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2007 RACE SEASON

Triple-D Motosport are pleased to announce that for the 07 season they will be supporting Tom Sagar on a D3 KTM 450 EXC for BEC and Junior World Championships, we will also be supporting multi world and GNCC champ Juha Salminen at British championships.

2007 Race Reports - Read about each race completed by D3 this season, including the World and British Enduro Championship's + various cross-country and extreme events.

The Tough One January 20th - Great start for Tom on the D3-Racing 250

CLICK HERE For the 2007 off-road calender for all UK Enduro and cross-country events and you can down load entry details and regs.

2006 Race Results and Reports

Erzberg Red Bull Rodeo, Austria, 25th-28th May, more than 1200 riders
full race report soon

21st May Round 2 WOR GBHS, Perfect Debut for the all new KTM 250 EXC-F CLICK HERE

8/9th April, Round 2 WEC, Guimareas, Portugal, hot weather and a tough course but David once again mastered the conditions, CLICK HERE for the race report

15/16th April, Round 2 BEC, Scotland, Business as usual for David Knight and D3-Racing KTM, CLICK HERE for the race report

9th April WOR GBHS RD 1, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, Knighter wins again in muddy conditions, CLICK HERE

18/19th March Round 1 of World Enduro Championship in Sweden, Snow and ice but nothing stops DK from taking another win CLICK HERE

25th February, Brandon Park, Round 1 of British Enduro Championship, another great start to the season. CLICK HERE

4th February, Genoa, Italy indoor Enduro Knighter wins yet again on his trusty KTM 300 EXC. CLICK HERE for race report.

21st January, Wirral Off-Roads "The KTM Tough One", read the race report here about the most exciting off-road UK event for quite some time, CLICK HERE

Triple-D Motosport are pleased to announce that they will continue with support and sponsorship of the North Riding Enduro clubs events in 2006, CLICK HERE to find out about all their great events in the North of England.

Event Reports 2005

FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 8
Maxxis GP of Greece - Serres, Greece

Knighter wins E3 World title in Greece

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight became ’05 Enduro 3 World Champion at the eighth round of the World Enduro Championship, staged in Serres, Greece, following two dominant class winning performances. Having only been beaten once this season during world championship competition, on the 13th day of the series in Finland, Knighter again performed at his best and deservedly claimed his first world title.

Knowing that he could claim the title at the penultimate round of the series Knighter started day one cautiously despite setting the pace in the E3 class. Once comfortable with his riding he upped his speed as he has at each and every previous round of the series. By the mid-way point of the race he had opened up a commanding lead. Not wanting to push any harder than needed David then slowed his pace slightly but maintained his position at the front of the class and topped the first day by close to one-minute.

Needing to finish inside the top three on day two to claim his first world championship title, David attacked the opening lap to open up a comfortable lead at the head of the E3 class. Deciding then to ride a little more cautiously David fell on the enduro test on lap two but remained at the head of the class.

The third and final lap of the event proved simply to be a formality for David as he maintained his lead of over 40 seconds ahead of team-mate Marko Tarkkala. Well aware that the E3 title was all but his, Knighter opted to have a little fun during the final extreme test of the event and entertained the large crown that had gathered to watch. With his mother waiting at the end of the test to congratulate him, Knighter was mobbed by his KTM team as he rode out of the final test of the event to claim yet another day E3 world championship day win but more importantly his first ever world championship title.

The final round of the ’05 WEC series takes place in Italy on October 15-16

David Knight: “It’s great to have won the title with one round to go because it means that I can have some fun in Italy now. Winning the title is something that I have been working hard to do all season so to finally be crowned world champion is fantastic. I wasn’t really nervous, it’s has just been difficult to know hard to push on the special tests. I didn’t want to do anything stupid and not be able to win.
“On day one I settled into the first couple of tests and then started to push a little harder. I knew that I could win because I had a good lead after three or four tests. I just cracked on at a good pace and had a good, big lead at the end of the day. I really, really enjoyed day one.
“Knowing that I just had to finish inside the top three to win the title gave me something to focus on during day three. I pushed hard on the first lap and had a good lead. I backed off a bit in the second lap. Near the end of the second lap I nailed it out of a corner near the end of the enduro test in front of my mum and a few others that had come to watch me and ended up on my arse.
“I went really carefully on the last lap apart from on the motocross test. It was easier and safer to attack that, which is what I did. I knew that I could take it really easily on the final test of the race, which meant that I could have some fun.
“Winning the world title is obviously what I have been working towards all season so to have finally done it is a great feeling. Since I was a kid I have always wanted to be world champion. When I was a kid I wanted to win a trials world championship, then when I started racing the world enduro championship I wanted to win an enduro world championship. I knew from the start of the year when I was testing with the Farioli KTM team that I could win this season. Once I had won the first three or four races I knew that the title was mine to win.
“This season has been the hardest year of my life in many ways, as well as the season that I finally realised my dream of winning the world championship. Losing my father made me work harder than ever, especially during the second half of this year. I promised the ol’ man that I would win the title, so this one’s for him.
“I want to thank everyone that has helped and supported me this season. Not only KTM, my team and all the team sponsors, but everyone that has supported me.”

