It's all White for MMX
By TMX Archives on 2nd Apr 08
AFTER a fast, frantic season opener at flat-out Little Silver Moto Park last month, the British MMX Championship returns to the South West for round two of the 2008 series at Whiteway Barton, Devon, on Sunday.Both the Open and Under 21 classes will be in action at the tricky, potentially wet Whiteway circuit, as well as the opening salvo of the British Quadcross Championship, and with the first round jitters out of the way, the championship contenders will be going all out on the day to bag as many points as possible and establish themselves firmly as title candidates.
Pioneer Yamaha's defending Open class champion Wayne Smith heads the points after going 2-1 at the opening round and will be looking to extend the 12 point lead he holds over Mark Hucklebridge at Whiteway Barton.
The Cumbrian ace had to contend with new PAR Honda 450 class runner Ray Rowson at Little Silver, but after inflicting a defeat on Smith in the opening moto of the campaign Rowson will be missing due to the broken back he sustained at the Hawkstone International and Smith's challengers will come from elsewhere.
After posting some impressive rides in his first few rides in the UK, NA Robinson KTM's Kiwi import Michael Phillips will be looking to improve on his sixth place overall at Little Silver and after running well inside top-ten of Maxxis championship he could well be Smith's most serious challenger for the wins on the day. Hucklebridge too cannot be counted out and excels on the type of ground that Whiteway Barton boasts so he should not be overlooked.
Nor too should be Twisted7 Kawasaki's Bryan MacKenzie who had lead both motos for a time at Little Silver and will be hoping for better luck this time out, Wiseco Danny Smyth, Richard Lawson, Alex Rach, or fresh back from injury Jamie Law on the Relentless Suzuki.
The action should be fast and close at the sharp-end of the class for sure, but the Under 21 class could be even closer.
KTM UK's Alex Snow showed his experience and rode two strong races to take a double win at Little Silver to take the early season advantage over Meredith Suzuki's Joe Dark and NA KTM's Kristian Whatley, but recent results from the British Championship point to a few more riders getting in on the action at Whiteway Barton.
The three podium men from round one will undoubtedly feature but sure to be up there in the hunt will be UTag Yamaha's young hope Mel Pocock, Ashley Greedy and Shane Carless on the PAR Honda and Pioneer Yamaha duo Alan Keet and Robert Hamilton.
The event will also incorporate round one of the British Quad Championship which will see Scotlands John Mitchell start the defence of his title aboard the ATV World Yamaha.
Mitchell took the 2007 title by 17 points from long time rival Paul Winrow aboard his Winrow Racing Honda, and this pair will undoubtedly start as favourites for the championship once again.
Richard Tordoff will be looking to finish in the top three at the end of the season aboard his Mercuria GYTR Yamaha but will have to hold-off strong challenges from L&G Plant Honda's Lindsey Duke and KIK ATV's William Waggott, also on a Honda.
Following on from the earlier Qualifying races to decide the final championship contenders KIK Honda's young gun Wayne Tyson showed that he intends to be a force to reckon with taking wins in all three races and will certainly be hopeful for the Under 21 crown. Qualifying alongside Wayne were current Sidecar champions John and Mark Watson both aboard Anderson ATV Suzukis.
The qualifying action starts at 9.15am with the Open class and the first race gets under way at 12:15pm.
The Whiteway circuit is set in a valley with lots of natural climbs and off cambers and the whole circuit is viewable from the spectator area. Access to the circuit is via the A380 Kingsteignton North Junction and will be well signposted.