All content © Bob MuIIins

Endurofest VIII
Chacombe

Enduroland's annual extravaganza of off-road fun, Endurofest, ran superbly across three days at Seals Hill Farm, Chacombe, in Oxfordshire last weekend. Quads, bikes and mopeds all had their shot at glory and once again this laid back celebration of all things enduro was a roaring success.

A last-minute move to this most trusted venue proved to be the right decision. It's miles of fields, large woodlands, hills and natural whoops, plus an excellent paddock gave riders all the right ingredients for an excellent weekend of racing and fun with a beer tent and marquee conveniently situated near to all the campers that filled the paddock area.

Master showman Nigel Wheatley had gone all out to provide maximum entertainment literally from the moment riders started arriving at the venue.

First up was the second showing of the Gumbull Moped race, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Trust in memory of Kev Bull. The field of riders had grown in size significantly since the first race a few weeks back. Mopeds of all description, and a few beyond description, lined up for the 30 mad minutes of fun around a short field circuit that had many mopeds struggling for grip. Of particular interest was the pairing of Matt Darch and Andy Wood.

Old enough to really know better, they had obviously spent many a long evening prepping their machines. Matt's machine has the 'euro' look with over-wide rims and skinny knibbly tyres, the same as knobblies but much smaller. A custom spoon arrangement acted as the master key and starter. Andy had gone for full on enduro suspension, on the front at least, a modification which saw him taking plenty of wide lines around the bends. A custom seat arrangement and plenty of welding to hold it all together completed the Rat Ped look. A bit like Pete Fonda's bike in Easy Rider but much smaller and a lot less shiny.

As the race got underway it was Matt Boam and Neil Duffy side by side but Duffy's battleship of a 300cc 4T soon pulled a gap over Boam's Chicken Chaser 90cc Honda Cub. With Duffy disappearing into the distance it was Jacob Bowden who tried to chase him down and took second spot with Daniel Bull in close pursuit. As the dust settled on a warm Summer evening, everyone retired to the beer tent to discuss just how good they were, or not.

Saturday morning saw the first outing for younger riders in the form of the sixth round of the Lucas Oils XC series. One and a half hours around a decent loop with plenty of challenges strewn across it saw Callum Sedgwick take the win by around a minute from James Palmer. With Finley Thompson in third, all on BW 85cc machines. Jemima Salt took the Youth 125cc class, Chris Bailey the SW85cc's and Doug Lote won the 65's. Kit Szabo managed six tough laps to win the Autos.

With the XC race done and dusted it was time to relax and have a leisurely few hours of practice before the Southern and Midland Quad H&H and the Enduro-x events began.

Just after the quads set off for their two-hour foray the enduro-x event also began around a very impressive custom-built course that included two pyramid type jumps, which were over three metres tall.

Fully refreshed from a night in the beer tent, Neil Duffy once again led the charge around the Enduro-X arena, proving that you can perform with a hangover and be over 40! The Bowden boys, Jacob and Ash, must have had a very late night because they just couldn't catch the wily Veteran, neither could Toby Hall who always puts up a good fight.

The quads hammered away at their big course and it was Clubman Lee Hakin who took the overall w as Elite quad rider Shaun Murphy took second place with Dean Jones on his 4x4 in third.

Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny ready for the 90-minute Lucas Oil XC race. Mandy and Joey Bowden's eldest and favourite son Ash benefitted enormously as Dad Joey spent an hour over-tightening Jacob's spokes with inevitable results during the race.

Both brothers were in the top three initially, Mitch Parfitt got their attention with a blistering hole-shot, until a couple of offs saw Jacob slip back down the ranks temporarily as Parfitt, Josh Buckley and Toby Hall capitalised on his misfortune.

Ash Bowden lead the race but gradually Jacob worked his way to the front only to have a spoke snap and he had to pit for a quick repair job. Ash went on to take the win with Jacob in second place following a terrific fight to get back to the head of the field.

Toby Hall had a great race taking third overall and top Clubman spot but it was that man Neil Duffy who took his third win of the weekend at the head of the Veterans class. Steve Osborn nailed the Masters class while Michael Barker won the Sportsman and Rory Bishop took the Youth 14-17 class win.

A few more hours of practice for the solos while the quads enjoyed a shot at the very muddy Mud Run to complete their three different tests for King of the Quads; XC race, Clover Leaf Challenge and Mud Run which was won by Dean Jones.

This was simply a brilliant weekend. There was loads of stuff to do no matter if you were on a bike or quad, adult or youth, the choice of challenges and opportunities on offer was terrific. This is what makes Endurofest so appealing; there is a great variety of fun for all no matter what your riding ability.

Well done to Nigel Wheatley and the Enduroland team, long may Endurofest continue.