MKM Rocketman Suzuki Go Continental
Jul 2008
This weekend Team MKM Rocketman Suzuki went over to Belgium to compete in the Bastogne 6 hour Enduro.
Team MKM Rocketman Suzuki had three teams entering into this annual event, all riding the Suzuki LT-R450. Team 1 consisted of Steve Atkins, Andrew Davies and Jason Wildman. Team 2 was made up of Lewis Hill, Ryan Wildman and Clint Eagle and Team 3 was Sam Barrett, Liam Ryland and Anthony Deacon.
On Saturday the team then had a free practise to check the bike settings and get acquainted with the track before the qualifying race took place. After the hour qualifying session Team 1 were to start the main race in 9th. Team 2 were to start in 26th and Team 3 were to start in 47th.
On Sunday the main race got underway with a Le Mans style start. All three teams started well, Team 1 rode a steady pace and remained in the top 10 for the first hour. Team 2 started with Hill riding, he managed to make some good ground but crashed after the first half hour requiring a stop in the pits and the loss of valuable time. Team 3, who started in 47th completed their first lap in 26th place.
After the first three-hour session Team 1 were in 32nd place. Team 2 lost some time due to stricter safety rules resulting in Eagle having to return to the Pits to put on a neck brace. They finished the first session in 31st and Team 3 finished in 28th.
The second three-hour session got underway but unfortunately Team 3, who were riding so well in the first session experienced some technical problems and had to retire from the race half an hour in. Team 1 carried on riding a good race whilst many others dropped out and finished the event in 13th. Team 2 finished in a very respectable 20th out of 70 teams, of which only 30 completed the entire 6 hours.
Anthony Deacon, rider and co-team manager, commented, “This has been a really good event. 70 teams started and 40 dropped out, it shows how tough an event it was. I’m really pleased with how the whole team performed”.
Team MKM Rocketman Suzuki will be next be racing in the QRA British Quad Enduro Championship round 5 at Rhayader, Powys 27th July.
