Motorcycle classic

returns to Hancock

HANCOCK, NY — On Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, 150 motorcycle racers from around the world will face off in Hancock for two days of rugged competition for the highly coveted USGP World Enduro Championship (WEC). The WEC is a series of extreme off-road motorcycle Enduro competitions staged throughout Europe and North America each year. Hancock is hosting the first of the two North American rounds of this international event for the second consecutive year.

Motorcycle Enduro utilizes all the skills required to reach the top of the other major forms of motorcycling—Road Racing, Motocross, Trials and Speedway. During the usual seven hours of competition per day, Enduro racers traverse trails consisting mainly of disused, rough gravel four-wheel-drive tracks, and single-lane forest tracks. The course is four laps of approximately 120 miles in total length and is broken up into 12 timed sections with checkpoints on each loop. Throughout the day’s riding, competitors will be faced with approximately 12 “special tests” such as cross, enduro and extreme tests varying in length and the type of terrain covered.

The two-day event begins each morning at 9:00 a.m. at Hancock Firemen’s Field. The bulk of the competition will take place at Art Tompkins Logging on Tar Hollow Road. Ample signage will direct spectators to event locations. Full access for the entire two-day event costs $24 and includes a commemorative 2007 WEC program. Tickets will be available beginning Thursday, July 19 at Firemen’s Field, or at the entrance to Tompkins Logging.

There will be an opening ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, with a presentation about the sport of Enduro and a chance for spectators to meet and greet the world-class competitors. On Friday, July 20, spectators are invited to observe final technical examinations of the cycles and last-minute mechanical preparations.

For more information visit usgpenduro.com or call 607/637-2870.