Results – Day 1
Enduro 3 class

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 45:50.220; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 46:49.998; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 46:50.897; 4. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 46:59.156; 5. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 47:01.144; 6. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 47:55.289; 7. Alessio Paoli (TM) 47:55.529; 8. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 48:47.974; 9. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 49:12.520; 10. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 49:35.239;

Results – Day 2
Enduro 3 class

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 53:20.665; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 54:09.540; 3. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 54:17.992; 4. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 54:21.178; 5. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 54:54.184; 6. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 55:30.486; 7. Alessio Paoli (TM) 55:35.845; 8. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 55:54.306; 9. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 56:09.005; 10. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 57:46.110;

27/28th Aug 2005 FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 7

Scott GP of Finland, Heinola, Finland

Knight closes in on world enduro title

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight moved one step closer to claiming his first ever world enduro championship title following a runner-up and first place finish in the Enduro 3 class at the GP of Finland. Despite finishing as runner-up to his KTM team-mate Marko Tarkkala on day one - the 13th day of the championship, Knighter returned to his dominant best on day two to finish top of the E3 class and as the event’s fastest rider.

Knowing that beating Tarkkala in Finland would be difficult, and not wanting to take any risks, David placed just 16 seconds behind the Finn on day one and comfortably ahead of all other riders in the event. Topping six of the day’s special tests, a crash on the enduro test on lap three effectively ended David’s hopes of winning.

On day two Knight returned to the top of the event’s E3 results winning all but two of the day’s 12 special tests. Finishing a massive one minute and 23 seconds ahead of Tarkkala, David put himself in a position to claim the ’05 Enduro 3 World Enduro Championship title at the penultimate round of the series.

The next round of the ’05 WEC series takes place in Greece in October 15-16.

David Knight: “I was happy enough with the way things went on day one although it would have been nice to have won. I knew coming here that I would find it hard to beat Tarkkala and be the hardest race of the year to win so to finish second in class and second overall is pretty good. I was leading after the first lap but Marko was really fast on the enduro team. Everything went well on day one only Marko was riding a gear above everyone else.

“Day two was better for me. I fitted a different front tyre, which worked better that the one I chose for day one, and didn’t really do anything else different to how I did on day one. I just seemed to feel more comfortable on the bike and was able to push a little harder.

“I think that part of the reason I didn’t win on day one was because I have spent the past three weeks riding in the sand thinking that the event would be really sandy. It took a while to feel comfortable with all the rocks. Being the 13th day of the championship I didn’t want to take any risks either – winning the world title is what is important.”

Results – Day 1

Enduro 3 class

1. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 52:29.26; 2. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli ) 52:45.82; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 54:41.72; 4. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 55:07.39; 5. Alessio Paoli (TM) 55:36.86; 6. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 56:08.56; 7. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 56:12.21; 8. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 56:17.44; 9. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 56:30.53; 10. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 56:34.07

Results – Day 2

Enduro 3 class

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 57:01.24; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 58:24.47; 3. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 58:54.37; 4. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 1.01:07.61; 5. Alessio Paoli (TM) 1.01:07.68; 6. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 1.01:55.53; 7. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 1.01:59.43; 8. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 1.02:10.76; 9. Heikki Timonen (KTM) 1.02:37.80; 10. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 1.03:00.14

13/14th Aug 2005 British Enduro Championship:WTRA organised Crychan Enduro

Knight claims overall victory at BEC Rnd 3

D3-Racing factory KTM rider David Knight claimed the overall win at the third round of the British Enduro Championship after finishing as Championship class runner-up on day one before going on top the event outright on day two. With conditions at there absolute worse on day one, David finished as one of just four Championship class riders to remain on time and finished the shortened day just five seconds behind Paul Edmondson. On day two Knight returned to the top of the Championship class results where he placed 14 seconds ahead of Edmondson.

Topping the opening test of day one things looked good for Knight before the heavens opened and rain turned the event into a true case of survival of the fittest. With Edmondson topping the second test of the day, Knight and Edmondson finished with identical times on the third test before disaster struck Knight on the penultimate test. While trying to ride cautiously around a slippery off camber turn the Manxman’s bigKTM stalled and slipped to the bottom of the turn. Loosing valuable seconds re-starting his bike, Knight then topped the final test of the day but had to settle for the Championship class runner-up spot.

On day two Knight returned to the top, winning all but one of the event’s five special tests which were better suited to an 80cc than the big 525. With conditions very much drier, despite still being extremely challenging, David finished 14 seconds ahead of Edmondson to extend his lead in the British Enduro Championship with just one round remaining.

David now heads to Finland for round seven of the Maxxis FIM World Enduro Championship where he remains unbeaten in the Enduro 3 class so far this season.

David Knight: “It was a really hard event to be riding a big four-stroke in, but I enjoyed it. I’m disappointed that I didn’t win on both days but I guess that considering how muddy it was I can’t be too disappointed. My 300 KTM two stroke would have been a better choice here on all these slippy cambers and tight turns, but its been excellent training and my D3 prepared KTM has worked great despite the hard time its had over the two days.

“The conditions on the first day were horrendous, I haven’t ridden in conditions that bad for a long time – it just didn’t stop raining. The day started well and I won the opening test but on the MX2 test I struggled to get grip on the front end on the slippery off camber turns. I was ok on the straights and the corners with ruts but I was losing time on the cambered corners. My bike stalled on the last run through the MX2 test, which cost me the win. I was going really slowly around a turn when my bike just slid away from me and stalled.

