BIKE racer Phil Smithson is on course for his best-ever finish in the World Enduro Championship.

The highly-rated Clitheroe rider has just returned from a gruelling five-week campaign, contesting four rounds of the series in France, Italy, Sweden and Finland.

"The best result was eighth overall in Sweden, but my French jinx struck again when I finished 13th, after nearly breaking my shoulder in a crash," said Smithson, who works as an engineer at Michelin, Burnley.

And with only two retirements from the 'double header' meetings, Smithson looks set for a place inside the Top 10 - one of the few private entries among the factory teams.

"We've experienced some highs and lows over the past few weeks, but its been worth it to get in the Top 10,"

"I'm currently lying 10th overall in the 500cc category. If I get another good result at the next round in Czechoslovakia, I could achieve my best-ever finish in the World Enduro Championship."

After surviving a potentially disastrous French foray, Smithson, and his back-up team moved on to Italy, an event renowned for its tough nature, thanks to the altitude.

He explained: "The thin air caused all sorts of carburation problems on the bike, with the engine running too rich and refusing to run properly because of the heat. "The course was very severe, with steep hills and with four special tests, the pace was relentless.

"I finished 13th on the first day, but retired on the second day due to a combination of heat exhaustion and the after-effects of my crash in France."

Just seven days later, Smithson was on the road again - to Scandinavia.

"The terrain in Sweden is much more to my liking. It's very similar to Wales, lots of water, mud and slippery rocks," he said.

Despite seeing the second day of competition curtailed due to torrential rain, Smithson finished an excellent eighth overall to move up to ninth in the championship standings.

The final leg in Finland saw riders competing on a technical course, with a rough cross country section linked to a motocross test based in a sand quarry.

After taking ninth place on the first day, Smithson looked set to finish on a high note - only to see his bike engine blow up on the second leg.

"It had been using a lot of water, but then it just went bang, and that was that," he explained.

"Fortunately, we scored some points by finishing ninth, and the damage, which we traced to a blown head gasket, will be repaired in time for Czechoslovakia."

Phil Smithson's 1999 World Enduro season has been sponsored by Michelin, Burnley, EBC Brakes, Finna Filters, UFO Clothing and Plastics, Trevon of Colne, Regina Chains, Blackburn, Automotive Tools, Read, Sabden Service Station and Dave Clarke Racing of Preston.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.