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Photo - Stefan Merriman:
A look at Round 6 of the FIM WEC series to be staged in the hilly surroundings of Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia this weekend and a cameo look at the WEC Enduro competition.
The environment is considered an issue by the organisers, therefore, the route runs on existing forest paths and roads and avoids any protected natural areas. There is no lack of muddy sections or the technically difficult stony downhill passages and uphill exits into narrow canyons. The two Cross Tests in Papradno and Sebestanova and one Enduro Test in Jasenica are attractive for spectators and easily accessible. Other attractive and accessible sections are - a muddy crossing in Setechov, a stony uphill in Brvniste and a mud mire downhill above Hvozdnica. One lap is appox. 80 km long and riders will ride 3 laps both days i.e. on Saturday and on Sunday.
Riders follow the marks of the track, each rider has his own timetable of arriving to a time check. There are 4 time checks per lap. A rider has to be exactly on time, both early and late arrivals are penalised.
Cross and Enduro tests are without any time limits, the riders are timed, their times together with the penalty points decide their final classification. The riders are not allowed to accept any outside assistance on the track. Therefore, they have to do any repairs themselves. The new rules permit mechanics, but these can only be in the paddock - which is near the start and finish area.
The start and the finish points are identical and located near a bus station and a football stadium in Povazska Bystrica. The parking of the Teams vehicles is also located in this area, together with the paddock and the parc fermé for the competing motorcycles. The starting time of the first rider is set to 9.00 a.m. on both days of the competition and the pairs of the riders will start in 1-minute intervals.
The WEC system has changed since 2003. The riders start in the WEC according to the 'Permanent Start' list that is compiled by the Enduro and Rallye Commission of the International Motorcycle Federation the FIM. The riders are divided into 3 categories instead of the original 5 classes. The 4-stroke engines are pushing ahead in the motorcycle world and same situation is in the Enduro. 4-strokes and 2-strokes with similar performance start in joint classes:
- Enduro 1 2-strokes with engine capacity from 100 cc up to 125 cc plus 4-strokes from 175 cc up to 250 cc.
- Enduro 2 - 2-strokes with engine capacity from 175 cc up to 250 cc plus 4-strokes from 290 cc up to 450 cc.
- Enduro 3 2-strokes from 290 cc up to 500 cc and 4-strokes from 475 cc up to 650 cc.
