Hawkstone is ready to ignite
By TMX Archives on 27th Feb 08
YAMAHA'S Josh Coppins will arrive at Hawkstone Park this weekend in hot form following his total domination of the French international meeting at Valence last Sunday. The highly popular kiwi won all three motos in Valence to confirm that he is very much focussed on winning the World title he missed out on last season.
Coppins' visit to the famous sandy Shropshire circuit will not be without challenge though with current MX1 World champion Steve Ramon also showing good pace at the French meeting.
Other MX1 Hawkstone hopefuls in the form of Max Nagl, Ken De Dyker and Julien Bill all proved their early season pace to complete the top six at Valence, and will arrive in the UK with a point to prove not only against each other, but also against what is still regarded as one of the toughest tracks on the planet.
In the MX2 class, Britain's vice World champion Tommy Searle just missed out on the overall win in France due to a poor second moto showing, and was knocked off the top spot by team-mate Tyla Rattray. Both of these young pretenders will be back in action at Hawkstone when the
battle will be re-ignited not only for MX2 honours, but also in the Grand Final when the smaller capacity bikes come up against their bigger counterparts.
Local boy Ray Rowson heads to his main home meeting of the year in excellent shape, having gone 1-2 at the opening round of the British Open championship held in Devon last Sunday and will be looking to make his mark against the establishment in the 450cc class. Rowson is sure to have plenty of local support to encourage him to compete high up the order.
With the recent run of dry weather allowing the hardworking Salop club to get Hawkstone prepped and ready for action, reports coming from the venue are that the track has not looked better for years and will provide a cracking setting for the 10th anniversay edition of the race, even depite a poor weather forecast for later in the week.
The Hawkstone International always attracts a large crowd, so visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid queues.
Hawkstone Park is located ten miles north of Shrewsbury and will be signed from the A49 and A53.
Entrance tickets will be readily available at the gate on the day and priced at £25 including full paddock access, £15 for children (aged 5-15 years old) and OAP's, while children under five-years-old can enter free of charge if accompanied by an adult.
Programme of Events
9.00 – 9.40: MX2 Qualifying Group A – 10 minutes free
practice / 20 minutes timed / 5 minutes start
9.45 – 10.25: MX2 Qualifying Group B – 10 minutes free
practice / 20 minutes timed / 5 minutes start
10.30 – 11.10: Open Qualifying -– 10 minutes free practice / 20 minutes timed/ 5 minutes start
Interval
12.00: Race 1 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
12.40: Race 2 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
1.20: Race 3 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
2.00: Race 4 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
2.40: Race 5 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
3.20: Race 6 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
4.10: Race 7 International Grand Final 25 minutes + 2 Laps
Please call 0161-7052280 or visit www.hawkstonemx.co.uk for further information.