Pressure high in tough motorcycle event

PAPUA New Guinea’s toughest off-road motorcycle event, the 2011 Boroko Motors Bamfield Enduro, has stepped up the pressure and the prizemoney with a record K10,000 offered to the first rider to complete the eight-hour event single handed.
Now in its fifth year, the homegrown event has increased its toughness every season from its humble beginnings in 2006 when it began as a two-hour event held at the Mendoza estate just outside Port Moresby.
The event has grown into one of the toughest off-road competitions in PNG with riders attending from across the country.
This year, the heat has been turned up as riders will be asked to tackle the rugged Central’s terrain and stifling November temperatures for eight hours, accruing as many laps over the 17km course within that time period.
The recently set course offered numerous challenges across the unforgiving track and shall be a real test of man and machine.
The event is broken into two classes as well as two sets of prize money, the Boroko Motors Iron Man Class which is a solo rider effort and the Islands Petroleum Pony Express Class which is a team event of two riders, taking turns.
Being the last event of the year, it is a sprint to the finish to grab the 25 points awarded to the overall season winner.
The grab for 2011 Season Crown has been thrown wide open with the departure of Yamaha rider Shannon Gee , leaving Jason James, Peter Jackson, Neil Papenfus and Daan Van Pletzen all within a few points striking distance of coming out the season on top.
Rumours that wild card racer, Chris Pevy is expected return to compete and can not be ruled out as capable of taking the K10,000 prize money.
Also returning to the starting grid are the dynamic duo of Max Beagrie and Andrew Edwards aboard the fire breathing big bore Swedish brand Husaberg 570.
Having not raced for most of 2011, the duo is likely to team up for the Pony Express Class which is sure to be well-supported.
South African gun rider Daan Van Pletzen is now at crossroads regarding his availability for the event and would be an odds on favourite to take the event out should he compete.
The 2011 Bamfield Enduro will also be the Port Moresby Club president Jackson’s last event in PNG before he returns to Australia.
“After seven years, building the club has been my passion, however after setting up this nasty eight-hour Enduro event, pretty sure the guys will be glad to see the back of me”.   
The 2011 Boroko Motors Eight-Hour Enduro starts at 5.30am on Nov 27.
For further details and entry forms on the event contact Port Moresby Motorcycle Club via email on [email protected] .
The Port Moresby Motorcycle Club meets every Thursday at the South Pacific Motor Sports Club.