Chris and Dave have a good Natter'
By TMX Archives on 1st Oct 09
FRENCH rider Christophe Nambotin and Manxman David Knight shared day wins at the Army's REME-organised Natterjack Enduro, the final round of the Metzeler British Enduro Championship.
Gas Gas factory rider Nambotin topped the opening day and claimed the overall premier, while Kawasaki-mounted Knight put his name at the top of the results on day two after a DNF on day one.
Despite not finishing the second day's competition, KTM's Daryl Bolter secured the E1 Championship while TM UK's Jamie Paget came out on top in the E3 title chase.
Using the event as training for the International Six Days Enduro, which takes place in Portugal in two weeks, visiting rider Christophe Nambotin showed exactly why he is currently one of the World Enduro Championship's very best riders by topping the Championship class on day one of the Natterjack Enduro.
Although not the fastest rider around either the fast and sandy motocross test or the technical enduro test, Nambotin ended the first day comfortably ahead of Paul Edmondson with Phillip McLaughlin claiming his best ever Championship class result in third.
The opening day was full of excitement and more than a little controversy as the enduro test started with an extremely high, and extremely difficult, if you weren't a trials rider, climb up and over a chest height wall. Those that made it up instantly held a considerable advantage over those that didn't or had to take the ‘chicken' route.
While more than a few riders tried and failed the climb, including Christophe, come the end of the day, the Frenchman had amassed a 43-second advantage over Edmondson, who in turn was 30 seconds up on McLaughlin. Missing from the official results was David Knight who, despite setting the fastest times on the final five special tests, suffered clutch problems early in the day, which resulted in him not placing in the final results.
Metzeler British Enduro Championship Rd 4 – Natterjack Enduro
Longmoor, Bordon, Hants (REME)
Day ONE (overall)
Championship class: 1 Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas), 2 Paul Edmondson (Suzuki), 3 Phillip McLaughlin (TM), 4 Daryl Bolter (KTM), 5 Tom Sagar (Husaberg) , 6 Si Wakely (Husqvarna).
Expert class: 1 Rheinallt Davies, 2 Mark Roberts, 3 Neil Chatham, 4 Matt Ridway, 5 Luke Meredith, 6 Tudur Davies.
Clubman class: 1 Frazier Norrie, 2 Charlie Evans, 3 Oliver Hart, 4 Steve Holocombe, 5 Craig Altass, 6 Richard Benham.
Veteran class: 1 Carl Tiley, 2 Murray Thompson, 3 Neil Williams, 4 Gary Newman, 5 Craig Beattie, 6 Chris Roberts.
Day TWO (overall)
Championship class: 1 David Knight (Kawasaki), 2 Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas), 3 Paul Edmondson (Suzuki), 4 Tom Sagar (Husaberg), 5 Aston Bird (Husqvarna), 6 Si Wakely (Husqvarna).
Expert class: 1 Mark Roberts, 2 Luke Meredith, 3 Steve Hunt, 4 Neil Chatham, 5 Matt Ridgeway, 6 Tom Braddock.
Clubman class: 1 Charlie Evans, 2 Frazier Norrie, 3 Steve Holcombe, 4 Oliver Hart, 5 Craig Altass, 6 Lee Smith.
Veteran class: 1 Carl Tiley, 2 Murray Thompson, 3 Chris Roberts, 4 Gary Newman, 5 Simon Evans, 6 Craig Beattie.
Quad Class: 1 Will Duggan 1308.96 penalty points, 2 Garry Wright 1344.54, 3 Clint Eagle 1344.54, 4 Mathew Holmes 1497.54.
Sidecar Championship Class: 1 A Davies/ R Georges 1553.23, 2 N Rowlands/ M Rowlands 1574.9.
Sidecar Clubman Class: 1 A Nevill/ S Nevill 1635.59, 2 Anne Giles/ John Giles 1728.48, 3 C Soley / 'GC' 1764.58.
For full report see T+MX News, Friday, October 2, 2009
It was lucky seven for Greg Evans as he finished in that position on both days.