A surprising result for Stan Watt at Round 1 of the PMCRC championship where he took the opportunity to sample the KTM500 EXC, which will be the primary weapon for Stan as he starts preparing for a year of international rally events, culminating in Dakar 2013.

Expecting to experience a bit of a battering due to jumping back on the big four stroke from the KTM300XC, the wet conditions and not riding competitively for 5 weeks; it ws therefore a fairly pleasant surprise not only to get off the line in a respectable 4th position but to maintain a pace that stretched an immediate gap to those behind.

Daniel Price had set the pace from the start and was not going to be caught but Stan was able to move up the field to 2nd place by the 2hr mark, having an ongoing battle with Lawerence Cat and Rob Carey in the process.

With only two laps to go, Stan appeared to have 2nd in the bag when he was taken down by a slower rider on the fastest section of the course. As he was picking himself up, Rob Carey had moved into 2nd and Stan was not going to be able to catch him and make the pass before the chequered flag.

A very respectable 3rd place and its a look forward to improving the KTM500 for the next outing.

FRGB

The Dakar Organisors (ASO) have now released the preliminary route for Dakar 2013.

Front Row GB have committed to competing in Dakar 2013. The confirmed team will be released soon but will initially comprise of Stan Watt plus one other rider as an assisting function.. The intention is to continue with the current supporting sponsors and maintain the relationship with using the KTM 450 RR.

The techincal crew will remain unchanged with Dave 'Oz' Marton heading this as Team crew-chief.

ASO Release - Dakar 2013: Exceptional is the watch word

03/21/12

The 35th edition of the Dakar will also be the 5th to take place on the South American continent, which has hosted the event since 2009. From 5th to 20th January 2013, the competitors will follow the route between Lima in Peru and Santiago in Chile, with a rest day planned at San Miguel de Tucuman in Argentina. The desert will be on the programme from the first days of the rally, for the first time in its history.

Several weeks ago, the riders and drivers on the Dakar discovered the Peruvian version of the desert. Struck by its splendour but also its technical demands, in this setting of sea and sand, they experienced a highly intense sequence before the finish in Lima. For the next edition, the Peruvian capital will play host to the start of the rally, with the promise of holding an exceptional challenge in store for those who take part; one that is simply equal to the test they have to face each year.

At the end of the journey, the rally will finish for the first time in Santiago. Chile, which, in the Atacama, has been the theatre to most of the unpredictable developments during the last four editions, will have the opportunity to celebrate the heroes of the Dakar in its capital city. Over the thousands of kilometres that they will have to tackle, the competitors will distance themselves from the Pacific Ocean as the event is spiced up by a detour via Argentina. On the other side of the Andes Mountains, the variety of terrains will put all the competitors' capacities to adapt to the test.

With a reworked spread of difficulties and a new perspective on the discovery of the continent's geography, the Dakar 2013 is emerging as the event for which both the elite and amateurs of the rally raid discipline prepare all year long.

Registration will open for all the categories (bikes, quads, cars and trucks) on 15th May.

PERU, episode II

Grand Start + 5 stages

The discovery of Peru thrilled everybody who reached this stage of the rally in 2012. This time, all the riders, drivers and crews will be able to test their mettle on the largest chains of dunes crossed on the continent since 2009. The Dakar has never before started in the middle of the desert in its history. Whilst the dosage of difficulties will decide just how and when the pressure rises, there will be no room for improvisation in 2013.

ARGENTINA and its many facets
5 stages + rest day

Once it crosses the Andes Mountains, after a first visit to Chile, the rally will encounter a different face of South America: one that guarantees a broad range of terrains which smile primarily upon flexibility. In Argentina, the capacity to adapt will be vital to switch from one type of riding and driving to another and between different methods of managing the race. Although the ration of sand will be less dense, the visit to Gaucho country will nevertheless finish with a major test in which only genuine experts in desert riding and driving will be at ease.

CHILE: a double and capital dose
4 stages + finish

Two distinct sequences will be played out in Chile and each of them will be decisive. The return to the Atacama corresponds with the phase of the Dakar where competitors navigate in the domain of extreme endurance. As a challenge of ultimate resistance, the sessions in the dunes will continue up to the day before the finish. Before reaching Santiago, the competitors will have to tame difficulties of the highest order right up to the end.

