Tomorrow, I’m off to Carlisle for the biggest race on the ATRC calendar this year. Indeed it could be argued that it’s the biggest off-road event in the calendar in general.
The Centennial Rally is a three day forest-based rally starting in Carlisle city centre. It’s celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the International Six Day Trial, which went on to become the International Six Day Enduro. The course attempts to give a modern-day equivalent of the original 1913 event through a series of special tests over three days and almost 500 miles.
The paddock area and start will be by Carlisle Castle, in the city center which will make a change from the usual fields and tracks.
Wednesday : Paddock opens at 6pm.
Thursday: Signing on starts at noon, with scrutineering in the evening.
Friday : racing starts 10am. Approx 130 miles in total (3 laps)
Saturday : racing starts 8am. Approx 240 miles in total (3 laps)
Sunday : racing starts 9am. Approx 100 miles in total (2 laps)
On Friday and Sunday, there will be one special test per lap. The test length is around 13 miles.
On Saturday, there will be one special test per lap, around 9.3 miles long.
On all 3 days, there will be a preliminary sighting lap (1st lap).
On Saturday, we’ll enjoy an evening at the Swallow Hotel where there’ll be guest speakers including Edo Mossi, organiser of the Merzouga Rally, and Lyndon Poskitt with tales of his Dakar adventures earlier this year.
The truck is loaded, the bike is prepped, my jerry cans are filled and the fridge is full. Watch this space for updates as the event progresses.
For more info on the event visit: http://bigbikerallychallenge.co.uk/content/centennial-rally