Never Forget.

At exactly 19.28 on Sunday, January 15^th, one of the greatest enduro riders the world has ever known was tragically taken from us. Finland’s Mika Ahola died as a result of ongoing complications from the internal injuries he suffered during a training crash in Spain last December. As news filtered through early Monday morning of the five-time enduro world champion’s untimely death, it shocked not only enduro community but also the world of motorcycling.

For a man regarded as being so fit and strong, one who had reached the very peak of his career; it seems impossible for his life to end so suddenly and swiftly. How Mika passed away and the exact cause of the injuries he sustained will probably always remain a mystery nor really do we want to delve any deeper into them, the fact is that he his gone and enduro is now a lesser place because of it.

Mika’s rise to fame was a late one, a true professional of the sport from an early stage of his adult life, it seemed a chance of becoming world champion had eluded him. Often second but never quite near enough, it took Mika until 2007 to finally lock down that first world enduro championship – winning E2 with Honda. What followed will now forever be known as an incredible feat of dominance. Winning just about everything there was to be won in E1 and E2 in the three years that followed, Mika established himself as the fastest rider in the paddock. During 32-races of the world enduro championship in 2009 and 2010 only twice did he fail stand on the podium, both in France, after he was crowned champion and both due to mechanicals.

Leading into 2011, he needed new motivation. The one title he’d left to claim was in truth the one he wanted the most – Enduro 3 had slipped his grasp. A big bike specialist for the majority of his working life, the closest he had got to a title was finishing second way back in 2001 and as long ago as that was; it still niggled in the back of the Mika’s head. Sticking with Honda, they built him a bike and once again Mika rewarded them with a championship.

How successful Mika may have become is something we’ll now never know. He broke all current records – five times consecutive world champion, a winner in all three classes and at 37 years young became the oldest ever world champion. For 2012 he had originally intended to defend his crown with the newly formed Jotagas. As we now understand it, his training crash cut short those plans, which lead to his retirement until tragically three weeks later injuries cut short his life.

On Saturday February 4th at 14.00 local time (12.00 Irish), Mika Ahola will be laid to rest in his hometown of Hämeenlinna – but he’ll never be forgotten.

Slán leat mo chara.

Mika Ahola

1974-2012

Top US off road racer Ricky Dietrich now living in Italy to chase this year’s Enduro World Championship with CH Racing Husqvarna filmed this video clip while out training in the Italian hills with teammate Alex Salvini. While we’re up to our axles in muddy ruts, their still ripping up dusty trails in mid January. Makes you think, don’t it…

It was launch day recently as Gas Gas unveiled their range of 2012 enduro competition motorcycles to the European press in the south of sunny Spain. Check out this clip as some of those lucky few in attendance get to put the latest offering from the Spanish manufacture through their paces.

All the action from round five of CTR Events Winter Series in Wales run by former top enduro rider Carl Tiley. Digger Offroad Films supplied the action.

On Sunday January 29^th, the Wexford MCC held their first event of the 2012 season with their annual charity Hare and Hounds in Barntown, Co Wexford in aid of the Hospice Homecare. With mixed weather leading up to the race, over 200 riders were faced with a very muddy 16km lap. Even with the bad weather trying to hamper racing, the course held up well throughout the day ensuring all riders got value for money racing.

Making his Expert debut, David McNulty – Husaberg got his 2012 season off to a flying start with a clear victory. Completing a maximum of eight laps for the three hour race, McNulty finished over a lap clear of his nearest rival Pat Kinlan – Gas Gas. After a poor start McNulty eventually worked his way up to second where a battled ensued between himself and race leader Hilton Hinks – Honda for almost four laps. Hinks would eventually finish the day in fourth just behind Niall Stapleton.