Date: Friday, March 16, 2012

Meet Stan Watt, Toby Younger and experience the Dakar Rally on 5 April at Crescent KTM!!

The 2012 Dakar may have been over for some time, but as the South American continent heads into autumn, the UK is gearing up for what should be an amazing year of biking. Crescent KTM’s Stan Watt, who made the headlines with his epic ride through the ranks to finish the Dakar in 34th place after being relegated to 87th after the first day, will share his adventures and bring along his Crescent KTM 450 Factory Replica – exactly as it finished the incredible 9,000km event – as well as the team’s quick response 4x4 and event support truck.

As well as showing some stunning unseen video footage, Stan will personally take you through his gruelling 16 day trip sharing all the highs and lows the toughest race on the planet throws at you – including how to finish a 300km stage with no throttle twistgrip after a 100mph crash! Stan will answer questions put by Crescent MD Paul Denning and any personal questions from all those who attend – it promises to be a fascinating insight into how a private entrant approaches motorcycling’s true “iron-man” event and tries to compete with the world’s best riders.

Alongside Stan Watt, Crescent KTM is happy to welcome fellow Brit, Toby Younger, who won the hearts of both the British and South American fans after finishing the gruelling event on his first attempt. From having his kit stolen before the race, to sleeping two nights in the desert with his bike, crashing, and towing his (later to retire) team mate Jago Pickering for hours - Younger’s tales will amaze all. As well as his fascinating stories, he will be revealing his motivation behind taking part in the event, and promoting the charities he has supported along the way.

In addition to its Dakar involvement, Crescent KTM is also heavily involved in other off-road championships, with its sponsorship of multiple British & European Enduro Champion Daryl Bolter and MX Vets World Championship rider Phil Lewis. Check out their stunning bikes and catch up with the guys about their seasons and what they are expecting from 2012 – and maybe even get some riding tips while you’re there!

To mark the event, Crescent Motorcycles’ Verwood showroom will be transformed into an orange haven with KTM stunners from wall to wall, featuring the full off- and on-road offering from the popular Austrian brand.

990 Adventure R - Cairoli Replica - Roczen Replica - 690 Duke - 690 SMC-R - Duke 125 - RC8R - 250 EXC-F - 350XC-F -...and many more!

Add to this a full selection of KTM Power Parts, as well as its awesome clothing range featuring the full Kini, Hydroteq and Adventure kit, and you’ll have enough clothing to last you for a few Dakars of your own!

The evening is on Thursday 5th April, starts at 7:30pm and will run approximately until 9:30pm, with light refreshments provided throughout. It is completely free and everyone is welcome to come and join the experience. If you have any questions about the evening or need information about getting to Crescent Motorcycles in Verwood, please check out our website or give us a call on 01202 820170

Pallington Forest was the location for round 1 of the Southern Counties Enduro Championship.

With unseasonal warm and dry February weather, the forestry ground was in perfect condition for the 180 riders and attracted some stiff competition up front with Nick Life, Steve Holcombe, Danny Hall, Jack Twentyman, Brad King, Gary Wright, Gary McCoy, Tyson Mayton Jones, Steve Harding, and a few others.

Stan was on the new KTM300XC and was generally guessing suspension setup, with springs just arriving the day before. The flag fell 15 minutes later than expected and the Championship class was underway for the 3 hour event.

Stan actually got away fairly well, and instead of setting off near the back he went through the first few corners holding 12th position. With the 300KTM immediately feeling good, he made a few passes and was gifted a couple of places with fallers.

As the front runners started to make their way into the main section of forestry, Stan pulled up behind Gary Wright and Gary Holland. Usually this would set the scene for an epic race, but Stan moved past the pair easily and that as the last he seen of them.

By the end of lap two Stan had pulled up to 4th place and was running 15 seconds off the back of Nick Life. The top 4 riders would remain in situ for the duration of the race with Steve Holcombe bringing it home, followed by Nick Life, Brad King and Stan a few minutes behind.

Although 4th overall, this was an excellent result for Stan, showing some quick riders a clean pair of heels and stayed strong to the end of the 3 hours. The Edmondson Racing KTM300XC performed exceptionally well.

Next event - Midwest Racing Enduro 4th March 2012

FRGB