The Tough One moves venue to the iconic Hawkstone Park for 2014. Beginning a new era for it’s 10th anniversary, the sandy Shropshire venue will witness the world’s best Hard Enduro riders go head to head on Saturday April 19.
With Graham Jarvis bidding for his fourth T1 win, David Knight looking for his sixth, Jonny Walker his first and everyone else out to stop them – it’s WOR Events mastermind Steve Ireland who oversees the whole thing. Enduro21 caught up with Steve to get a better of what to expect on Easter Saturday…
With just over one month to go and a world-class line up expected, are you excited for the race?
“I can’t wait. It’s The Tough One’s 10th anniversary and bringing it to Hawkstone Parks makes it all the more special. The line up of riders is world class. Finally, we get to see David Knight and Graham Jarvis go head to head. Everyone is dying to see that battle and we’re lucky enough to host it. But Jonny Walker – he’s got the measure of them – and won’t go down without a fight. There are so many other riders too. Paul Bolton, Alfredo Gomez, Andreas Lettenbichler, the Hemingways and more – it’s going to be great.”
Why the decision to move The Tough One to Hawkstone Park?
“After eight years at Nantmawr – The Tough One was also once held at Cowm Quarry – the venue had run it’s course and I was struggling to find ways of keeping it fresh. While I was thinking about moving, the landowner had a change of direction and sold the land surrounding the quarry so it was time to move on.”
Hawkstone Park is getting a Hard Enduro makeover…
Hawkstone is better known for motocross. How will you turn it into a world class Hard Enduro venue?
“The venue is famed for motocross but it’s also ready made for Hard Enduro too. Surrounded by woodland there’s an incredible amount of steep hill climbs and nasty descents to play with. We’re not stuck for choice that’s for sure. It’s going to be tough ride in the woods.”
What about the motocross track – how will that be used?
“Some iconic elements of the Hawkstone Park track will be kept in but we’re also building all the traditional T1 ingredients on the track that spectators love. There’ll be log crossings, tyre jumps, the lorry trailer and even some hanging dummies. When you mix these with the woodland sections and the deep sandy conditions it’s going to be tough as hell on the riders.”
Will the format of the race be different this year?
“Due to the size of the entry we’ve decided to run three races. The Sportsman will have a two-hour race and that will be followed by another two-hour race for Clubman and Clubman Vets. The Pro and Expert Vets three-hour race will start at 2pm.”
Why the decision to move from the traditional January date to April and Easter weekend?
“Red Bull were looking for an event to fill the gap between Hell’s Gate and Erzberg and since I was moving venue it fitted to have the race on Easter Saturday. Plus with better weather and easter eggs – what’s not to like about that!
The dummies are back!
What have been your best memories from Nantmawr Quarry?
“2008 was a great year when Cyril Despres, Taddy Blazusiak and David Knight all competed. Blazusiak and Dougie Lampkin going head to head in the Boulder Dash was mind blowing. But even just seeing the quarry floor rammed with cars due to the tremendous support we received from the public has been incredible. I’ll miss the place. I made a lot of good friends at Nantmawr – even the landowner is a good mate of mine now – but the show moves on and Hawkstone Park is it.”
From sand to rocks, steep hills and a physically challenging race, will it take the best all round rider to win the 2014 The Tough One?
“Yes. It will take a rider with the complete skill set to win. That’s what makes it hard to call. Guys like Graham Jarvis will excel in the trials type going and then an animal like David Knight will blast the sandy motocross course to its limits. You will have to find the right balance to go the three-hour distance and win.”
The Tough One takes place in Hawkstone Park on Saturday April 19. Don’t miss it!
There’ll still be plenty of this!
EVENT TIMETABLE:
06:00 – GATES OPEN FOR RIDERS & SPECTATORS
08:30 – The 2014 TOUGH ONE SPORTSMAN RACE 2hrs
10.45 – Presentation for Sportsman Race
11:15 – THE 2014 TOUGH ONE CLUBMAN / CMAN VETS RACE 2hrs
13.30 – Presentation for Clubman race
14.00 – THE 2014 TOUGH ONE HARD ENDURO Pro/ Expert / Expert vets 3hrs
17.15 – Presentation and awards ceremony for PRO and expert riders.
Spectator Info:
NO TICKET REQUIRED.
£15 p/p on the gate
Under 10’s FREE
Family rate at the gate
Car Parking FREE
Camping £10 PER VEHICLE per night (either Fri or Sat night)
Postcode – SY4 4NA