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Picture: Merv Heard working on his bike back at parc ferme – all the NZ team waited for Merv to clock in and gave him their full support – a great team to be associated with.
First Day Racing - Day 1 Thursday 28th July 2005
It is all go at the A4DE with good and bad fortune for the New Zealand contingent. The day started at 5 am with a Ross & Roger style cooked breakfast and a get away in the vans at 05:45 for the 25 minute ride to parc ferme where the riders prepared themselves for the start. Well before the first rider got underway, the fuel crews took off to the forest checks way out in the boon docks in order to be on site before the riders turned up looking to top up. Four vehicles dispersed different directions with two crews ready to leap from the first two stops to the last two.
Our eleven riders had varying degrees of success and disappointment depending upon their circumstances. Each rider was asked about their days experiences which are recorded here:
Rider No 5 Christopher Power: The day started out badly when the clutch started tightening up which affected my first terrain test. Everything went well for another two hours until the steering head started tightening up. Eventually I realised the steering head bearings were seizing so I had to ride with stiff handlebars. It was very frustrating not having proper control. At the work period I had to loosen off the steering head bolt to release the bearing. Lets hope it doesn’t give me any more trouble. Christopher holds 9th place After sorting out a few problems won the Acerbis Progrip terrain test outright in the under 200cc 2T class.
Rider No 18 Duncan McLaren: I didn’t have any problems at all with the riding or with my bike except for a blocked tank breather that had the bike starving of fuel until I realised what it was. The one thing I was amazed about was the amount of rocks. It was unbelievable how many rocks I had to negotiate. Otherwise a great ride.
Rider No 21 Jason Davis: Today I concentrated on riding smoothly so I didn’t have any crashes. My aim is to finish the 4 Day without any problems. I am using this as a learning experience. All my terrain tests went well so I was really pleased. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Noticed the rocks though. Jason Davis is in 23rd position in the under 200cc 2T class keeping up a steady performance.
Rider No 26 `Sean Clarke: This is the most technical (also hardest) A4DE since 1999 which was the mother of enduros. So it would have been testing for most. I had a good day with no crashes and found the Terrain Tests really great and did fairly well on them. I must say that the service crews have been excellent and have been where when required and on time all day. Fantastic. Sean is 7th in the 0ver 220cc 2T class only 26 seconds down on the leader. In a good position.
Rider No 43 Lockie Columb: I started off cold not really knowing what to expect. I slowly warmed my way into it and whilst I found the course pretty gnarly, it was great. I had a big crash and bent the bars but not too sore. I then got lost and almost lost time. Even though I was rider no 43, I ended up having to pass riders in the high eighties to get to the test on time. I only made it by 2 minutes. The CRF went really well so I was really pleased. Lockie is in 9th position in the 270 – 450cc 4T class
Rider No 48 Shaun Prescott: Never one to le us down, Sean had his share of incidents that caused much amusement for the onlookers but not one spectator. Let’s get Shaun to explain: I cam across a hold up on a steep rocky climb and needed to get through to the front. I spied a smooth line next to the tape so I went for it. At the same time a spectator decided to leap out and help a stuck rider. I ran right over him and crashed on top of him. I picked my bike up and started kicking my bike to find the spectator under me between the wheels. I got the bike started and took off before he could complain or catch my number. I had another crash at the final test in the mud when I did an endo into the bog. Bummer. Better luck tomorrow. Shaun is in 27th position in the over 220cc 2T class.
Rider No 53 Mark Whyte: Well this is the best trials riding I have ever done on an enduro bike. It was like the infamous Neasville back home in the Coromandel but dry. Very steep and rocky. I didn’t get held up at all so had a clean track to ride. I did get stuck for a while in the bog terrain test. Otherwise I rode well and had a great time. Mark holds 13th position in the 270 – 450 cc 4T class.
Rider No 54 Karl Power: No problems with my bike or myself today. I didn’t ride really fast but had no big problems so was pleased. I did have one crash with little damage. I enjoyed the company of Shaun, Mark, Michael and Heath. We had a five man freight train for much of the time which was really great. All good mates out for a great ride and having a great time. Karl Power is 14th place in the 220cc 2T just behind Michael Phillips
Rider No 55 Michael Phillips: Being only one of two Kawasakis in the event gives Michael a star cult status. I had a good day said Michael, and had no problems and no crashes. Oh I did get stuck in some rocks for a while but managed to get myself out and carry on, staying on time. Otherwise I enjoyed the days riding and am looking forward to tomorrow. Michael is in 12th position in the over 220cc 2T class going well
Rider No 56 Heat Howlett: It is definitely rocky over here and dry. I lost the front wheel on a steep down hill and have a pretty sore elbow with a huge graze although it is not hindrance to the riding. My 450 went really well although the size was noticeable in the tight rocks but she is definitely fast in the open terrain tests. Overall, I am very pleased with how it goes over here. Heath holds 15th in the 270-450cc 4T class
Rider No 244 Merv Heard: It all started to go pear shaped when I got stuck behind heaps of riders in a one line hill climb in the special test that has since been cancelled. We all had to wait in line for a chance to have a go and by then we were up to 15 minutes late. Then I lost my side stand. They are compulsory and you can’t carry on without one so I got Trevor to send a message back to the team at Park Ferme for a solution. Then I got stuck in the bog at the last terrain test. I was there for 10 minutes and lost even more time. By the time I got out I had to race to the finish as I had only 6 minutes left before houring out. Thanks to the team and to Hazel Rushworth. I was able to borrow her side stand to allow me to carry on tomorrow. All good for most of the time. Harder than I imagined. Merv is 65th in the Vets Open after getting stuck in the bog.
Check Crews: No eventful episodes for the check crews which was also great. At the second fuel stop, Greg got talking to a lone Yamaha rider who didn’t know where his fuel crew were. They were nowhere to be seen. Greg gave him some gas to keep him going and started up a conservation. It turned out to be one of the most famous Aussie Enduro riders Lyndon Heffernon. Soon Greg was in conservation with Lyndon and icon Geoff Ballard who rode up to say Hi. Apparantly Greg knows Geoff from the early enduro days.
The crew wasn’t finished! The container was repacked after the work period, fuel was purchased and mixed and more food shopping at the super market. Many hands make light work and everything was done quick smart. Really great to see everyone getting along so well.
Back at the motels there was time to shower before heading off for a meal at the local RSL and then an early night after getting the washing done of course! Poor Trevor! As our Jury member, he is in for a long night due to a jury meeting about the course, the changes that needed to be made and many complaints about the severity of the course. We just got a text from Trevor telling us there had been some problems and some of the scoring had to be checked manually so I guess we won’t see him or the results tonight.