“On the second day things weren’t so bad although it was still hard work riding around the MX2 test with all the off cambers. As it dried up and got a bit more rutted I was able to push harder. Like I said I’m frustrated with making a mistake on day one but happy with the way I rode.”

Results – Day 1

Championship class (overall)

1. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 1600.34

2. David Knight (D3-Racing factory KTM) 1605.19

3. Paul Whibley (Gas Gas) 1664.91

4. Edward Jones (KTM) 1678.53

5. Robert Jones (Yamaha) 1807.02

 

Results day 2

Championship class (overall)

1. David Knight (D3-Racing Factory KTM) 1515.37

2. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 1529.93

3. Edward Jones (KTM) 1587.15

4. Wayne Braybrook (Honda) 1614.79

5. Paul Whibley (Gas Gas) 1619.22

 

FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 6
AMV GP of France, Digne Les Bains, France July 23/24th

Knighter continues his WEC domination

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight continued his domination of the Enduro 3 World Championship claiming two more E3 class wins at the GP of France held in Digne Les Bains. Unbeaten so far in ’05, Knighter topped day one by one minute and 23 seconds before stretching his winning advantage to one minute and 28 seconds on day two. In topping the E3 class David finished both day’s as the event’s outright fastest rider.

Faced with dry and dusty conditions similar to those he competed in at the third round of the European Enduro Championship in Wales one week prior to the French GP, Knighter topped all but one special test in the E3 class on day one. As has been the case at so many WEC events this season, David’s KTM team-mate Marko Tarkkala from Finland placed a distant second on the opening day. Knight and Tarkkala were followed home by Frenchman Seb Guillaume.

On the rougher second day Knight experienced problems with his front forks but still managed to win comfortably. Again winning all but one of the day’s special tests, David made just one mistake on the extreme test on the third lap. Coming close to crashing the E3 championship leader found himself beaten by just one hundredth of a second. Knight was again followed home by Tarkkala and Guillaume and as a result of his double class win further extended his lead at the top of the E3 world championship standings.

The next round of the ’05 WEC series takes place in Finland on August 27-28.

David Knight: “It’s been another great weekend for me, I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better than it has. Day one went really well. My bike ran perfectly, I was riding well, and I opened up a good lead and then just made sure that I didn’t make any mistakes. I enjoyed day one probably better than any other day from this year’s world championship. It was pretty tough because of the heat and the special test were all pretty technical and really rough. It was good because the three tests were close together.
“Day two was also pretty good although I made a mistake on the extreme test on the third lap. The course and the special test were really, really rough and the dust was a bit of a problem as well in places. My forks started to leak oil mid-way through the day so I had to swap them for anther set while they got fixed. I didn’t feel as comfortable with the second set so I didn’t push too hard. Once I put my race forks back in everything was much better. The whole weekend has been great.”

Results – Day 1
Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 42:36.05; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 43:59.38; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 44:19.04; 4. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 45:03.78; 5. Alessio Paoli (TM) 45:05.65; 6. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 45:06.41; 7. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 45:08.41; 8. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 45:48.15; 9. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 46:22.23; 10. Steve Dufay (Husaberg) 46:26.51

Results – Day 2
Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 47:42.48; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 49:10.51; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 49:40.73; 4. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 50:18.14; 5. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 50:37.01; 6. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 50:40.16; 7. Alessio Paoli (TM) 50:56.94; 8. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 52:08.47; 9. Steve Dufay (Husaberg) 52:23.76; 10. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 52:28.88;


European Enduro Championship: Round 3
GP of Wales, Llanidloes, Mid Wales 16/17th July

David Knight dominates EEC third round

D3-Racing/KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight claimed two comfortable day wins at the Husqvarna Hafren Forest Enduro, round three of the European Enduro Championship, held in Mid Wales this past weekend. Despite competing as a ‘no points scorer’ due to past world championship placings, Knighter decided to compete in the event in preparation for the upcoming sixth round of the WEC series, which takes place in the south of France on July 23-14.

Winning every test outright on day one not even a fall on the first corner of the first test of day two could stop Knighter from winning as he remounted to post the test’s fastest time and go on to finish the day unbeaten. Topping day one by 35 seconds, David then upped his pace around the rougher special tests on day two and extended his winning margin to 42 seconds, even finding time for a few motorcycle acrobatics en route to his day two win.

Competing alongside David in the D3-Racing KTM team and taking part in his first EEC event was US rider Kurt Caselli. Finishing a distant third in the International class on day one as well as in fourth in the Absolute results, Caselli then performed better in the dry and dusty conditions of day two and placed as runner-up in both the International class and the Absolute results.

David Knight: “It’s been a great couple of days, I’m pleased that I decided to enter the event because the dry conditions were excellent practice for the sixth round of the World Enduro Championship in France this coming weekend. It was nice to compete in an international event without too much pressure.
“Everything went pretty much as I hoped it would and on day one and winning by 35 seconds from Edmondson and then 42 seconds from Caselli was great. I only made one mistake during the event and that was on the first test on the second day. I clipped a post on the inside of the turn and it jammed by front brake on. Apart from that I didn’t make any mistakes, rode pretty well and had some fun towards the end of the second day. It was really enjoyable event.”

FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 5

GP of Czech Republic, Most, Czech Republic - 2nd/3rd July

David Knight dominates Czech Republic GP

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight extended his lead in the Enduro 3 class of the ’05 World Enduro Championship to 47 points with yet another double class victory, this time at the Czech Republic GP. Despite coming into the event with an injured right arm, the result of a crash during a pre-event training session, Knighter continued his winning ways claiming victory by 19 seconds on day one and 34 seconds on day two.

With day one starting wet Knight made the most of the challenging conditions and opened up a small advantage at the head of the class. Despite struggling with his concentration during the opening two laps of the day, and with less than 10 minutes of special tests per lap, Knight then upped his pace and pulled away from his rivals on the third and final lap. Despite being fast in the extreme, motocross and enduro test, David was chased hard by French two-stroke mounted rider Seb Guillaume with his KTM team-mate Marko Tarkkala claiming third. In topping the E3 class on day one Knight placed as the overall second fastest rider in the event behind Enduro 2 class rider Samuli Aro.

On day two Knight was back at his dominant best and comfortably topped the Enduro 3 class. Winning the opening special test, he then continued to outpace his class rivals during the day and arrived at the finish some 30 seconds in front of Tarkkala with Mika Ahola in third. Much less distracted on day two than he had been on day one, Knight enjoyed the revised course and drying special test conditions.

The next round of the ’05 WEC series takes place in France on July 23/24.

David Knight: “Day one went ok. I just couldn’t get into it though. I kept thinking of all sorts of stuff and couldn’t keep focused. It didn’t help having so few tests and so much time at all the checks. Like I said, it went ok though. I got my ass into gear eventually and won, which I was pleased with. I didn’t make any mistakes, I just got held up by a few riders on some of the tests.

“I felt completely different when I woke in the morning of day two. I don’t know what it was but I was much more focused, I really wanted to ride. As soon as I won the first test I knew that I would be able to win by much more than I did on day one. I really enjoyed the shorter course, as well as all the special tests. I was able to play around in the special tests like I was at the start of the season. I didn’t make any mistakes all weekend and to maintain my unbeaten record is great. I’m really looking forward to the next round of the championship in France now.”

Results – Day 1

1. David Knight (KTM) 22:16.61; 2. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 22:35.89; 3. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 22:40.44; 4. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 22:44.63; 5. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 22:55.04; 6. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 23:10.36; 7. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 23:20.27; 8. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 23:22.62; 9. Alessio Paoli (TM) 23:27.25; 10. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 23:40.28;

Results – Day 2

Enduro 3

1. David Knight (KTM) 34:02.43; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 34:50.50; 3. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 34:57.89; 4. Alessandro Zanni (Honda) 35:07.91; 5. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 35:15.09; 6. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 35:47.57; 7. Alessio Paoli (TM) 35:47.66; 8. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 35:56.68; 9. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 36:05.74; 10. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 36:39.34

FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 4

GP of Spain, Gernika, Northern Spain

Knighter cleans up at WEC round 4

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight claimed his fourth double Enduro 3 class win of the ’05 season at the GP of Spain in Gernika to extend his lead at the top of the E3 championship to 39 points. Comfortably winning the Enduro 3 class on both days, Knight also finished the event as the fastest overall rider, irrespective of class, on both days.

Just one week after claiming victory at the gruelling Erzburg Rodeo in Austria Knighter arrived at the WEC’s second Spanish event confident of maintaining his world championship winning streak – and he did. With the event featuring three very different, but also much shorter, special tests than previous rounds of the series, fine weather and four laps of an enjoyable course made for some of the championships closest racing yet.

On day one Knighter soon found his rhythm despite thinking on occasions that he was still racing aboard his 300cc two-stroke. Overshooting a couple of corners during the opening two laps, David steadily opened up what would become a 30 second winning margin. Making no major mistakes during the opening day’s competition Knighter again proved too fast for his competitors.

On day two David again set the pace in the E3 class winning all but one of the day’s 12 special test. Even faster than he had been on day one, David placed his KTM just under one minute ahead of his nearest rival, Finn Marko Tarkkala. With the ’05 WEC series all but at the half way stage David now sits comfortably at the head of the E3 championship, some 39 points clear of his Finnish team-mate. In winning the E3 category in Spain Knight also played an important part in ensuring that the KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli squad topped the Team competition.

David Knight: “It’s been another great weekend for me although I kept overshooting corners early on day one. I think it was because I raced a 300cc two-stroke last weekend at Erzburg and didn’t have any time to go training on my 500 before this weekend. Once I’d ridden a few laps I was ok and didn’t have any more problems. With the special tests being quite short I really thought that there would only be hundredths of seconds between the top riders, so to win by just over half a minute on day one was good.

“I found day two was a bit easier, I think it was because I was getting used to the bike again. The only problem I had was that I kept going for a kick starter thinking it was my 300, forgetting that my four-stroke race bike has a button! I nearly hit a fox in one of the enduro special tests but apart from that I didn’t have any problems at all. The event got better as it went on. The tests were good fun and winning again just made it better.”

