The independent review showed that both two and four wheeled motorsports in the nation’s forests are “recognised globally as some of the best event terrain in the world”. In addition, the facility and opportunity that the forests provide are a vital part of supporting grassroots activity and contributing to the UK’s position as a leading nation in motorsports.

For the ACU, Trials and Enduro events play a vital role in getting enthusiasts out to enjoy the public forest estate, while encouraging grass-roots and competitive motorcycle sport across the UK.

Many thousands of people every year visit the nations forests to take part and spectate in motorcycle sport events, from the beautiful setting of West Harting Down in the South, to Thetford Forest in the East, and Boltby Forest in the North. Events range from club-level trials, to national championship competitions, allowing people of all ages and abilities to take part. The review also found that communities affected by motorsports events on the whole are supportive, and marginally impacted due to the limited frequency of events at each forest. Motorsport events also provide support for rural economies estimated between £2.2 to £2.4 million per year.

Safe and legitimate sporting events also help reduce illegal riding, and the ACU together with local clubs and organisers regularly work with local forestry officers to help combat illegal riding and secure the future of motorcycle sport.

Looking to the future, the ACU will set up a Sustainability Taskforce to consider the impact of our sports and appropriate mitigation. We are committed to working with stakeholders, organisers, manufacturers and other forest users to encourage and improve sustainability, while reduce the environmental impact of our sport. Early initiatives will include continuing to work closely with Beat Foresters on the ground to effectively manage the land and safeguard nature, with other considerations including contributing to insetting and offsetting schemes, contributing to new wildlife corridors and habitats and working with manufacturers on electric vehicles. The ACU are also committed to working closely with Forestry England on a new fees structure to ensure reinvestment into the public forestry asset.

Mike Seddon, Forestry England Chief Executive said: “The nation’s forests have in the past found themselves at the leading edge of motorsports in England. Our review has made it clear to me that we must take the opportunity to become leaders again. I’m excited by the chance to reduce the environmental footprint of motorsport and improve its financial support for the forests and local businesses. Perhaps we can bring some new audiences too. I know first-hand the passion and support that the motorsport community has for the nation’s forests and we’ve worked together for a long time. This is a strong base from which we can, together, lead the changes necessary to secure the future of motorsports in the nation’s forests. Finally, thank you to everyone that took the time to give us their views: some 1,700 individuals and organisations.”

Roy Humphrey, ACU Chairman said: “The ACU are pleased to receive the news that following a review of motorsports on the public forest estate, the CEO of Forestry England has confirmed that a new agreement will be struck to support motorsport into the future.

“As the recognised Governing body of motorcycle sport, we look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Forestry England to manage and organise quality events while encouraging access to the nation’s forests. The nation’s forest hold a special place in the hearts of many of our members, so it is incumbent on us to protect and cherish these for future generations.

“Over the next five years, we are committed to improving the sustainability and environmental impact of our sports, and will be working with stakeholders, organisers, manufacturers and other forest users to secure our sports into the future.”

Coronavirus permitting, new applications for events will be accepted from Easter 2021 and they should be submitted in the usual way. The ACU is the only authority permitted to run 2-wheeled motorsport events in the nation’s forests, so if your organisation wants to be part of motorsport’s sustainable future, contact pr@acu.org.uk for further details. Photo credit: Anita Gellatly and Paul Gray.

Not got a road bike licence but always fancied some enduro? Still looking for a great Xmas gift? Why not treat yourself to a day on the Dave Thorpe Honda Off Road Centre .

Go to www.davethorpehonda.com and use code CHRISTMAS to get over £30 off any 2020 Enduro Day if you book with just a deposit by midnight Xmas Eve.

With racing at the core, all of the KTM enduro know-how went into the creation of this new-generation enduro line-up, which includes a brand-new chassis and new engines. The 2020 KTM EXC model range is truly the most READY TO RACE KTM enduro line-up yet.

For more information visit https://www.ktm.com/en/enduro/

Incredible footage of a group of friends out riding and enjoying their day until something goes horrifically wrong for one of them. This was aired recently on the Science channel.

Watch out for mine shafts.

Mathias Bellino who suffered a life-changing injury at an Enduro event in South America has set up a fundraising page to help with the cost of his recovery and many riders are donating gear to help out.

Stars of motorsport are donating jerseys and helmets which will hopefully raise thousands of euros and make things a little financially easier over the coming months.

