will be extremely entertaining during he early laps!), short but oh so slippery grassy cambers, and plenty of roots in the woods to look out for - whatever you look for in a cross-country race you won't be disappointed!
