Le Touquet Enduropale - Day 2 - The Quad Race |
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File under Racing France
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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The quad race started 15 minutes early, due to a faster than expected high tide !!!
The quad race has a running start, i.e., the riders must run to their quad:
The drivers are patiently waiting, in the cold, for the signal. Many had brought jackets and rain coats, which they left on the ground when they ran to their quad.
The quads were lined up some 30 meters away.
At the signal (a flare), all of the drivers ran to their quads.
They had to start the quad, something that wasn't easy. In fact, the favorite driver spent a good minute extra trying to get the quad to start.
And off they went, with a massive roar. 240 quads went past.... the ground shook !
The "parade" took ages, since some slower quads had managed to start faster, but were holding up the other contestants.
The water and sand spray was so enormous, that it looked like a fine mist had descended on the beach.
The public was waiting patiently for the quads to return, after the beach run at top speed, the quads had to continue the race within the circuit.
The first ones came jumping over the whoops.
The first 50 odd riders were obviously pros. What came after were not...
Rush hour in the dunes.
Some of the turns had massive ruts, so not easy for a quad.
Many quads were hindering others, not only with their own quad, but with the dirt spray.
After the 3rd round, the first ones already were lapping some backmarkers.
The speeds were high, specially if you consider the vehicle.
Many of the quads got airborne. Quite an interesting sight.
They kept going around and around..
Some had problems controlling their quad in the ruts.
While others put on a good show, trying to wheelie their quads in front of the gathered journalists.
Fast racers. Don't ask me who they are, I don't "do" quads....(there's probably a "Quads in the Fast Lane" magazine)
Bottlenecks....
Obviously a female contestant (I think).
Small accident...
When you're stuck and dug-in, this is the way to get out.
So that's today's reporting. Tomorrow is motorcycle day, and will be quite busy since it's the main event. The interesting part of the racer list, is that Cyril Despres is racing on the new KTM 950 !!! I think he's the only one of such a big motorcycle...
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