FAQs
05 October 2009
UPDATED FOR 2013… To better explain what the British Sprint Enduro Championship is all about, what riders and spectators can expect on race day, what classes there are, and how the ‘sprint’ format works we’ve put together a Frequently Asked Questions section…
NB: For Entry info please click on the 'Entry Info' tab.
NEW FOR 2013
- Clubman Vets and Expert Vets classes have been added to the 2013 BSEC series.
- Mix of two and one-day events. For 2013 the BSEC series will feature both two and one-day events. The five weekend, eight round, series will feature three two-day events and two one-day events.
2013 HUSQVARNA ACU BRITISH SPRINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUNDS 1&2
April 6/7, Chavenage Farm, Tetbury, Gloucester, GL8 8XU
ROUND 3
May 26, Saints Well, Mid Wales, LD1 6PT
ROUNDS 4/5
July 6/7 Llangrove, near Monmouth, NP25 5RT
ROUND 6
August 4 Westwood, near Sheffield, S75 3DL
ROUNDS 7&8
August 31/Sept 1 Chacombe, near Banbury, OX17 2JR
What is the British Sprint Enduro Championship?
The BSEC is Europe’s first sprint enduro series. Promoted and organised by GMC Events Ltd, it’s sanctioned by the ACU, which means guaranteed official British Championship title winners. With three successful season of racing in 2010 and 2011 and 2012 for 2013 the series will consist of three two-day events and two one-day events ensuring eight rounds of racing. Staring in April the series will reach its conclusion on September 1. The BSEC series is suited to both enduro and motocross riders and also welcomes cross-country and trials riders looking to try something new.
What’s the format for each event?
The British Sprint Enduro Championship uses a simple and easy to understand format. All competitors ride one special test between seven or eight times at each round of the series. Riders simply go from the pit area (paddock) to a waiting zone and from there head to the start area before completing each lap. Riders set off at 20-30 second intervals, so everyone gets a clear lap. Once a test is completed it’s back to the pit area. When the last rider finishes a lap the first starts the next. Riders will have about 30 minutes to ready themselves between laps. There’s certainly no hanging around!
How many laps of the special tests will each rider complete?
Seven or eight laps will be completed each day by each rider. Eight laps might not sound like much but with each test being approximately 10 minutes in length it’s equal to roughly half a club motocross race each time out! A total of one-and-a-half hours of racing is what every competitor can expect on any given day. During the 2012 series all riders agreed that eight 10-minute laps was more than enough.
The special test (lap) will be run in the reverse direction on the second day of each weekend i.e. the special test for round two will be the reverse of round one.
Do I have to be an experienced enduro or motocross rider to compete?
Not at all. The minimum requirement is that a competitor is 15 years old. After that it doesn’t matter if you’re an enduro rider or a motocross rider of world championship standard or a club racer, you’re welcome to compete. For 2013 Clubman and Expert Vets classes have been introduced alongside the six additional classes. The BSEC won’t feature any ‘trail time’. It’s all about exciting special test racing.
How many classes are there, which one should I compete in?
We’ve added two new classes for 2013 – Expert Vets and Clubman Vets. Last year the series introduced the 125cc Youth Cup and Women’s classes, which takes the total number of classes to nine – Elite, Expert, Under 23, Under 19 and Clubman, 125cc Youth Cup, Women, Expert Vets and Clubman Vets.
The Expert, Under 23, Under 19, and Clubman classes will have Enduro 1, Enduro 2 and Enduro 3 sub-classes.
The Elite class – Is designed for experienced and international level enduro and motocross riders and top-flight national competitors. The Elite class is ‘unlimited’ meaning there are no capacity sub-classes. Competitors can ride a 125cc two-stroke or a 610cc four-stroke
Expert class – Will be where all, non-Elite, enduro, motocross and cross-country racers, of all abilities, will compete. It won’t necessarily be like the Expert class of the BEC. The Expert class is where riders should compete if they don’t want to try and qualify for the Elite class and/or are older than 23. Serious Clubman riders are welcome to compete in this class, as several have in past seasons.
Expert Vets – Expert class riders aged 40 and over will compete in the Clubman Vets class.
Under 23 class – As the title suggests this is the class for all riders Under 23. It will have a large mix of abilities so no matter if you’re an up and coming young enduro or motocross racer, new to the sport, or have even been a member of the British ISDE Junior Trophy Team, this is the class for you. The Under 23 class will feature Sprint Enduro 1, Sprint Enduro 2 and Sprint Enduro 3 sub classes.