Click the link to the webpage to donate and bid for some amazing memorabilia and help in Mathias his recovery: https://mathiasbellino.com/encheres/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7WkBEnpYq/

Bolt survived a huge crash and pitted in anger, thinking he may have thrown it all away. But the bike wasn’t too badly damaged and he changed goggles, got the bike tweaked and headed back out onto the deep sand. He held on for a fine 12th place to take the crown from German Manual Lettenbichtler.

Bolt said: “We’ve had two goes at celebrating and it’s hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m speechless. Such a long year with so many different races. It was a huge team effort. I’m completely lost for words!

“I did three laps with the front twisted so I came in to get goggles and the bike straightened out. I had a bit of a tantrum and had a strong second half of the race. I’m over the moon!”

As well as the world title, he also won a KTM X-Bow car as his prize.

It was a dream win for fellow Briton Nathan Watson who took the win on his factory KTM. The win meant he ended the series as third in the world. He won a race entry in the KTM X-Bow racing series worth £10,000.

Watson said: “I can’t believe it. I was so emotional when I crossed the line as I put everything into it. I’ve been second here and at Le Touquet but never won before. ”

KTM’s factory motocross rider Glenn Coldenhoff was leading the race and looked unstoppable, showing the sort of form that saw him dominate the recent Motocross of Nations as Watson moved into second place from Yentel Martens.

But the track included a tricky enduro-style X-lane that riders had to do four times. First time through, leader Coldenhoff had an easy run but next time he got caught in mass traffic and got stuck over some tricky logs.

That allowed Watson to get by and hold his own at the front until the end. Coldenhoff, who came perilously close to running out of fuel, held on for a fine second, from Martens in third.

Britons Todd Kellett was fifth and Jamie McCanney  sixth in a great day for British racing. Paul Bolton was 18th.

FMX star Robbie Maddison was not allowed to start after being disqualified in the qualifying race for riding in the pit lane.

The club will run a set of four events – one per month – catering for 65cc, BW85, SW85, Youth, Adult A, B, Vets, and Quads, with the possibility of a Twinshock/Evo class in the mix too.

The Dunbar circuit is situated in an enviably scenic location, close to the sea, and has plenty of parking. The deep sand track allows for great racing, whatever the weather, and will again benefit from the input of experienced track builders who understand the need to incorporate different lines and passing places around the 1800m-long track.

Signing-on is from 3.00pm each Saturday and then again between 7.00am and 8.30am the following Sunday. To ensure this process is handled quickly, there will be a separate signing-on table per group to enable the non-stop programme to get underway at 9.00am sharp and finish within daylight!

Each class will be allocated two early morning practice laps, followed by three races of 12-minutes plus one-lap each. Trophies will be awarded to sixth place overall per class, and holeshot prizes will also be up for grabs.

Last year’s Winter Series attracted record entries, with riders from across Scotland and the North of England not just making good use of the events for winter training, but vying for Ecosse XC glory too.

The events promise to again provide fun-filled family weekends, with overnight camping available and food wagons on site. Competitors don’t even have to worry about providing a marshal, as the entry fee – £45 for adults and £35 for youths – will cover this cost. MCF day licences are available.

Entries will be available via www.mcfederation.com and day licences are available. Call the MCF office on 08454 750057 for further information.

The venue is located at Hadderwick Hall Farm, West Barns, Dunbar, EH42 1XF.

The Ecosse XC dates are;

9^th December 2018

6^th January 2019

10^th February 2019

10^th March 2019

6^th -7^th April 2019 double-header

Images: James Dods, Peter Greenwood

The next four qualifying positions were separated by less than a quarter lead by Jaume Betriu Armengol, Taddy Blazusiak, Mani Lettenbichler and our own Alex Snow on his Buildbase Honda.

Motocross rider Jed Etchells was an excellent seventh ahead of Daryl Bolter with Nathan Watson a disappointing ninth after falling in the last motocross test while leading.

Graham Jarvis was way down in eighteenth place and was just four seconds faster than the fastest clubman Harry Houghton.

But there are no championship points for qualifying so tomorrow is the important day and with all the other Fast Eddy riders on the track at the same time winning is going to be about who can do the overtaking the fastest.