Winning Start: David McNulty was the fastest man of the day

“It’s been brilliant to get the year started off with a win,” confirmed McNulty. “The rain made things tough today but with the course being so long it held up really well. After a bad start, I managed to work my way into second behind Hilton. For nearly four laps we had a great battle swapping positions at almost every corner. He was faster on some sections and then on others I had an advantage. After the pit stop I was able to pull a gap and began focusing on my own race. I just tried to be smooth and pick my lines. I’m delighted to have won.”

Topping the Seniors was the 2011 Irish Clubman Enduro champion Jonny Mercier – KTM. Carding a total of seven laps, Mercier’s result lifted him to second overall on the day. Richard McCarthy was second with Paul McCann in third.

Also on seven laps, John Lynch – KTM was victorious in Clubman, getting the better of Steven Regan and T. Regan. Simon Kennedy won Sportsman, also with seven laps to his credit.

With less than three weeks remaining until the start of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, event organisers took a trip down to Aldershot – the venue for the series opener. While there they took time out to film some helmet camera footage of what the course will be like. For the curious folk among us here’s that clip to watch…

2012 British Sprint Enduro Championship – Round 1 Preview from Amped Clothing on Vimeo.

In 2012 Enduro team KORR will focus its efforts on younger riders, with Jonny Walker who will be just 21 years old this week and up and coming Expert rider 17 year old James Dent from KORR’s home town of Kendal.

In 2011 Jonny Walker was without doubt the most improved off-road rider in the UK, in his first real season of Enduro with support of KORR he established himself as one of the UK’s fastest Enduro riders and made his mark on the International scene with podium results at the International Six Days Enduro, European Enduro Championship and at Red Bull’s Extreme Enduro’s – “Erzberg” in Austria and “Sea to Sky” in Turkey.

Currently holding 2nd place overall in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship and leading the UK’s Fast Eddy Extreme Championship, Walker is looking to really make his mark in 2012. He will not only to compete in all major Extreme races, but also the British Sprint Enduro Championship, British Enduro Championship, some EWC rounds, the X games in USA and if time allows the ISDE in Germany. Its a very busy schedule and can only be achieved with substantial and quality support.

KTM Austria and KTM UK are giving Jonny support to achieve his goals, the main focus being Erzberg’s Extreme race and the World Indoor Championship, although JW is developing into one of the World’s fastest Extreme riders he will not turn his back on regular Enduro and is one of only a handful of riders who can be competitive in all disciplines. He will keep all 2-stroke fans happy, as again he will race KTM’s versatile 300 EXC.

KORR’s of course thanks all sponsors from the previous season that helped Jonny get to his current level and we welcome several new sponsors to the team. Firstly “SHR” a Silcon manufacturer from Blackburn who also run a World Championship Supermoto team are one of the biggest sponsors of KORR and also have a big interest in helping young James Dent follow in the footsteps of Jonny at UK Championships on a KTM 250 EXCF. Austrian clothing brand “Kini” who are synonymous with Red Bull and KTM will supply the team with their apparel and goggles, Airoh giving Jonny the best Helmets in the market and class leading TCX boots finish off the clothing sponsors.

Of new technical sponsors we welcome Akrapovic with exhausts and Carbon fiber, TM Designworks with bombproof chainguide systems – an absolute must in extreme enduro, Rekluse with their unique Clutch Technology, Enduro Engineering for Disc Guards, Radiator protection and Handguards. Raptor – the biggest and lightest Titanium footrests and S3 for adjustable cylinder heads.

We also create a closer working relationship with D3-Racing who will be assisting with race support, supply of KTM parts and general assistance of the riders. D3 will also be working closely with KORR to supply WP service and parts, especially Cone Valve Forks and Trax shocks that KORR exclusively distributes in the UK.

US racer Ricky Dietrich Confirmed for 2012 Husqvarna British Sprint Enduro Championship. CH Racing Husqvarna’s new signing Ricky Dietrich will compete in the 2012 ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship.

