Fast Eddy Rd5

22nd July 2002 - Tong Hall, Bradford 

HONDA ENDURO TEAM press release

With David and Juan Knight dominating the Fast Eddy Race series to date, Wayne chose (on the basis of his selection for the ISDE GB Trophy Team) to campaign Sandiford’s CR250 at this fifth round of the series.

He felt that the 250 would be more suited to the particular conditions on what is certainly the most Trials orientated of all of the Fast Eddy events. Tight and twisty with rock outcrops, Wayne had posted 2nd place at the same event last year. Considering also his selection on a 250 2 stroke for the 6 days he was conscious of needing time on the quarter litre whilst still choosing to campaign the CRF450 at the British Championships where he now leads the 4 stroke class.

An excellent start marred only by Kawasaki’s Rob Wrayford who tangled with several on the first corner including Wayne, David Knight and Edward Jones (Edward unfortunately coming off worst) and the first circuit counted Wayne in third.

Passing Juan Knight on the 2nd Lap, in view of all the spectators on the infield loop and battle commenced. Having studied the “Trials section” the night before Wayne was confident of his ability to exit the same and save some time on the circuit around the side, picking the middle line each time he could be seen cresting the banking in front of those who had chosen to go round. Only a few picked this line, but it was clear that it was extremely time efficient.

Juan and Wayne were mudguard to mudguard for the first hour and a half and entered re-fuelling on the same lap only seconds apart. Juan exited first whilst Wayne’s crew changed his Drinks system( a necessity to insure his strength and concentration towards the end of the 3 hours) and Wayne set chase. By the first lap after fuelling Wayne was back in 2nd and chasing Juan’s younger brother David. He started to close the gap, but with 40 minutes and 4 laps left to go they consistently posted lap times within seconds of each other with Wayne finishing 3 minutes 39 seconds behind David but a clear 5 minutes 49 seconds in front of 3rd placed Rob Sartin. Rob’s family business (Talon Engineering) are a team sponsor and our congratulations go to him on an excellent result.

Wayne said “Proof’s in this result that I can still ride a 250 and still be more than competitive on the same – I can’t wait for the ISDE in the Czech Republic, it’s going to be fantastic and I’d like to thank Euan Syme for selecting me on the knowledge that I could still be up there with them on a 2 stroke”