Mountain Top Enduro 2008

 

The Mountain Top Enduro took place on the 14th September and due to months of rain the club were just happy to be able to run the event.  Months of work were thrown into chaos over the last weeks as the proposed route had to be changed causing headaches all around.  A couple of dry days before the event and with the first glimpses of sunshine it was hoped that the course would hold out and be fun for all.

 

Hopes were soon tested as the tail end riders were helped around the test at the start of the first lap.  By the end of the first lap the test had rutted badly in places and tested the novices and sportsman to the max.

 

The first DNF of the day fell into the hands of Charlie Elder from Newquay who discovered that a mousse isn’t something you hunt in winter or pull for a bet with your mates, but is an enduro riders best friend.  His comments following the puncture are un-writable.

 

The club invested in a GPS system this year and fitted it to Owain 9 bikes new 300EXC ISDE.  It proved its worth as he managed to follow the track without getting lost and finished.  It also ensured that no short cuts were taken, unlike number 118 who has been disqualified after complaints of course cutting and then marshalls witnessing it at the infamous ‘John Hunt’ section after the drop from the windmills.

 

The expert category was won by Rheinallt Davies from Machynlleth, followed by Robert Reese and then Tudur Davies.  Rheinallt showed why Husky have put faith in him by setting the fastest and most consistent test times which only had a difference of 6 seconds even though the test deteriorated.  During the final test for the experts the smoothness of the winner is what stood out.  Dylan Hughes from the Dyfed club was the last expert rider to clean the times.  Given the prize money it was disappointing to see only 9 riders in this class.  Anthony Griffith had a good result after a move to the expert class only dropping a few minutes.

 

The O’40 class was won by Paul Sagar followed by Brian Collins and then local Dyfed club rider Calvin Williams.  Sagar set times fast enough to finish around fifth in the expert class and no doubt his trials experience helped as the conditions deteriorated.  Ten of the seventeen over 40’s finished with 50% of the finishers staying clean on time.  A number of the other retirees were due to mechanical and not physical problems.

 

The clubman class was won by Alun Jones, Gareth Davies and Mr Chris Larkin-Rosser.  The top two riders here had the most competitive test times with just over 1 second separating them over the two timed tests.  Much like Sagar their times would have been quick enough for a fifth place finish in the expert class.  There had been some issues in relation to Jones who rides expert at Hare and Hound type events.  Given that this was his second time card enduro and that he was only a second quicker than Davies who has ridden clubman all year it was decided that the result would stand.  There is no doubt that these two will be riding at expert level from now on.

Following on from these two Mr Chris ‘The Snipe’ Larkin-Rosser, John Hunt and Mrs Myles Larkin-Rosser were the only clubman riders to clean their times.  The current form of these three local Dyfed riders should mean a try out at Expert level for a few events next year.

Of the twenty one starters in the clubman class thirteen riders finished with five of them cleaning their times.

 

The sportsman class was won by Mark Longerman followed by Roger Marley in second and local rider Rowan Wood in third and another local rider Michael Williams in forth.  The test times of these four were good enough to record mid table times in the clubman class.  Again recent results should mean that these four will move up to the Clubman class next year.  Local rider Owain Peckover also had one of his better results as he cleaned his times and enjoyed an event for once without the pressure of an extra lap and tighter times.

 

Of the twenty two starters this category saw 50% retire with seven out of the eleven finishers cleaning their times.  Again a number retired due to mechanical faults and not physical problems.

 

The novice class was won by Chris Davies and was followed in second by B Warren.  Of the six starters there were only two finishers however two other riders failed to finish due to their bikes breaking down and not their bodies.  The two finishers both cleaned their times and alos set test times quick enough for a mid table finish in sportsman.  Mention should be made of Ben Shaw who after only one proper forestry outing entered his first event and if it were not for a mechanical DNF 4 miles from the end would have finished the event.  Even after a 2 hour wait to get his bike back he was still smiling and looking forward to his next event.

 

A number of riders passed comment on how hard the event was on the day, especially by riders who did not finish.  However a number of these riders have emailed the club saying that although it was a hard event as the conditions got worse, the reason for a DNF was more down to their own fitness levels than the course laid out by the club.  This would seem to be backed up by the number of genuine riders who cleaned their times in their respective classes.

 

It seems that the Mountain Top Enduro has become known as a ‘Proper’ time card enduro which seem to be few and far between these days given the rise of hare and hound type events.

 

The club would like to thank all of the sponsors especially MEM Offroad, the forestry commission, Dyfed Dirt Bike Club and everyone who helped from signing on to clearing the course for their help.  Keep an eye on the website for further events and it is hoped a return to the Nant Y Moch area the original home of the Mountain Top.

 

Prizes :

 

Expert Winner          £100               Rheinallt Davies        Sponsored by MEM Offroad

Clubman/O/40          £75                 Paul Sagar                  Sponsored by MEM Offroad

Sportsman                 Tyres              Mark Longerman       Sponsored by Cambrian Tyres

Novice                                    Tyres              Chris Davies               Sponsored by Cambrian Tyres

Ceredigion Expert                 £25     Dylan Hughes                        Sponsored by Merlin Homes

ADMCC Novice                      £25     Ben Shaw                   Sponsored by MM Ford

ADMCC Ceredigion Rider     £25     Chris Larkin               Sponsored by Owains Butchers

 

ADMCC Expert          Stanley Tool Box      Sponsored by Magnet

Anthony Griffiths   

ADMCC Cman/Over 40        Stanley Tool Box      Sponsored by Magnet

Mark Evans

ADMCC Sportsman               Stanley Tool Box      Sponsored by Magnet

Rowan Wood

ADMCC Novice                      Stanley Tool Box      Sponsored by Magnet

B Warren