Borders brothers tackle tough uncompromising enduro terrain

A talented pair of sporting siblings triumphed at a two-wheeled weekend event in which a fellow Borders entrant, and other Scottish riders, enjoyed superb success.
Nic Davidson with sons Callum, left, and RobbieNic Davidson with sons Callum, left, and Robbie
Nic Davidson with sons Callum, left, and Robbie

The occasion was round two of the Raw Enduro Raw Rock Oil Championship at Norwood Teversal in Nottinghamshire.

Experienced enduro brothers Callum and Robbie Davidson from Jedburgh, were taking part in their respective categories – with 16-year-old Callum winning the adult sportsman section by a huge margin.

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Robbie, 14, had a top five finish in the youth category, while Hawick rider Kevin Watson was runner-up in the adult sportsman veterans’ discipline.

Two other Scottish riders also won their sections, making it a great weekend for entrants from north of the border.

Callum had enjoyed a good win in the previous round at Boston. On a narrow and rough track, on which passing was difficult, he was third around the first corner and managed to hold the position for the whole race. Last weekend’s success, however, was particularly special.

"It was the manner in which he won,” said the boys’ dad, Nic. “It’s a two-hour race and he ended up with about a three-minute lead. That’s massive.”

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Callum takes up the story: “I got off to a bad start. I was near the back of the pack round the first corner but the track suited me, as it was a little more free flowing than the previous week and was a faster track.

"I was able to make some good passes in the first two laps and make my way into first, which I held for the whole race, and managed to make a three-minute lead by the end. This puts me first in the championship with six rounds to go.”

Robbie said he had also been really happy with his riding so far in the championship but a puncture in round one put him down from second to fifth. At round two, he had even more bad luck when his back brake failed, causing him to hit a tree, but he still managed to finish fourth.

There are plenty more contests – and extreme travelling – to keep the family occupied while they await the next stage of Raw Enduro, a league series started by former professional Wayne Braybrook which regularly attracts around 100 bikes to meetings.

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This weekend, they are away to Lossiemouth for the Scottish Championship, while on May 8-9 they hope to be down in Dorset for the Fast Eddy Racing event.

"It’s the same with any racing – nothing is on your doorstep,” said Nic. But, luckily, the boys are enthusiastic. “From one week to the next, not a day goes by without talking about bikes,” he added.

“With races, it’s how we can improve, what mistakes we made; it's never ending. They are so passionate about it, it’s incredible.”

The brothers have been on the enduro circuit for about 18 months, having found its physical demands were more to their taste than those of motocross. Youth races run for around 90 minutes, while senior events can last about three hours.

The boys are being assisted this season by Bill Rae Contracting, Forbes Plastics, Briggsy’s Butchers, Gforce Suspension and Border Mortgage Hub.

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