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Photo - Chris Birch & his Husqvarna WR250:
Having just got back from a week in the UK I thought you might be interested in the following brief update on Chris plans and the UK Enduro scene.
As previously reported Chris has joined the British Enduro Team. He is to ride a WR 250 as part of the 3 man Husky A Team, the other members being Chris Hockey and Darryl Bolter who are both past National Champions. Team Manager is ex. Welsh Champion Wyn Jones, cousin of multi - British Champion Geraint Jones who rode Maicos and Yamahas in the 80s and early 90s.
The Team will be contesting the 5 round British Enduro Champs, the 4 round Welsh Champs, the 4 round European Champs (Poland,Germany, Italy and Wales), the Powys and Welsh 2 Day and the Fast Eddy Cross Country series, so Chris is going to be a busy boy !
With the poor weather and short days in the UK at this time of year the entire team are off to the south of Spain in January for training on MX tracks.
For the first time, the British Championship Classes are to follow the World
Enduro Champs - ie E1(125 2 - stk.250 4 stk), E2 (250 2 -stk, 450 4 stk), E3
(over 450 4 stk).
Chris will be in the E2 class and will be up against Paul
Whibley on the Gas Gas. Paul has developed a good reputation in UK and is
expected to go well on the Gas Gas.
All the above events require riders to use "Enviro " tyres,and at least one requires Trials Tyre on the rear to limit environmental damage.
British and Welsh Events will run at least 3 ,sometimes 4 grades ie: Pros, Experts, Intermediates and Sportsmen. As all events use time clocks this makes it easy to run different speed schedules for each class.(I reckon that we should look to go this way in NZ also so as to enable Experts to be put under a bit more time pressure consistantly,and give Inters and Vets a bit more breathing space - any comments ?)
Chris has the first '05 WR Husky in UK. It has factory Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear shock.A quick blat on his bike showed the suspension to very plush and progressive.The motor has a special pipe and muffler and develops very smooth torquey power but with a top end too quick for me !
Chris is having to look for cash sponsor(s) to assist him to cover his costs next year. He is working 12 hours a day at present in a Scania truck workshop, but that will probably have to stop when he starts racing in March as he will need so much time off. He has to cover the cost of tyres ($200 each), moose tubes ($200 each ), fuel ($2.40 a litre), entry fees ($200 for a National),licence ($150), travel, accommodation etc for 8 months.
Chris will continue to post news on his website but things are pretty
quiet at the moment.
Chris and Monica have asked me to wish all their friends and supporters in
NZ a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
Peter Birch
