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SACU 2000 ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 3 Shiplaw Eddleston E.L.R.A.T. MC 21st May .

A very successful days racing was enjoyed by a field of 70 riders with the rain holding off and the course drying out slightly as the day progressed. The Clerk of the Course Ian Paterson was worried that rain might lead to a repeat of last years event when sections of the track were cut out in later laps due to continued rain. But this year the riders were given fairly slack lap times and almost all the riders stayed clean on time. With riders coming from Ireland and the North of England Scottish Events are proving very popular and providing an International element to the competitions. It also means local riders have to up their efforts to win the events.

With one of the best (I'm biased) special tests in Scotland set out by Andy Flockhart and his team some very fast times were seen but a tricky off camber downhill caught out several riders including the front runners in the expert and clubman classes. The test was extended from last year with the flying leap over the wall still the high point. A flowing test was the aim and in fact very few tapes were brought down showing most of the riders remained in control.

Derek Little won the Expert class with some very consistent high speed runs but Graeme Naismith was unlucky to come off and lose time and with it the event. Pushing just a little too hard. Graeme looks like giving Derek a run for the title this year. Ian Harkes in third was followed home by Nicky Beavitt on his brand new HUSABERG, a great looking machine and potent as well with grip everywhere.

The clubman class had two surprise entrants who set fast enough test times to have been looking for an Expert class win. More usually found in the forest on four wheels the Macrae brothers,Colin and Alistair,  turned out on Suzuki DRZ400's and proceeded to blitz the test and course. Impressing all observers with their speed and control they easily won their class. Alistair fell off on the same corner as Graeme Naismith and lost too much time starting the big 4-stroke by which time Colin had cleared off and won the event. Michael Scott finished in third place with very consistent test times beating Adam Lynam by  37 seconds in 4th.

Jim Wightman fought a close battle in the Over 40's to beat Geoff Pennycook by only 1 second over the four tests. Dougal Walker close on their heels in third place. The MX nature of the test was not to the benefit of some of the riders who prefer more tight forest tests and struggled to get grip on the open track. This class is producing some of the closest racing this year with no rider giving an inch. All experienced competitors, the younger riders could learn a thing or two from watching these men in action.

Stevie Palmer produced some fast test times to take top honours in the Sportsman class but was only out to enjoy the racing. This class is for riders who find the extra clubman lap a bit tight and those learning the sport, but they are all out there competing and this class has produced some battles on the day as well.

All the riders seemed to enjoy the event and look forward to the next event at Elgin - hopefully as good as last years.

Results

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