Results – Day 1

Enduro 3

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 35:50.77; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 36.23.73; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 36:30.31; 4. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 37:14.25; 5. Alex Zanni (Honda) 37:18.24; 6. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 37:30.69; 7. Alessio Paoli (TM) 37:36.90; 8. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 38:03.03; 9. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 38:08.50; 10. Sebastien Denis (Husqvarna) 38:33.20;

Results – Day 2

Enduro 3

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 42:05.59; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 43:02.62; 3. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 43:33.84; 4. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 43:55.74; 5. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 44:08.23; 6. Alex Zanni (Honda) 44:10.64; 7. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 44:13.71; 8. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 44:39.88; 9. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 44:42.06; 10. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 44:57.11;

FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship: Round 3

GP of Italy, Tolmezzo, Italy

David Knight dominates World Enduro Championship Rnd 3

KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight claimed two Enduro 3 class victories at the GP of Italy to extend his E3 championship advantage to 33 points over his Finnish team-mate Marko Tarkkala. Dominating the E3 class and the event on day 1 Knighter finished close to one minute and 15 seconds ahead of his nearest class rival on Saturday and 30 seconds ahead on day two.

On day one Knighter was simply unbeatable in the Enduro 3 class winning all nine of the day’s special tests, something no other class winner was able to match. Comfortably faster than his class mates on both the Extreme and Enduro special tests, Knighter extended his winning advantage test on test to claim the day’s biggest winning margin. In doing so he further extended his E3 championship advantage.

Knowing that he didn’t need to take any risks on day two to claim another win, Knighter simply did enough to open up a comfortable advantage at the head of the E3 class before then upping his pace during laps two and three. Riding well within himself, David topped seven of the day’s nine special tests to claim another 25 points.

David Knight: “Day one went really well but I didn’t know how far ahead I was because the information we were getting at the end of the tests wasn’t always correct. I just pushed on but didn’t ride above myself and at the end of the day I had a comfortable advantage over the other riders. I really enjoyed the day but it was a bit tricky early on because the tests didn’t have any ruts or berms.

“Day two was really slippery in the morning but I rode quite neat so my times were pretty good. After day one I knew that I didn’t have to push too hard so I just tried to relax and not make any mistakes. I didn’t crash all weekend but I hit neutral going over a jump on one of the enduro tests, which was a bit scary because I nose dived quite badly. As the day went on and it got drier it got easier for the four strokes. If it had rained it would have been really difficult.

“I’ve got a good lead in the championship now, which is good but there is a long way to go in the championship. I’m really having fun with my riding, like in the extreme test, which I managed to ride without putting my feet down at all on the final lap of day two.”

Results – Day 1

Enduro 3

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 1.01:17.97; 2. Sebastien Guillaume (Gas Gas) 1.02:31.74; 3. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 1.02:32.08; 4. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 1.03:23.84; 5. Alessio Paoli (TM) 1.03:51.31; 6. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 1.04:00.05; 7. Alex Zanni (Honda) 1.04:07.74; 8. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 1.04:12.95; 9. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 1.05:00.60; 10. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 1.05:21.83; 11. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 1.06:00.67; 12. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 1.06:15.19; 13. Maurizio Magherini (Beta) 1.07:26.18; 14. Michal Rudolf (KTM) 1.07:34.56; 15. Juri Simoncini (KTM) 1.08:16.58; 16. Jakob Horak (KTM) 1.12:07.26; 17. Tomi Peltola (Husqvarna) 1.12:31.34; 18. Tobias Burman (Husaberg) 1.12:43.30; 19. Tobias Auerswald (Husqvarna) 1.13:45.12; 20. Matteo Zoppas (Husqvarna) 1.13:54.67;

Results Day 2

Enduro 3

1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 1.03:47.97; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 1.04:18.73; 3. Mika Ahola (Husqvarna) 1.04:27.65; 4. Sebastien Guillaume (Gas Gas) 1.05:25.48; 5. Alessio Paoli (TM) 1.06:26.62; 6. Thierry Klutz (Gas Gas) 1.06:26.92; 7. Mario Rinaldi (Husaberg) 1.06:33.02; 8. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 1.06:48.87; 9. Alex Zanni (Honda) 1.07:09.21; 10. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 1.07:55.06; 11. Tomi Peltola (Husqvarna) 1.10:27.62; 12. Maurizio Magherini (Beta) 1.10:32.36; 13. Juri Simoncini (KTM) 1.12:14.78; 14. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 1.14:15.42; 15. Tobias Burman (Husaberg) 1.14:18.25; 16. Tobias Auerswald (Husqvarna) 1.17:40.25; 17. Michal Rudolf (KTM) 1.19:44.33; 18. Matteo Zoppas (Husqvarna) 1.20:12.70

Round 2: BEC, WOR GBHS Abergele, North Wales

David made the trip over from the Island to compete in his first Wirral Off-Road Hare scramble and was really impresssed by the quality of the event and commented along with several other leading riders that the Abergele course was one of the best he has ever ridden. This was round 2 of the GB Hare Scrambles series and due to WEC commitments David can only make 2 of the rounds. DK choose to ride his big D3 525 EXC KTM as we have a World Enduro championship race next weekend and he needs to focus on the 4 stroke and leave his trusty two stroke 250 in the garage until after the WEC series. The 3 hour race started at 12.00pm and DK immediatly took the lead followed closely by the ever improving Ryan Voase who briefly passed David on lap one, the first circuit took just over 11 minutes but a challenging course with a full entry meant that further laps would be slower as the leaders had to move through the back markers. David was lapping around 40 seconds quicker than Ryan and eventually won by just over 9 minutes lapping everyone but Ryan. The track was a mixture of natural woodland and open farm land and although there had been allot of recent rain the sunshine came out to make the going just about perfect. Michael Irving on the D3-Racing 250 KTM finished in 9th place amongst a quality expert field and had a trouble free ride, Justin Wilson and his D3-KTM 250 EXC competed at North Ridings Woodhouse hare "n" hounds near Middlesborough and gave the team another podium position winning one of his favorite events.

