Great 8 take seven!
By Andy Foulkes on 19th Aug 11
Well over one hundred quad riders are preparing for the seventh Great 8 Quad Endurance Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend from August 27 through to August 29.
The Quad Racing Association has expanded the event over the years, both on and off the track. Three-years ago a four-hour Youth event was introduced, which this year takes place on Saturday August 27.
This a two rider team event, but can also be ridden as an Ironman for youth riders over 14 years of age. Names on the youth radar have to include the Dirtwarz team riders of Jack Godfrey/ Lewis Ryan. Then there's the hard-charging duo of Jamie Morgan/ Dexter Langford, who are never phased by the pressure of the event, with mature heads on young shoulders.
Also in the mix will be the teams of Joe Hurley /Matt Branch, Jack Naylor/ Luke Davies, Mitch Couzens/ Dan Shellard, Jack Hurley/ Bradley Cockrem, Endaf Owen/ Kieron Clarke and Matt Payne/ Callum Bates.
The list and calibre of riders keeps on impressing and all who start stand as much of a chance of glory as the team or rider next to them. Good to see 'Girl-power' is still strong in the youth with Amy and Grace Keitch, Gemma Pryce, Sophie and Georgina Bailey all in the mix.
Four riders so far are going it alone in the Youth Ironman/ lady class, Jack Pierce, Amy Keitch, Dave Richards and Jake Hammond.
In the adult eight-hour event, on Sunday, August 28, half the winning team from the last two years, multi British Champion and all round nice guy Jason Wildman returns to defend his title.
Carl Bunce who won the event with Wildman in 2009 and 2010 is contracted to compete in the Quad Cross championship, which has clashed with the Great 8 this year. So, Wildman has drafted in none other than former winner of the Great 8 Ironman class and second in 2010, Clint Eagle.
Eagle was partnered by Martin Benbow last year but accepted the invitation to don the number one plate with Wildman. The duo will not have an easy task defending the title, with some strong and determined riders joining them on the Le Mans start at 9.30am. Chris Cooper who is very experienced on this terrain is joined by Paul Hannam, another tidy, consistent but fast rider.
Scott Linley/ Sam Bailey and Irish duo Paul McConway partnered by reigning QRA British Expert Quad Cross Country Champion Paul Harkness will also be there.
Table surfer Chris Keitch teams up with Jack Price-Draper and ran at or near the front at last years Great 8 and will want more of the same.
The event theme has always been fun, with the Great 8 marquee housing the social gathering, which has seen many antics take place under the huge canvas and is set around the Great 8 Rocketman Bar and resident DJ Stumpy.
The Mini Bikes are seen as an extension to the fun and having seen them perform at the QRA ATE Dirt Track event at Oxford recently the racing was superb and they all had fun.
Entries are still open in all youth and adult classes. Visit http://www.qrauk.com/ or call Tony on 07774-434468 or Gaynor on 07979-300084 or qaynor@qrauk.com
