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Ex TRUE GRIT

 
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17th February 2002 - Driffield - Yorkshire.
(Full results available from www.endurosport.co.uk)

Another excursion for the away team from Scotland. The season hasn't started yet but the boys were  off again. This time to the ARMY Exercise True Grit - run at Alamein Barracks near Driffield in East Yorkshire. On the recommendation of Jose - who rode last year - we headed south to a deserted airfield and parked up. It may not seem like winter - but I can assure you that under canvas at this time of year it is sub zero. It makes getting up in the morning easier as you look for that first cup of tea.

With several other vehicles parked overnight we knew we were in the right place. Dougs van was set up and the tents were ready -Ta Doug. So we attempted to get some kip. That bloody generator next door finally ran out of fuel about 2:00 am as the temperature dropped. Still - this is racing on the road.

We were awakened by the noise of some serious machinery turning up. The ARMY know how to do things in style. Their bikes were dropped off by what looked like a tank transporter - which considering their bikes was probably appropriate. Respect is due to these guys for getting round on fairly standard army bikes and one that looked like an XR400 - but with a long range tank. The organisers set up their sign on desks etc and even had an inflatable hall. The portaloos were at the furthest away point from the start - which was probably appropriate considering their function.

The course was about 8 1/2 miles in length consisting of very fast heath, lots of deep ruts, B*****y concrete (more of which later) some steep mounds and muddy bogs. And as it was an ARMY exercise - a deep muddy concrete trough - deep enough to bury a tank in. And of course lots of marshalls to ensure there was no course cutting. They didn't look armed but they did look dangerous . And a wooded section (with a lump of concrete in the middle - where do they get the stuff ! ) which although mostly a single track had several fast paths where you could overtake if your nerve held.

The start was 20 riders at a time at 1 min intervals. Standard MX start as everyone goes for the first corner - there is three hours to go - but you all want the first corner. Fairly easy to get you going then in to the woods - out over a concrete path and a fast blast -then hills and ruts and mud till the end. Good riders doing a lap in about 20 minutes.Just before the end there was a fanatstic heath section where you could really let the bike rip and then drift wide to approach the final mound before the slalom section at the timing post. Well manned by ARMY volunteers who got you punched in record time and then back out for another go.

The team from Scotland consisted of 4 Scots - Stu Young, Charlie Mackenzie, Grieg Walker and Barry Clarkson - plus a wayward Irishman fresh from his class win at the Dunbar MX - Richard McVicker and finally the organiser Jose Vega Lozano who looks Italian but swears he is Spanish. And team Manager Dougie Maclean with Paul Haddon as pit crew.

First to drop out was Greig - riding with a just recovered broken foot - of course someone knocks him off then runs over that foot. One down. Next was Barry - riding with a damaged leg and bust ribs from the MX the week before. Concrete 1 Barry nil. There was a concrete road section just before the woods - and it threw Barry down the road - along with a lot of other riders (Including me at speed).

The rest carried on with generally only one pit stop for fuel and new gloves. Everyone went down on the concrete at some point as it got slicker. The back end passes the front and down you go. And it was hard. Out on the course Stu was doing great - passing loads of people - then falling off - and they all go past. etc etc. Richard just kept going all day. Charlie kept going on the WR 250 F (best bike in the world - thanks Yamaha) - only one major error - apart from trying to overtake out of the woods on the concrete ( ouch) - make sure you are in front in the tank trap.I thought I was but I was overtaken by a rider and a muddy bow wave. Made sure I was on my own next time.

There were about 300 riders there - a massive exercise to coordinate - but the ARMY laid out an excellent course and changed it as it cut up to keep everyone going. With classes for all types of riders - Trail, MX, Enduro, 4 Stroke - and Service machines. The winners were the riders with a great day out. Recommended - we'll be back next year !

Wayne Braybrook fresh from his win in the Snowrun was 3rd in the 4 ST class on his 450 Honda beaten by Martin Sandiford and Conan Mayman. And there was also a Spirit award - won by Andrew Giggle. To show how serious some riders are about ability being the rider not the machine there was even a step thru moped entered.

  Photos - Paul Haddon

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