1. David Knight D3-Racing 525EXC KTM
2. Ryan Voase KX 250
3. Ady Smith KTM 200 EXC
9. Michael Irving D3-Racing 250EXC KTM

 

Round 2: BEC, Brechfa South Wales

Knighter continues his 100% unbeaten record in 05 by winning round 2 of the British Enduro championship in south wales. A challenging course and very wet conditions meant that this event was a real test of endurance for man and machine and when the going gets tough then theres no one better than Knighter. David took control from the first test and won all four tests in the Brechfa forest eventually finishing the day ahead of Paul Edmondson and Edward Jones. Riding his factory KTM 525 EXC DK had a trouble free day and remarked how awesome his bike is despite the conditions being better suited to the small two strokes, the only concern he had was over his third special test where he had caught and passed 9 riders in the test. " because of the severe conditions many clubman were struggling in the test and this made it really difficult to get a clear run through, the test in places only had one line so if you were unlucky to catch someone it was a case of being patient, i had more than my fare share of competitors to pass and i really felt that i had lost too much time in this test" said DK after his third test. However he did not need to worry, he still won the test so his main rivals must have experienced the same level of traffic on the test. David has now won every event he has entered this season and is currently leading both the World and British Enduro championships comfortably.

Next Event: Round 3 WEC, Italy 7th/8th May

 

Round 2: Italian Enduro championship San Remo

David Knight claims another double win, this time in Italy

David Knight after a weeks testing in Europe tested himself against many International riders in round two of the Italian Enduro championship in preparation for the World Championships. In what David described as an old fashioned Enduro in the mountains above San Remo, it looks like Knighters early season testing has paid off with David winning all but one special test aboard his Factory 525 KTM, the only test he lost he managed a third placement despite a small and rare crash. Each day David topped the entry by just over 40 seconds, each lap consisted of two enduro tests and one extreme test, all of which suited David’s trials skills, he rode well within his capacity and was never really pushed by any rider which looks very promising for the WEC which starts in just over two weeks time in Spain.

Day 1

1. David Knight
2. Stefan Merriman
3. Simone Albergone
4. Alessandro Belometti
5. Guiseppe Gallino

Day 2

1. David Knight
2. Simone Albergone
3. Mika Ahola
4. Alesandro Botturi
5. Allesio Paoli


Round 1: ’05 Motul British Enduro Championship

David Knight claims a double win at ’05 BEC opener

D3-Racing KTM rider David Knight limped away from the opening round of the ’05 British Enduro Championship, the Diss MCC Ltd organized Breckland Enduro, with two overall day wins to his name and the lead in the overall British Enduro Championship after finishing ahead of Paul Edmondson and Ryan Voase on both days in the Thetford Forest. With all competitors having to deal with snow, ice and rain during the opening day’s competition the ’05 edition of the Breckland Enduro proved to be every bit a challenging as previous Diss run BEC openers.

Getting the defense of his British Enduro Championship title off to the best possible start, Knighter topped all but one of the event’s timed special tests, winning the opening day by nine seconds and day two by 17 seconds. Heading into day one’s opening test first Knighter was forced to carve a line through the soft sand, one that all other Championship class riders would follow. As a result of being the first man on the test David was only able to post the third quickest time before soon moving ahead of his competitors on tests two and three.

Topping test two by two seconds, Knighter did enough to move himself to the front of the Championship class and with check times eased because of the bad weather it meant that the opening day’s final test would decide the day’s results. Posting a test time six seconds quicker than any other rider David placed his D3-Racing KTM at the top of the Championship class claiming an overall win of some nine seconds.

Despite there being no snow on day two a heavy overnight frost meant that the day’s opening test wasn’t timed. And with check times again much slacker than usual due to the challenging conditions the day’s three remaining tests would decide the winners. Posting a test time eight seconds faster than his closest rival on the first run through the whooped out special, Knighter then placed five seconds clear on test two and a further four seconds ahead on the third and final test to top day two by 17 seconds.

Early on day two Knighter found himself sprawled out on the ground after clipping his foot on a tree stump he hadn’t seen on the going. Despite being brought to the ground with a thump, as well as finishing the event with a swollen right foot, Knighter now heads to Italy to compete in the second round of the Italian Enduro Championship in preparation for the start of this years World Enduro Championship, which takes place in Spain in early April.

