Knight scores a home run...
By TMX Archives on 27th Feb 08
DAVID Knight's personal preference to contest an event in his own home village of Ballaugh in the Isle of Man on Sunday, rather than make the long journey to Norfolk for the opening round of the 2008 British Enduro Championship near Diss proved a prudent one.
Ramsey MCC's inaugural Hare and Hounds multi-lapper on virgin land at Ballamoar Farm was just what David needed on the eve to his departure to the United States to prepare for the opening round of the GNCC series.
The ‘big man' made easy work of what was a superb four-mile course, that mixed undulating flat-out open fields with nadgery water-filled gulleys.
The biggest problem for the leaders was negotiating the lesser lights who found the going particularly difficult.
It took the Red Bull KTM rider several laps to build up a two-minute lead over his elder brother, Juan, and fellow all-rounder Barry Kinley, but as the 83-strong entry of riders gradually thinned out David soon upped the pace on the factory 450 to lap the entire field, twice.
‘It was a great event,' spoke the double former World Champion, ‘just what I needed before heading off to the US. There is such a mix of terrain here, but I guess the overnight rain made it tougher for the Club riders, It was hard getting past them at times.'
Some 24-hours earlier Knight was lapping the field on four wheels in a track day session at nearby Jurby airfield, where he showed drivers of various Caterhams and other specials the way in a 150mph R1 Yamaha-engined buggy!
Juan Knight, who was largely responsible for setting out the course for the Hare and Hounds event, was also satisfied with the way the event went and happy to get the better of his long-time friend and rival Kinley.
The pair lapped the course 18-times in two-hours, one more than reigning Isle of Man Centre Enduro Champion, Ben Begbie.
The Quad race earlier in the day was led from start to finish by Jamie Corkish, on the 450 Honda, followed by Pentti Christian and Aaron Curphey in hot pursuit throughout, and a string of six further riders a single lap down.
RESULTS
Solo: 1 David Knight (450 KTM) 20 laps, 2 Juan Knight (300 Gas Gas) 18, 3 Barry Kinley (250 Yamaha) 18, 4 Ben Begbie (250 KTM) 17, 5 Matthew Lund (250 Yamaha) 16, 6 Gareth Quayle (450 Honda) 16.
Quad: 1 Jamie Corkish (450 Honda) 17 laps, 2 Pentti Christian (450 Honda) 17, 3 Aaron Curphey (450 Honda) 17, 4 Ste Ennett (450 Suzuki) 16, 5 Adam Huxham (450 Honda) 16, 6 Michael Kerruish (450 Yamaha) 16.