For the final round of the British Enduro Championship, a change of machinery had arrived for Stan Watt, care of Edmondson Racing based in Norton Canes.
After some deliberation and testing of a variety of manufacturers and engine sizes, Front Row GB and Stan decided that they would remain with KTM for the rest of 2009 and throughout 2010.
After a full season on the much larger KTM690R, Stan is due to compete on the new KTM 400 four stroke for forthcoming hare and hounds and then a possible toss up between the 400 and the 250 two stroke for the World Extreme Enduro series in 2010.
The Natterjack BEC was to be the first outing on the KTM400, which arrived 3 days prior to scrutineering. A short but essential run in period, a replacement rear shock from Steve Plain of Steve Plain Suspension and Motorcycles, the bling KTM items from Edmondson Racing, some decals from Eddie at ProSeal and finally to round the bike off; a set of Talon wheels supplied by Rob Sartin at Talon Engineering.
Although we are truly in what would normally be a wet and damp Autumn, dry and warm conditions have remained, keeping the south coast of the UK hot, dry and dusty from what was already a fairly dry summer.
The Natterjack area near Petersfield renowned for being physically demanding due to the course being extremely whooped and cut up from years of abuse, was partically dusty with the normal stable sand areas being particulary dry and the cross country test cutting up into powder burms.
The course is split in half by the A3 carriageway with the two specials tests located next to the paddock and refueling area, allowing for excellent viewing by the spectators.
Stan got off to a steady start and was enjoying the KTM400, which seemed to have the perfect amount of power for the conditions. Trying too hard in the sand motocross test was making him run slower than intended and towards the end of the day, better use of the smooth power of the KTM400 allowed Stan to improve significantly.
For most competitors, it would not be the special tests that would cause the problem but the fact of 7 1/2 hours riding over some rough ground in a hot conditions not normally seen for his time of year. The top riders of David Knight, Christophe Namantin and Paul Edmondson would take most of it in their stride, even the chest high brick wall to start the cross country test.
Lap two saw Stan lose a petrol cap half way through the check, having to return to the pits for a replacement, he then had to push hard to make up as much time as possible and straight into the motocross test. Even though he still lost 8 minutes and with everyone capable of staying on time there was little chance of gaining a good result on Day 1 and finished 29th.
David Knight went out with clutch trouble so the day was handed to Christophe Namantin followed closely by Paul Edmondson.
Day 2 would consist of a route competed in reverse and some tender riders after the physicaly strains of day 1. David Knight was on a charge and pretty much blew everyone into the weeds. A could test of bike and rider prior to the ISDE. With Knighter well out in front it was down to the usual suspects with Christophe Namantin and Paul Edmondson following on on their GASGAS and 290 Suzuki respectively.
Stan had a much stronger day 2 even with some consecutive crashes on the motocross test, gaining some places, finishing 7th in Expert E2 on the day and 9th on cumlative scores from both days.
Thanks to;
- Edmondson Racing
- Steve Plain
- Talon Engineering
- Pro Seal
- Insignia Signs
- Arai Helmets
- Michelin
FRGB
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