Beru East-Enduro-Challenge – They call it “The Challenge”

The East-Enduro-Challenge is an Enduro race in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, state Thuringia, Germany.

The 17th edition of the popular race was held on the September 4, 2010.

After large amount of rain in the weeks leading up to the event the organisers were thinking of calling off the event. With riders still happy to compete, the race was held in varying conditions that ranged from muddy to extremely muddy. The winner of the event was local hero Nils Sunkel riding a KTM250, who managed to power around the loop 3 times and finish ahead of all his competitors. The weather really helped, with mother nature dropping a nasty rain shower on the rest of the competition. Most of the riders struggled with the track in 2010 due to the extreme conditions and with two special tests a slippery grass track and an acceleration test, which is basically a drag race over 200m on a dirt bike then coming to a stop within a specified distance. Both of which were common for Enduro races back in the 60’s.

The 70km loop has many Enduro style obstacles, and is hard enough to complete when dry — but when it’s wet it is incredibly difficult. Erzberg is known for the climb and physical endurance needed to complete and this race is much the same, just without the massive rock pit at the start. Along the track are plenty of bike-swallowing bog holes and dark heavily rutted-and-rooted forest trails to test both your mental and physical toughness along the way.

Over 1000 Off-Road enthusiasts try to get a start number every year for this year. But only 550 are allowed to start the event, and only half of them will be “lucky” enough to see the finish line.

This year’s overall winner was Nils Sunkel (KTM 250), with Roy Kroll (KTM 250) and Jens Pester (Honda 490) coming second and third respectively.

Check out the club’s website www.mc-isolator.de for more pictures and information (get the translator ready) http://www.mc-isolator.de/seiten/rennberichtBEEC.php.

With the 2012 Six Days to be held in Germany maybe an Australian should go over and have a go at this?

Pics: Norbert Gunther