Adding Ricky Dietrich to the BSEC ensures an exciting start to the season

With the opening two rounds of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship rapidly approaching American off-road racer Ricky Dietrich has confirmed his participation in the series, which starts in Aldershot, Hampshire on February 11/12.

Recently signing to race for the Italian Husqvarna CH Racing Monster Energy team where he will contest the entire Enduro World Championship, Dietrich’s decision to also compete in the Elite class of the BSEC series injects further excitement into an already hotly contested championship. Formerly residing in California, Dietrich is one of the State’s top off-road racers having won titles in both the AMA Endurocross and AMA WORCS series.

In 2011 Dietrich switched disciplines to compete in the AMA National Motocross championship finishing 14^th overall – his season best result coming at round two in Texas where he claimed a superb fifth place. A rider with an excellent pedigree in both enduro and motocross, Dietrich is certain to prove a welcome addition to the 2012 BSEC series.

Ricky Dietrich: ‘I’m excited to be competing in the British Sprint Enduro Championship for Husqvarna. I’ve heard many good things about this series and feel that it will be perfect preparation for the Enduro World Championship. It will give me the opportunity to put in some real special test training under race conditions. My experience in enduro racing is limited but I’m keen to learn and I feel the BSEC will be the perfect place to do that.’

‘The championship has attracted a lot of talented riders so getting to compete against the top UK talent will give me a good indication of where both my speed and fitness is at. It will also be my first experience of the UK so I’m excited to see a little of the country, meet some new people, and maybe try out an English breakfasts I’ve heard about!’

The opening rounds of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship take place Nr Aldershot, Hampshire on February 11/12.

Spectator info

Directions:
The event is situated off the A323, Fleet Road. Follow event signs to the start/finish and parking areas.

Postcode: GU11 2HL

Entry Fee:
Adults £10.00 each. Under 14 year olds free. Overnight camping £10.00

Parking:
Vehicles will be parked on a generous, flat parking area joining onto the rider’s paddock and start/finish area.

General info:
Racing starts at 9.30am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break and paddock autograph signing session. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.

For more information visit www.enduro-sprint.com

The Mourne Motorcycle Club got their 2012 season off to an enjoyable start on Saturday 7^th January with their Fun Cross Country held at Saintfield, Crossgar, Co. Down. With organisers laying on a course of approximately one and a half miles in length, the healthy entry of 81 competitors enjoyed the two-hour spin while also burning off a bit of Christmas excess.

This was the third year that the Mourne club has held a cross-country event at the start of the New Year and it continues to grow in stature as each year passes. In 2010 the riders had to deal with riding through snow and in 2011 frost had left the ground frozen for the event. But in 2012 with heavy rain leading up to the event riders from throughout Ireland were treated to a slippery track, which was to cut up heavily in places.

The members of the Mourne club were pleased to see so many riders turn up for the event and we would like to thank all of the riders from the south who came along to enjoy another day of cross-country racing for fun. With more events planned in the near future keep an eye on Enduro.ie or the club’s website for further details: http://mournemcc.co.uk/

(Left to Right): Mark Douglas from Crossgar, Ballynahinch man Arthur McMullan, Downpatrick man Michael Killen and Mark Kirkpatrick from Aghalee.

Photo: (c) Barry Clarke

Following a disappointing outing at the first round of Eddy’s Extreme Enduro at Buxton, KTM Factory Enduro rider David Knight MBE put in a spectacular performance as a reminder that he is still the Tour De force in British Enduro. Fully recovered from a recent hernia operation he put on a show by consistently jumping a 4 metre wide ditch on his way to an outstanding victory in the second round of the series, lapping all but Graham Jarvis in the process. Round one winner, Jonny Walker struggled with food poisoning to finish third.

British Extreme Enduro Championship – Rd 2 from Amped Clothing on Vimeo.

 
Results

1. David Knight KTM 300 EXC
2. Graham Jarvis Husaberg TE 300
3. Jonny Walker SHR KORR KTM 300 EXC