Qualifying top twenty:

1 Josep Garcia Montana

2 Billy Bolt

3 Jaume Betriu Armengoi

4 Taddy Blazusiak

5 Mani Lettenbichler

6 Alex Snow

7 Jed Etchells

8 Daryl Bolter

9 Nathan Watson

10 Paul Bolton

11 Travis Teasdale

12 James Dent

13 Dominik Olszowy

14 Alfredo Gomez Cantero

15 Lars Enocki

16 Rannar Uusna

17 Lee Sealey

18 Graham Jarvis

19 Harry Houghton

20 Will Hoare

Relishing the deep sandy terrain of Europe’s largest coal mine, Watson led home a Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1-2-3, with teammates Josep Garcia (ESP) and Jonny Walker (GB) second and third respectively. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt (GB) was fourth fastest with home favourite Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) completing the top five.

With 1000 competitors eager for action at round five’s Red Bull 111 Megawatt, the opening day of competition saw riders compete for a place in Sunday’s main event by battling it out on a 12-minute-long sandy Motocross special test and the world’s longest Endurocross track.

At the top of the standings, Classic Enduro specialists Watson and Garcia were quick to set the pace, heading the provisional standings at the end of the opening qualification run. Walker and Blazusiak were close behind in third and fourth.

Despite rougher conditions, the majority of riders went faster for run two. Considerably improving his time on the Motocross test, Watson put his name to the top of the results sheet heading into Sunday’s final. With just eight seconds separating them, Garcia took second place, while series leader Walker ensured a strong, front row start with third.

Round four winner, Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young (RSA) was sixth fastest behind Bolt and Blazusiak. Setting the seventh fastest time, Dominik Olszowy (KTM) ensured two Polish riders qualified inside the top 10.

Finishing five seconds behind Olszowy, Beta Factory Racing’s Travis Teasdale (RSA) was eighth and fellow South African Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) ninth. Second to Walker in the championship standings, Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) confirmed his place on the front row with 10th.

Sunday’s race schedule, for round five of WESS, will commence in the morning with the GoPro B Final for the 501-750 fastest qualifiers. At precisely 1.11pm the top 500 qualifiers will blast off the line for the three-lap feature race where a 30-kilometre long course weaves its way around the coal mine.

The Red Bull 111 Megawatt final will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV from 13.05CEST.

Nathan Watson (KTM – GB): “It feels great to qualify fastest for round five of WESS. When I saw the sand quarry I knew I could put in some quick times as it’s the terrain I’m most comfortable in. The Motocross test was really good and even though it was rough on lap two it rode faster. There was better grip in the corners and you could really push hard. The Endurocross test was long, rough and tough, with some big jumps, too. Overall, it’s been a great day and hopefully I can continue this form for tomorrow. I’ve no real idea what to expect but I’ll give it my best shot. Hopefully I can get a good start and put myself into a good position on lap one and be there when it counts at the end.”

Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP): “Today was a lot of fun. Both special tests were very fast and nice to ride. I made a couple of small mistakes but nothing major during the day. I’m pleased with my speed and Nathan and myself had a really good battle. We were pushing each other hard but he just had a little more on me in the afternoon. Tomorrow of course will be a different story and a different type of race. It’s my first time here and so it’s hard to know what to expect. I’ll try to learn from those with more experience and be ready to push hard in the final stages.”

Jonny Walker (KTM – GB): “I’m pretty happy with third today. I knew Nathan and Josep would be fast because today was like a Classic Enduro special test. I decided to make a switch to the KTM 350f four-stroke for this race with the intention of staying on it for the remainder of the series. I’ve put a lot of time training on the bike and feel comfortable with it over the long cross-country style races. As series leader a win tomorrow will be a big result for the championship, I’ve won here three times, so I know what it takes.”

Results: Red Bull 111 Megawatt Qualification

1. Nathan Watson (KTM) 15:48.067; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 15:56.547; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM) 16:08.040; 4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 16:41.151; 5. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 16:24.446; 6. Wade Young (Sherco) 16:35.872; 7. Dominik Olszowy (KTM) 16:41.153; 8. Travis Teasdale (Beta) 16:46.938; 9. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) 16:48.325; 10. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 16:54.968…Red Bull 111 Megawatt Schedule

Saturday, 8 September:
Qualifications
10:00-14:00 — Round 1
14:30-18:30 — Round 2

Sunday, 9 September:
9:45 – Final B (qualifiers 501-750)
1:11pm – Final Race (qualifiers 1-500)

Red Bull 111 Megawatt Event Information