Enduro
Enduro - Endurance Events
Enduros are long distance
off-road endurance events where competitors keep to time
schedules between check points.
The roots of enduros stretch back
to 1913 when the International Six Days was run to test the
reliability and endurance of man and machine; an event that
still takes place around the world today; the present form
of enduros have evolved from this.
Most events are of one or two
days in duration and last up to 8 hours per day covering
around 100 miles a day – usually a number of laps of the
same course generally using forestry or hill ground.
Competitors loose points for being early or late at check
points and ties are decided at special tests of either a
motocross circuit or cross country route with competitors
timed on these tests to one hundredth of a second.
The competitors must maintain
their own machines and are responsible for all repairs
during the event. Though wheels and engines are not allowed
to be changed, once the event has started top riders can
change a tyre in under four minutes.
Enduro events are split into
various categories based on rider ability and sub divided
into engine capacity classes. In many Enduro’s (including
the British Championship) there is a class for female
competitors and there is often a class for sidecars that is
also divided into ability groups; Britain is one of the few
countries that have sidecar Enduro’s.
Two variations on enduros are
Hare and Hounds events and Rallies.
Hare and Hounds are run on a
smaller course where competitors cover a set number of laps
in usually 3 hours. These events are ideal to start
competing and build stamina for other events.
Rallies are designed for the many
large trail bikes which are available and these events use
less demanding terrain, include a series of tests and are
favoured by the less competitive riders.
Enduro sport is staged at many
levels from local events through to British Championship to
European and World Championship.
Please visit the ACU
Motorcycling GB website. |