There are likely more characters on the W.A. Hard Enduro scene than in all of the nineteen children's novels written by one of the most widely read and influential authors of our generation - Roald Dahl.
To that end, from the first time I met HBG back in 2022 I quite simply could not get the BFG out of my head!
Looming a little over 180cm and off-setting the lead to the tune of 100kg, Harris Baxter-Green is a giant of a man: of that there is little dispute.
And peddling the same battered 2011 KTM250EXC he was punting back when WHES was just a tribe of HE enthusiasts pounding rock faces along the Darling Scarp, you would imagine that HBG is the stuff of which children's nightmares are made.
But that couldn't be further from the truth. Infact HBG is the BFG of WHES.
Roald Dahls giant character in the 1982 children's book, the Big Friendly Giant, was intent on making the world a little better by giving young kids something wonderful to dream about. HBG? Well, he is not so different!
But, instead of frolicking around Dream Country collecting nice dreams in jars to give to kiddies, he is riding around in dreamy country dragging all his mates out of the shit and making sure they all have the most wonderful WHES experience they could possibly wish for.
I asked the unofficial WHES Social Commentor, Halen Wickert, for his "two bits" on one of the more 'larger-than-life' characters in the WHES paddock. I got this: "He is basically Santa Claus 364 days of the year. Heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back."
On riding to ride or riding to win, HBG has a simple philosophy.
"I go into every race wanting to do well, though I never think I'll win. But at the end of the day, we're all out there for fun. It's not easy; hard enduro. Some bits are gonna be very difficult and demanding for people just starting off."
"Losing a position or two to help someone is a no-brainer. If it's something I think they can do, I'll hang for a bit and watch them attempt it. But if someone is hurting or can't get over an obstacle then yeah, 100% I'll give them a hand."
"If someone is struggling I'll either tell them what to do or show them.....but, most the time I'll make a meal out of it myself anyway!!!"
So, will WHES be a land of fairy tales and rainbows for HBG in 2024?
A long way out of the top 10 in Bronze back in 2022, Harris stomped his way through the field to within only one point of the Championship lead in 2023!! And he did it on the same clapped out 2011 KTM EXC he was racing when WHES emerged back in 2020.
On the last round (the Toodyay Terror 2.0) he started the race like he had a rocket up his butt, but backed off a little as the fitness faded. Having placed third at TT2.0 and second in the overall championship it is no surprise that the big friendly giant is taking the giant leap out of Bronze and into Silver.
I am sure there will be plenty of Silver riders that will be stoked to have the BFG in their ranks to drag their sorry arses out of those "hard to reach" places.
Further to that, I can only imagine the keyboard fodder Twist will get out of Silver Class this year. Gunning for the title, it will be a battle of youth, 'tude, pure grit and inertia (possibly not in that order).
The enigma that is Halen Wickert is stepping out of Silver and into Gold!!! That is going to get ugly quickly! Halen is currently fine tuning his attitude out on the streets on a KTM500EXC Supermoto!!
This leaves young James Oremek going toe to toe with everyone's favourite mozzie jocky, Elliot Clenton. Though prepare yourself punters because this year the screaming mosquito is getting a newer, bigger donk!!
Both these boys will be getting pushed along by the irrepressible tectonic plate that is Peter Mountain. They'll also get a shake down from Ruairi Hegarty if he can stay in the country, get time off work, and get on the bike at a few more events this year.
Taking to the heels of that lot will be 2023 Silver Top Ten finishers Tyler Bannink and Daniel Ledeboer. Mates, Tyler and Daniel will be razzing each other all the way to the flag, and the sledging has started early this year.
"If my mate Ledeboer pulls his finger out, I'd say he will be a championship contender. Me? I didn't do ANY fitness last year, and I am keen to give it a good go this year; I'll be content with a top 5."
The big news in Gold?
Rieju rider Sam Rogers is migrating to the west to make a greater mark on the mayhem of WHES than he managed to do in '23. Yes, the WHES Gold Class champion will officially become a sand groper in 24!
And making all this possible is the new 2024 WHES committee. They are currently busting their nutz to getting everything ready for a smashing year of Hard Enduro here in W.A.
Strap in 'cause it is going to get hectic, starting with demo riding at this year's Woodstock Country Muster....watch this space!
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