Scots are OK 'jac!
By TMX Archives on 26th Feb 09
THE first round of the Metzeler British Enduro Championship, the Muntjac, in the Thetford Forest, Suffolk, saw perfect weather and David Knight returning to the BEC with a win on his BMW as 232 riders turned-out. Ten Scottish riders made their way down to Sussex for the start of the 2009 season. Euan McConnell was the top Scottish performer on his new Aprilia 450 V twin, by far the quietest bike on the day, finishing sixth in E2 and 12th overall.
Ricky Mair was out on a reliable and powerful Suzuki RM250 which was all he needed to see him return to the British Enduro Championship. Ricky rode spectacularly to seventh in E2 and 13th overall. Richard Hay won the E1.2 class and finished 15th overall on his Dennis Irvine Superbike KTM. Kevin Murray finished 12th in E2 on his Yamaha.
In the Experts Derek Little was running in the top five until he clipped a tree, came off and took a blow to his ribs and he was eventually forced to retire.
Neil Chatham had to carry the honour for the Scots in the Experts and thoroughly enjoyed his first Enduro on his Drysdale Motorcycles Suzuki RM125. Allyn Scotland was running well until his security bolt snapped and his tyre came off the rim.
Fraser Norrie just missed his dream debut in the Clubman class finishing second overall although he did win the E1.4 Class as compensation. Neil Paton also travelled down with Allyn Scotland for his first British Enduro but had to call it a day at the end of the third lap.
The story of the day for the Scottish riders was D3 Racing's Murray Thomson who pulled himself up to the top of the Veterans leaderboard. This is not Murrays' favourite event and it was obvious from his special test times, sitting in third place after the first test. With tight times Murray was able to show his talent on the course on the last lap, the only rider to clean the time sheet Murray took the win ahead of Carl Tiley and Jack Twentyman, a truly heroic performance.