David Knight: “It’s a great start to the British championship for me, I’ve enjoyed this year’s Breckland enduro more than any other I’ve ridden - It’s just a shame that it looks as if this year’s event will be the last.
“Day one was really slippery early on, it was difficult out on the first few checks because the ground was really hard in places under the snow. The first test was really tricky, not because of the snow and ice but because the organizers had rotavated the test so the ground wouldn’t be too hard.
“It was really, really soft, like I knew it would be, and it was hard to get my bike to do what I wanted it to. Half way around the test I backed off because pushing hard, and having to cut a line through the soft sand for others to follow, wasn’t getting me anywhere. I knew that the riders behind me would be using my ruts so I wasn’t surprised that there were three of us on the same second.
“The course got much better on the second lap after bikes had been around it. I knew that there were some slippery bits on the test so I rode reasonably steadily on the second test and put in a pretty good time. I knew where I could push on the last test and again I felt that I was riding well, and well within myself.
“The first timed test on day two was a little bit tricky as well because of the lines that the Clubman riders had left behind. I tried hard where I could, but I didn’t want to push too hard or get caught out by the ruts. My first test was really good, I didn’t know whether to go inside or out wide on some of the corners and I think I took quite a few different lines to most riders, which seemed to work.
“Having pulled a good lump of time on the first test I didn’t have to ride too hard on the second one, which I won. On the last test I tried a few different lines and really relaxed and managed to win that one as well.
“My bike has been spot on all weekend and it’s been a great opening round to the championship. The bike I rode was the same as what I’ll compete on in the WEC. I really enjoyed the event. The test was really good. It’s just a shame that the organizers couldn’t run tighter times on the checks because of the snow and ice.”

Breckland Enduro – Championship class day one results

1. David Knight (D3-Racing KTM) 994.52 secs
2. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 1003.12
3. Ryan Voase (Kawasaki) 1017.99
4. Euan McConnell (Honda) 1032.31
5. Daryl Bolter (Husqvarna) 1039.24

Breckland Enduro – Championship class day two results

1. David Knight (D3-Racing KTM) 964.47
2. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 981.51
3. Ryan Voase (Kawasaki) 1010.23
4. Euan McConnell (Honda) 1012.69
5. Paul Whibley (Gas Gas) 1017.42

The “Tough One” 20th FEb 2005
click above for more race info

Another successfull weekend for D3 and Knighter, also new boy Justin "The Daddy" Wilson.


KTM D3-Racing rider David Knight wins the first ever Tough One event staged by wirral off-road, a superb course laid out by the Wirral team and perfect blue sky made for some great action in the Nantmawr quarry, near Oswestry. The pro-class left the line at 12 noon but the club had decided to handicap David by removing the wheels from his bike, before he could start he had to put on his boots and helmet and fit front + back wheels, on the opening lap he was almost 6 minutes down to his brother Juan who led until the 1 hour mark. David slowly passed all 45 starters. Before pulling out a good 4 minute lead by the end of the two hours. D3-Racing also celebrated by taking the expert class too with Justin Wilson aboard his new 250 EXC.

more information soon.

For more information about the race visit www.wirraloffroad.co.uk

 

Latest Race Results Hells Gate 5th Feb

Hell’s Gate extreme enduro:
Il Ciocco tourist complex, North Tuscan Apennines, Italy

David Knight dominates the ’05 Hell’s Gate enduro

KTM Racing team rider David Knight claimed a convincing win at the second running of the Hell’s Gate extreme enduro, the Fabio Fasola organized event in Il Ciocco, Italy on Saturday February 5. After topping the ’04 event, Knighter again showed exactly why he is world’s best extreme enduro rider by topping the event’s morning qualifying enduro before going on to lead the main Hell’s Gate race from start to finish and claim the 8’000 Euro first prize.

Topping the four-lap, preliminary event from which only 30 riders passed into the main Hell’s Gate event, David managed not only to finish the race as the sole rider to finish without time penalties but as the winner of the three timed special tests as well. Managing to negotiate his way around the rock and ice covered course better than any other, Knighter then took to the start of the Hell’s Gate race as clear favorite.

With the 30 qualifying riders lining up on a road race style start grid, Knighter needed just one corner to work his way past the fast starting Swede Anders Eriksson before disappearing into the distance. Knowing that the opening lap would be an important one, Knighter pushed as hard as the challenging course would allow him, opening up a healthy lead at the end of the first of the four laps.

Still continuing to march forwards during the second and third laps of the race, David eased his speed as he neared the mid-way point of the race not wanting to risk unnecessary damage to either himself or his bike. With a 15-minute lead at the end of the second lap Knighter knew that only a mechanical problem or a careless crash would stop him from winning. Starting to feel tired during the third lap of the race, come the fourth and final lap Knighter slowed his pace despite feeling much fresher than he had in the mid stages of the race.

As night fell David came closer than he hoped he would to putting himself out of the race. Crashing while riding down a rocky waterfall the KTM factory rider crashed, damaging his lights. Able to continue without too much trouble David reached the base of the event’s final hill close to half an hour ahead of his nearest rival. 10 minutes later David reached the top of Hell’s peak to claim his second Hell’s Gate win in as many years and collect the 8’000 Euro first prize.


