Webmaster posted on January 27, 2010 20:27
Excitement is mounting for the 2010 Yamaha Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) being hosted by the Oyster Bay Motorcycle Club (OBMCC) from April 8th to 11th at Portland, NSW (near Lithgow).
The OBMCC and Central Tablelands Motocycle Club have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on plans for the event, including mapping out and pre-riding the course and special tests - which are tipped to be some of the best in many years.
Merriman will ride the 2010 event his last appearance was 2005
The A4DE is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious enduro motorcycle events and contributes more than $1.5 million annually to the economy of the host area.
Now in its 32nd year, the 2010 A4DE will see 350 riders (ranging in ability from clubman-level to the country’s elite) battle for the Outright crown and national class titles.
Last year’s A4DE was held at Orange, NSW, and saw Motorex KTM’s Jarrod Bewley (then a member of the Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha Team) take the Outright victory over rookie and now teammate, Toby Price.
Bewley will have added competition this year, however, with five-time world champion, Yamaha’s Stefan Merriman, ready to race the A4DE for the first time since 2005.
Merriman, from Nelson’s Bay (NSW), was forced to withdraw from the 2009 A4DE at the last minute after suffering a broken bone in his shoulder at a state championship round.
OBMCC President Chris Dodd said preparations for the iconic race were on schedule and the club had received tremendous support from the motorcycle industry and riders.
“Everyone’s really excited about the race and we’re working tirelessly to make sure it’s an A4DE for the history books,” Dodd said.
“The industry’s been really supportive and we have a fantastic sponsor line-up: we are very pleased to announce Yamaha has come on board as naming rights sponsor for this year’s event.
“Riders are also showing a lot of interest and enthusiasm and I can assure anyone out there who is keen to experience an A4DE that the trails and special tests at the Portland A4DE will be a blast to ride.”
A4DE Course Coordinator Rick Braico said riders would enjoy fresh trail every day and a total of eight special tests.
“Four of the tests are grass tracks and four are enduro tests, each will only be ridden four times to ensure they don’t get too rough or worn,” Braico said.
“We’re making the course so riders have an honest day’s ride. When they get off the bike they’ll be tired, but it won’t be impossible.
“It’ll be the way an A4DE is supposed to be: a tough endurance race that most riders can finish and those who do finish will feel a real sense of accomplishment.”
Braico said the course would include a “good mix of terrain”, including single track, forrest roads and technical (but rideable) sections.
He said the terrain in the area had “a bit of a hardish bottom” and would be shaley in sections. Intermediate tyres would be recommended - “a couple of the tests are in paddocks so should be loamy,” he said.
Competitors and their support crews will also have access to all the creature comforts of home, with the staging area for the race (at Portland) located just 30-minutes drive from Lithgow and 40-minutes from Bathurst.
The 32nd annual A4DE will be held at Portland (near Lithgow, NSW) on April 8th to 11th, 2010.
Entries will be capped at 350 riders, supplementary regulations will be available from www.a4de2010.com.au early next week. The event boasts the following classes: E1 (100cc to 150cc 2-Stroke & 150cc to 250cc 4-stroke), E2 (175cc to 250cc 2-stroke & 275cc to 450cc 4-Stroke), E3 (290cc to 500cc 2-stroke & 475cc to 650cc 4-stroke), Veteran's (Over 35-years), Master's (Over 45-years) and Women All Powers.
The A4DE is the second largest enduro motorcycle race in the southern hemisphere and will attract 350 riders from across Australasia.
Hosting the event is the Oyster Bay Motorcycle Club, assisted by Central Tablelands Motocycle Club. The OBMCC is made up for more than 300 enduro-passionate members and is arguably one of the most successful and longest running enduro clubs in NSW. Central Tablelands Motocycle Club are the hosts of the famous Sunny Corner Rally, the yearly event that attracts nearly 800 riders.
The OBMCC would like to thank YAMAHA as well as the event’s remaining sponsors: KTM AUSTRALIA, HUSABERG AUSTRALIA, SPORTSCAMERA, PIRELLI TYRES, SUTTO’S M/C, NEWLITE TRAILERS, PRORIDER M/C, MUC-OFF, TRIPLE R M/C, UNIFILTER, WESTERN M/C, BARKBUSTERS and HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY.
A4DE info and news can be found at the official website: www.a4de2010.com.au