A decidedly chilly but sunny Sunday 27 February, saw the inaugural round of the Southern Counties Enduro Club (SCEC) Championship Series at Axen Farm, Bridport.

This was a new track and no one was sure what to expect. As a precaution organiser Gary Warr had advised riders to use a good enduro/knobbly tyre - as opposed to a trials tyre option.

But as it turned out, the previous weeks of dry weather had left the track in 'perfect grip' condition - which meant it was going to be fast!

SCEC had warned everyone that bikes would be noise tested. There was no messing, bikes had to be under 94 decibels to be allowed to ride. Although this must have worried a few 4-stroke riders before the day, it had obviously spurred them into action - and weren't the bikes blissfully quiet!

After a slight delay due to some riders signing on late the small championship class were flagged away. Andy Frost riding a little Honda 250 4-stroke stamped his authority on the race immediately. As the group tore off across a huge off-cambered field and reached the first mud splash onto grassy hill one, he had already a thirty metre lead over Charlie Richards in second place on his KTM250.

With knobbie tyres and good riders the hill was no obstacle, but when the next group of Experts arrived the action was a little more frantic. One or two who hadn't checked out the course before hand, cut the turn a bit tight and were caught out by a small drainage ditch at the foot of the slope. When the over 40 and clubman entry got to this point mayhem started for many as nervous riders fell and blocked some of the best lines, - it was great for spectators!

As the champ boys crested this hill on lap two it was No2 Andy Frost with an already clear lead from No5 Richards, followed closely by No9 Darren Caines, No1 ???, No3 Gary Holland, No7 Gary Wright and No4 Ian Putt. But the writing was on the wall, Frost was determined to stay well ahead of the pack, he was riding so smoothly with his 250 Honda pulling tall gears everywhere.

The track was a great mixture of meandering woodland trails and very fast open going across grass and stubbled fields. Many of the 2 stroke MX riders commented that their bikes were not geared high enough in top to stay ahead of the 4 strokes in the fields - so it must have been quick out there!

By lap 4 Frost had built up a two minute lead over Richards still in second. Caines was still in 3rd and Wright had moved swiftly up to 4th. Another two minutes later saw Holland come into view with No8 Steve Bulley in tow.

The smooth going caused very few upsets for the top boys from this point onward, so the pitstop strategy's were going to play an important part. And although at the 2 hour mark the top four places remained the same. But when the flag finally dropped after 3 hours Darren Caines had nudged Gary Wright out of 3rd place, then Charlie Richards out of 2nd after a tough battle. Andy Frost had almost lapped every rider on the track for 1st place with 18 laps under his belt. Caines 2nd, Richards 3rd & Wright 4th.

Andy Scrivens took the Expert win 17laps, Andy Scudamore the Over 40's 17laps, Mik Hill Clubman E1, Steve Hading Clubman E2. 

Although the conditions were perfect, many riders had 'over biked' themselves and tired easily at the fast pace, causing a few retirements. Later in the day a 'two plank' bridge crossing had become rather slippery making approaching riders very nervous. SCEC had provided an easier but slightly longer route for the less brave. But many took their chances and when tired, came a cropper on the huge exposed tree roots just beyond the bridge.

Biker's Comment: The event was well organised and excellently run. All the bikes were very quiet and yet the traffic police turned up in strength, with would you believe it - a noise complaint from someone nearby!

Sportsman Mark Morris exits the first wood.

But they were also impressed with the way the event was being run and had no concerns - I know they told me so! But it just goes to show how seriously we do have to take the noise issue, otherwise we are all going to lose out on great venues like this!

Well done Gary, Josie and all the other SCEC team members and thank you for giving everyone a great days motorcycle sport.

Report - Adrian Harris