David Knight: “The first half of the morning race was easy enough - there were a lot of leaves and weeds over the rocks which made it a bit tricky in places though. On the second half of the lap there was a lot of ice on the track, which you had to keep an eye out for. I went pretty quickly on the opening lap and hand a few minutes to spare at the end of it, but it was pretty tight on time.
“The second and third laps were better and I cleaned them ok because the leaves were clearing off the track and you could see the rocks better. I thought that it would be impossible to clean the last lap without receiving a time penalty, especially as you couldn’t really push too hard because of the ice. I got to the end of the lap with about 30 seconds to spare, which I was pleased with. I just rode steady on the special tests because I wasn’t too worried about what position I finished in, just as long as I got through into the main race. My bike was running really lean so I didn’t ride it as hard as I could because I didn’t want to risk any problems. The morning race was really enjoyable.
“Anders (Eriksson) nipped up the inside of me in the first corner but I had the line for the second turn and from there I just tried to ride hard without making any mistakes. The first part of the course was quite tricky so I couldn’t push too hard, from there on it was into the river bed and I was able to start opening up a lead. I knew that if the other riders couldn’t see me then I’d be able to start pulling away from them. I pushed hard on the first lap, didn’t make too many mistakes, and had a pretty good lead at the end of the lap.
“I decided to take it a bit steadier on the second lap, especially on the trickier parts of the course. I think I had a 15 minute lead at the end of the second lap. I started to feel a bit tired on the third lap and started to make a few mistakes. I slowed myself down so that I wouldn’t crash and at the start of the fourth lap I felt good again, like I could do another two or three laps.
I really enjoyed the last lap. I knew that Wayne was about half an hour behind me so I didn’t need to push at all. I just had to keep concentrating. I rode really slowly and waited at the last check point to make sure that Wayne and Juan both got to the finish and weren’t eliminated from the race because there was a 40 minute cut-off time.
“I tried being a smart ass and rode down the waterfall in the dark on the last lap, crashed and broke my light. Luckily it wasn’t too bad and I didn’t lose too much time but it could have been pretty nasty. Getting up the final hill wasn’t as hard as it was last year but I was glad to get to the finish. It’s been a really good event again and I’m really pleased to have won for a second year.”

Results – Hell’s Gate enduro
1. David Knight Farioli KTM
2. Wayne Braybrook Honda
3. Juan Knight Gas Gas
4. Anders Eriksson Husqvarna
5. Andrea Beconi Yamaha

Ends

Genova Indoor Enduro - Jan 22nd


Team KTM Racing rider David Knight claimed his first international win of the ’05 enduro season on January 22 when the Manx ace clinched victory at the first running of the Genova Indoor Enduro – his first event as a factory KTM rider.

Backing up his strong performances at both the Barcelona and Las Vegas indoor enduro events during the tail end of ’04, Knighter claimed a convincing win in front of 7’000 spectators. Passing comfortably through his heat race, despite missing the drop of the start gate which resulted in him reaching the first corner almost last, the current British Enduro Champion also made light work of his semi final competitors to guarantee himself a place in the 10 rider final.

Favorite to win the six lap main event, Knighter made things harder for himself than he planned by suffering another mediocre start. Again quickly moving his way forward in the early laps of the race, David needed just two laps to place his 250EXC at the front of the field. Riding without mistakes David maintained his lead at the front of the race pushing no harder than he needed.

With most riders struggling not to make mistakes as they battled for position in the hope of claiming an all important podium spot, Knighter simply stayed out of trouble and ahead of his rivals. Suffering with arm pump in the later stages of the race the KTM Racing pilot was still able to maintain his healthy lead and claimed a well deserved victory ahead of Paul Edmondson and fellow KTM rider Alessandro Botturi.

David Knight: “I got a really bad start in my heat race but I managed to push my way passed everyone in the first turn, which meant that I had a good lead about half way around the first lap. I settled down quickly, although Mika Ahola started to catch me as the race got close to the finish, but I wasn’t too worried because I knew that I could have ridden quicker if I’d needed to. It was a great way to start the night. I felt really good, but I did get some arm pump.
“In my semi-final race I got a good start, opened up a pretty strong lead and then went pretty steady towards the end of the race so that I didn’t make any mistakes. I got really bad arm pump, which made the race difficult for me although I didn’t find the course too bad.
“In the final I knew that I needed to get a good start. Paul (Edmondson) and I almost went too soon so we didn’t get the best of jumps out of the gate. It didn’t turn out too bad for me though because a lot of riders got themselves caught up on the inside of the second turn.
“I went around the outside of the second turn and managed to move to about third. I then triad a new line on the rocks and Edmondson got away from me a bit. I was fairly confident that I could catch Edmondson and Alessio (Paoli) because six laps is a long time and anything can happen in indoor racing. I got passed Paul a little sooner than I thought I was going to, which meant that I just had to pass Alessio.
“Alessio was attacking the track too much and I knew that he would make a mistake. He did on the rocks and I got passed without any problems. Then I just tried to ride steady, not take any risks, and maintain my lead. My arms started to pump up really bad so it was just a case of not crashing.
“It was a little bit difficult to get used to the bike because it was just a standard 250EXC with Ivan Cervantes’ suspension in it. I was fairly confident before the race and finishing first is exactly the result I wanted. Knowing that I can win on a 250cc two-stroke that I’m not used to gives me a lot of confidence going into the season. I can’t wait to get onto my four-stroke race bike.”

Results: Genova Indoor Enduro – Main event
1. David Knight KTM
2. Paul Edmondson Honda
3. Alessandro Botturi KTM
4. Ivan Cervantes KTM
5. Mika Ahola Husqvarna
6. Simone Albergoni Honda
7. Alessio Paoli TM
8. Maurizio Micheluz Yamaha
9. Petri Pohjamo TM
10. Arnau Vilanova Honda

 

David Knight dominates inaugural Hell's Gate extreme enduro in Italy to make it victory first time out for the Kendal Based D3-Racing KTM team

Ciocco, Barga (Lucca), Italy