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Dorset Echo News:

Dad ready to make history with 24-hour motocross world record attempt

A DAD from Chickerell is hoping to make history today with a world record attempt.

After months of training, Paul Oughton said he ‘can’t wait’ to get stuck into the challenge, in which he is aiming to break the record for the furthest distance travelled on a motocross bike in 24 hours. The public is invited to go along to the venue at the Rogershill Raceway, Bere Regis, with performances lined up from mountain biker Nick Manning and quadbiker the Kangeroo Kid. Paul, whose family will also be going along to cheer him on, said his 17-month-old son Cian had been a big inspiration to taking on the challenge.

He said: “I just can’t wait to get on with it now.

“There’s nothing like being on a bike.

“I want to make tonight a great evening for everyone who comes out and supports me, and there’s lots going on.

“Having people there to cheer you on really helps with what I know is going to be an arduous and tiring journey.”

The current world record is 426.96km, or 265.3 miles, and was set by Perry Pritchard in 2010. Paul, a former youth motocross champion, said his technique will be to stop every 50 minutes for a short refueling break, but will be riding almost constantly for 24 hours to try to break the record. He will be joined for part of the journey by three times Motocross world champion Dave Thorpe and four times British champion Stephen Sword.

He added: “I think the organization around the event, and all the preparation going into it has definitely helped to take my mind off how hard the challenge is going to be.

“I’m going for short, regular breaks to keep me fresh, and it would be great if people want to bring along pit boards with good luck messages.”