Knight wins Hell's Gate

Britain’s Enduro star David Knight has won the 2006 Hell’s Gate Enduro, wining the 8000 Euro prize fund on his 300cc KTM.

Knight managed to qualify in pole position for the main event despite a tricky morning qualifying session with several ice patches. Fellow Brit Wayne Braybrook qualified second.

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Despite dropping to second after getting caught up at the first river section, Knight was able to regain the lead by the start of the second lap, where he would take the cehquered flag after the full four laps. His victory came despite a problem with his lights, following a small crash, which saw his lead drop from 15 minutes to just three and a half.

“This year’s Hell’s Gate was certainly difficult for me. The track had a lot of ice in places, which made qualifying interesting,” said Knight. “I had a small problem on the first section of rocks and got stuck a little bit so I didn’t really lead the race until the start of the second lap. I pushed hard to open up a lead, but just as it started to get dark my lights stopped working. Then I tried my back-up lights and couldn’t get them to work either. Making things worse, my helmet lights only lasted for about five minutes before they stopped, too. Then I was really in the dark. Thankfully I made it to the last hill of the race and with the help of the spectators I made it to the top. Winning the race for the third time is great.”

Hell’s Gate 2006 results:

1. David Knight, (KTM). Four laps.

2. Wayne Braybrook (Honda) +3.30 minutes.

3. Paul Edmondson (Honda) 15.30 minutes.

4. Gregory Eyries (Yamaha) +1 minute.

5. Graham Jarvis (Sherco) +13 minutes.

6. David Casteu (KTM) +6 minutes.