All competitors Under 23 must enter into the Under 23 class. Riders must be Under 23 on Jan 1st of year of competition.
Under 19 class – The Under 19 class has been introduced to encourage younger riders to compete, proving extremely popular in 2011. Giving Under 19 year old competitors a class of their own, like the Under 23 class it will feature a large mix of abilities. The Under 19 class will feature Sprint Enduro 1, Sprint Enduro 2 and Sprint Enduro 3 sub classes, but the Enduro Sprint 1 class will be for 250cc four strokes only… read on to find out why!
All riders Under 19 must enter into the Under 19 class. Riders must be Under 19 on January 1st in the year of competition.
125cc Youth Cup – New for 2012 the 125cc Youth Cup follows the lead set by the Enduro World Championship and the FIM in introducing a class specifically for Under 19 year old competitors mounted on 125cc or smaller machinery. 125s are great, and affordable, machines on which to learn but largely uncompetitive against 250 four strokes, which is why we feel it's important to give them their own class.
The 125cc Youth Cup is open to all riders Under 19 years of age competing on machinery no bigger than 125cc. Riders must be Under 19 on January 1st in the year of competition.
Clubman class – Clubman class riders will be able to compete in all rounds of the championship, either on a one-day basis (Saturday or Sunday), or on both days.
Clubman Vets – Clubman riders aged 40 and over will be able to compete in the Clubman Vets class.
Women’s class – Women competitors will compete in their own class. No matter what the age of female riders they compete together in their own class. The Women’s class is ‘unlimited’ meaning there are no capacity sub-classes. Competitors can ride a 125cc two-stroke or a 610cc four-stroke
Riders in all classes will complete the same number of laps, in some circumstances ‘extreme’ sections might be removed for some classes on occasional or all laps.
Can I compete on a Saturday but not on a Sunday, or vice versa, during the two-day events?
Each day of the BSEC series are separate point scoring days. Two-day events are in effect two separate events. Although each day of the championship is scored separately riders in the Elite, Expert, Expert Vets, Under 23 and Under 19, 125cc Youth Cup and Women's classes will need to enter for the weekend i.e. Rnds one and two, Rnds four and five. However, with regards two-day events Clubman and Clubman Vets riders are able to compete on a single day basis, be that Saturday, Sunday, or both.
How does the BSEC differ to the traditional British Enduro Championship?
As we’ve said before the BSEC uses a simple format. There’s no time cards, complicated rules, or far away fuel points – everything happen on site. It’s simply about special test racing, against the clock, which ensures a great event for riders and their supporters.
The biggest difference is that everything happens in one location. Once you arrive and park up in the paddock that’s where you stay all day. You’ll be a stone’s throw away from the start/finish of the course and from there the track is easily accessible. There’ll be exciting action going on throughout the day.
Do I need to walk the special test before the event, on Friday/Saturday?
That’s entirely up to the individual. Obviously, the more serious you are the greater the likelihood that’s what you’ll want to do. But it’s not essential. We understand that taking time off work isn’t always easy, which is why all events will feature an un-timed sighting lap first thing, both days. If you do want to look at the special test beforehand you’re free and welcome to do so from mid-day the day before the event.
Do riders have to stick to a time schedule?
Yes and no. Yes, because we need to keep the day moving. No, not like you do at a traditional enduro – there are no time checks to clock into. Once at the event and having completed signing on riders will then be informed when the sighting lap and racing starts. It is however the competitors responsibility to arrive at the waiting area on time for each new lap.
What are the courses like?
They’re all different but all have certain things in common – they feature a mixture of different terrain, are safe, challenging and enjoyable, as well as being clearly and professionally marked out. Check out the Event List section of the website for more detailed information on each venue.
Do I need an enduro bike?
No, not necessarily. Both enduro and motocross bikes can be used, but riders competing on four-stroke machines are not permitted to use ‘open silencer’ aftermarket motocross exhaust systems. If you’re planning on racing a motocross four-stroke we’d prefer it if you fitted and used an enduro silencer. Bikes don’t need to be road registered as no part of the course uses public highways. Bikes do not have to have lights fitted.
Is there an overnight parc ferme?
No, there isn't an overnight parc ferm. As soon as you've finished the final test on Saturday your bike stays with you, to take home, work on at the track, whatever. Then you simple ride it to the start on Sunday morning. Also, between each lap you'll get roughly 45 minutes to rest/drink/eat/check your bike over.
What if I’m still unsure about a few things?
Get in contact with us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. Also check out the videos on the home page, they should make understanding the format a little easier. It’s really not complicated at all…
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