Team Exposure Joystick

Team Number: 22

Race Position: 10

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Arguably, Adventure Racing’s dark horse of the middle pack, Team Exposure Joystick, is a team worth keeping an eye on if you fancy a punt on a long-shot – with a potent mixture of age (31 to 46yrs) and Adventure Racing background experience (2 to 12yrs) the Team is set for the big one!  All highly-performing professionals in their own fields, in their leisure time they look to test themselves to their physical & mental limits in the ultimate race arena that is multi-day racing – that said, if there’s a laugh to be had or helping hand required, they’ll always be there for you.  This team truly is in it for the adventure… 

Joining the three old men of AR Aristocracy, Emma Van Der Gucht (or ‘Claude’ as the boys refer to her, after Jean-Claude Van Damme, ‘cos she’s so dam mentally tough), brings youthful enthusiasm to the team – and a determination to succeed that frankly the laidback boys all find a bit scary!  Emma’s exploded on to the AR scene in the last two years with several highly ranked finishes in high-profile races.  Her mountaineering background will prove invaluable in maintaining team spirits during those times when the long, dark hours play games with your mind & pain seeps into bones – you know what we mean, guys…

Next up is Stewart Bailey or 'Carthorse' to those who have ever raced with him.  Built like a Shire horse with legs to match, this boy will carry his own weight in feathers all day long and still be asking for more! Stewart's military background and experience of mountain and ultra-marathons (being one of the few to achieve the coveted 7X7 black ‘T’ in the CTS) should see him able to support the Team through what is arguably the toughest aspect of any multi-day event - the foot sections – offering yet another string to the Team's tactical bow. He also makes an excellent cup of tea! 

Then comes the Team’s secret weapon, a man know to AR Old-Timers as: ‘that Phil Humphreys.’  Yes, you remember him correctly… and your nervous tick returns.  He’s the one who put you through 10 years of gruelling ACE Races courses.  Well, now as a fellow racer, it’s time to get our own back!  Do give him a jolly wave and a wry smile three days in everyone!!!  But Phil’s 10 years as ACE Races’ Director, setting the most gruelling courses and organising & promoting the country’s premier events, combined with his ability to make sensible decisions when sleep deprived, may prove to be significant advantage over other teams. 

Finally, we come to the granddaddy of the Team, Mike Poole.  They call him ‘The Human GPS,’ which, some say is because he can nav his way to any CP blindfolded whilst being tortured by Val Doonican music on continuous loop! As arguably one of the most seasoned AR circuit veterans, with over 12 years of racing experience, Mike has a whole host of AR related skills and know-how to draw upon when things turn tricky and the Team needs to get out of a fix. 

HAVE A GREAT RACE EVERYONE.  And remember: Pain is only transitory; success lasts forever…