Tough time ahead
By TMX Archives on 27th Nov 08
SATURDAY, January 17, 2009. Mark the date in your diary!That's the date for the UK's number one Extreme off-road event the Tough One at Nantmawr Quarry, near Oswestry, Shropshire. The event has grown in stature over the last five-years and now stands alone as Britain's top spectator enduro fest. The organisers have made some subtle changes for the main event this time round ones that they hope will ensure even more value for money for the hoards of spectators expected to flock into the Shropshire venue.
The event has got tougher over time but this year and on the back of the success of the recent Tough One's Little Brother' the organisers have made a decision to make the course easier! Not too much though, but just enough to make the racing a bit closer and more exciting.
Many believe the TOLB' was just about the most exciting enduro race of 2008, so the removal of the stupidly steep' downhill section from last year along with some other course tweaks should result in wheel-to-wheel racing but still on a demanding yet enjoyable track.
The event will again cater for Clubman riders and a new Over 40 class has been added allowing some past masters' to take on the challenge, if they so wish.
The hugely popular Speed Trial will again return to its slot in the middle of the day to entertain the crowd for one-hour as they float around the tough enduro circuit and make it look so easy. Anyone remember a certain Michael Brown last year?
This year the winning trials rider will NOT be seeded through to the main event, as last year proved that a trials bike has an unfair advantage over the much heavier and less nimble enduro bikes over what is basically a trials course for enduro bikes.
So, the Speed Trial becomes the main race of the day for the boys with no seats on their bikes! The format remains the same the rider who completes the most laps in the one-hour duration wins. Once again Britain s best trials riders will be in attendance.
FOR FULL STORY SEE T+MX NEWS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008