2002 Year Review
August/September – Champions Galore
Rob / 27.12.2002
Happy High Fives
The only race in August was the third and final Ford Ranger one-day race at Swinley Forest near Bracknell and it was a scorcher in every way. Phil Humphreys had refined his course planning to the point where no-one knew where anyone else was or quite what mad challenge they were doing next. Everyone was having a good time though, and the leaders were racing flat out with ‘Tortilla Flat Track Club’ winning a sprint finish by just 18 seconds. The happiest team by far though were Wadenhoe High Five who did well enough to win the series prize of a Ford Ranger 4x4 for a year. It was the end of a great series that had added strong competition and a lot of fun to the UK race scene. Read about it here.
Dynamic Adventures Arrive
The first day of September saw the arrival of another new race that was to quickly grow into a series. Dynamic Adventures arrived offering short one-day training races with plenty of help and advice to get people started in AR. At this first race 45 racers took up the offer and the feedback was so good a winter series was planned on the spot. Read about it here.
Salomon’s Highland Weekend
One of the most eagerly awaited races of the year was the 2-day Salomon X-adventure National Event, and this time it was in the Highlands, making the most the long lochs, big Bens and cracking canyons. The canyon stage in particular was one of the highlights of the year – according to many the best so far in the UK. The race was also the last BARC qualifier and there was a strong entry, including Team Wales, whose manager, Tim Lloyd, reported on the race for us. Read Tim’s report here.
Racing is about more than the elite at the front though and Rob Priestley gave us a different, and diplomatic, view or proceedings nearer the back. Read Rob’s account here.
Cross-Channel Raiders
The Raid Normand was an international race in the truest sense, starting in France and finishing in the UK. Not too many British teams took part, but the race is already in it’s 8th year and was a tough challenge. Peter Brett and his team were learning about the race format the hard way, but were helped out by the organisers and his report stirred a lot of interest, so maybe there will be more British racers among the French teams next year. Read about it here.
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