East Coast Enduro Association promotes long schedule of hare scrambles, enduros for East Coast off-roaders

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The East Coast Enduro Association's off-road competition season brings a long list of hare scrambles and enduro competition to AMA members in the eastern United States. As an AMA Featured Series for 2013, the racing kicks off on March 2-3 in Port Elizabeth, N.J., with the Tri-County Hare Scrambles.

"These are great races with a loyal following that fosters a family-friendly atmosphere while providing exceptional competition," said AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Chuck Weir. "Add in the fact that many of these races boast histories that stretch back decades, and it's a great mix."

The enduro schedule begins with one of the oldest of those races, the Sandy Lane Enduro, which takes place on March 17 in Greenbank, N.J. The Meteor Motorcycle Club held the first Sandy Lane Enduro in 1934 as a closed club event and then as an AMA-sanctioned event in 1935. In 1947, the Sandy Lane was awarded a 500-mile national sanction.

"The events provide a diverse range of terrain and challenges for riders of all ages and abilities," said ECEA President Jamie Theurkauf. "Routes range from the tight sandy trails in South Jersey through the coal fields of Pennsylvania to exploring the small wonders of Delaware and, ultimately, winding around New York's scenic Finger Lakes region.

"The ECEA has something for everyone -- classes ranging from peewees to those over the age of 70 -- beginners to pros," said Theurkauf.

Theurkauf added that the enduro schedule includes both traditional time-keeping events and start control formats. The 13 hare scrambles on the calendar feature head-to-head racing across a wide variety of courses.

"The ECEA invites riders to come out and experience the greatest off-road riding events available, presented to you by the hardest working clubs in the East," Theurkauf said.

A dozen more two-day races round out the hare scrambles calendar, while the Sandy Lane is followed by a long list of impressive enduro events -- 18 more in all -- running through the Nov. 24 Pine Hill Enduro in New Lisbon, N.J. The full ECEA off-road competition and dual-sport schedule can be found at www.ecea.org.