Report: Dursley MXC
By Mike Wood on 20th Apr 16
With the start of the AMCA British Motocross Championship just two weeks away, there was the business of sorting the Area Qualifiers to conclude.
In the South, Dursley MXC were the hosts at the Nympsfield circuit and on the evidence of Sunday's event, the riders about to join the main series will certainly give spectators a massive treat.
In the MX1 Qualifier, the top three of Shane Carless, John May and James Dodd produced a trio of exciting tussles.
Indeed these lads certainly have the pedigree and ability and it will be a major surprise if come the end of the season they are all not in the shake-up for honours.
Over in the MX2 Qualifier, Luke Blanchard was also in great form, taking the overall win ahead of Ben Hunt and Josh Broadway.
Thanks to the club's usual expert track preparation and some kind weather, the Nympsfield circuit was in prime condition.
In MX1 moto one John May led the charge ahead of Shane Carless, Curtis Blamey, James Dodd and Jordan Broadway.
Three laps in Carless soared to the front and there he remained to take the opening win of the day as Dodd moved up to bag second with May in third and Blamey fourth.
Moto two followed an almost identical pattern as the fast starting May again led the charge before being overhauled by both winner Carless and Dodd while the equally impressive Curtis Blamey was the closest challenger to the top three.
The best though was saved until last as May, Dodd and Carless charged round the the circuit at high speed in close for large periods of this final battle.
This time victory belonged to May from Carless, Dodd, Blamey, Broadway and Ryan Allen – a classic race which sent the spectators home happy.
In the MX2 Qualifier, Josh Broadway and Jack Timms both took turns to lead moto one with victory going to Broadway.
After finding himself down in an initial sixth, Luke Blanchard moved through to move back the running order to bag a hard earned second spot, pushing young Timms back to third, the top six being completed by Ben Hunt, Joseph Barry and Mitchell Benjamin.
In the remaining two qualifying scraps, Blanchard galloped to victory with Hunt right on the gas and chasing him home.
Also producing very composed and calculated rides to help ensure their places on the start grid for the AMCA MX2 British Championship were Broadway, Timms, Barry, Benjamin, Ricky Fenton, Jordan Hughes and Adam Litchfield.
Not to be outdone, there was also some spectacular action in the support classes.
Topping the bill in MX1 Expert was defending AMCA Champion, Luke Dean.
Luke though did not quite have it all his own way and had to settle for fourth in moto one as Clinton Barrs took the win ahead of Mark Young and Brad Turner.
Showing just why he is the current number one, Dean then responded by blasting to victory in the remaining two motos to top the podium from the fast and impressive duo of Young and Turner.
Expert MX2 was all about a head-to-head between top AMCA Championship contenders Paul Neale and Josh Waterman.
After three frantic clashes, the end result was a 2-1 moto win count in favour of Neale and with it the overall victory over Waterman, fast starting Brandon Benjamin, Ryan Jones, Martin Jones and young Tyron Cleaver.
Overall winner James Baker, runner-up Ross Jones and Kyle Jones all recorded a moto victory apiece in Senior MX1.
Kyle Jones was denied an eventual podium place after a first race DNF so Luke Murley took home the third place trophy.
In Senior MX2, Thomas Watson built the foundation for his overall success by being first past the chequered flag in the first two clashes.
Although Dan Best then won the final moto, the MX2 Seniors podium was completed by Jamie Comley and Charlie Cox.
The impressive Joe Rowe went through the card on his way to Junior MX1 overall victory ahead of Ashley Tipping and Kevin Park.
Not to be outdone, the Junior MX2 class also produced a maximum points winner in Thomas Graves. Lee Palmer and Harvey Clarke completed the podium.
RESULTS
AMCA MX1 Champs Qualifier (South) sponsored by Luke Mellows Carpentry: 1 Shane Carless (450F Marsh Honda), 2 John May (450F KTM), 3 James Dodd (450F FUS Husqvarna), 4 Curtis Blamey (450F Marsh Yamaha), 5 Jordan Broadway (450F Bridgestone Suzuki), 6 Ryan Allen (250 Husqvarna).
AMCA MX2 Champs Qualifier (South) sponsored by Luke Mellows Carpentry: 1 Luke Blanchard (250F Suzuki), 2 Ben Hunt (250F FWC Yamaha), 3 Josh Broadway (250F Cheddar Moto Yamaha), 4 Jack Timms (250F Tetbury MC Kawasaki), 5 Joseph Barry (250F FWC Yamaha), 6 Mitchell Benjamin (250F KTM).
Berkeley Heath Motors Expert MX1: 1 Luke Dean (450F Meredith Suzuki), 2 Mark Young (450F Meredith Suzuki), 3 Brad Turner (450F AMS IDS KTM).
Thornbury MX Expert MX2: 1 Paul Neale (250F Tetbury MC Kawasaki), 2 Josh Waterman (250F JD IDS KTM), 3 Brandon Benjamin (250F AMS IDS KTM).
Chris Williams Painter & Decorator Senior MX1: 1 James Baker (450F Waffle Factory Kawasaki), 2 Ross Jones (250cc RMJ KTM), 3 Luke Murley (250 KTM).
S Dobson Catering Senior MX2: 1 Thomas Watson, 2 Jamie Comley (125 LDR Kawasaki), 3 Charlie Cox (250F Kawasaki).
Hunts Pallets Ltd Junior MX1: 1 Joe Rowe (250F Suzuki), 2 Ashley Tipping, 3 Kevin Park (450F Yamaha).
Hunts Pallets Ltd Junior MX2: 1 Thomas Graves (250F MSH Builders Yamaha), 2 Lee Palmer, 3 Harvey Clarke (250F Honda).
