Maxxis here we go

This event should have been round two of the series but the original opener at Milton Park was cancelled due to a water-logged track.

 

With spring having at last made an appearance, everyone is hopeful that the motocross season can begin in earnest and unlike last year cancellations will something of the past.

 

The title winners from last year, Stuart Brown and passenger Josh Chamberlain, will be in action with Stuart going for his 11th title in 2013.

 

Trying to ensure that doesn't happen will be the local team of Daniel and Joe Millard from Frome. 

 

Last year the brothers, who finished third in the championship, had a hat-trick of second places at Asham Woods to Stuart and Josh's three wins, but the Millards be looking to change that to wins of their own.

 

Having changed from Husaberg engines to Zabel power for this year, the brothers now have the same type of engine as both Brown/ Chamberlain and the second placed team from 2012, Richard Jenkins and Dan Chamberlain, so it's all even at the top.

 

Jenkins/Chamberlain will be looking to build on their successful 2012 season by going one better and taking the title. But waiting in the wings apart from the Millards are Brett Wilkinson/ Craig Parmenter who were only 20-points behind the brothers, in fourth.

 

Another team of brothers, Steve and Stewart France, also cannot be ruled out. 

 

Jack Etheridge, with Scott Grahame on the chair this year, will want to put last year behind him following an injury sustained at Frome, which put Etheridge out until near the end of the season. 

 

Jack was probably one rider, who was grateful for weather cancelling meetings as he still finished 12th in the standings!

 

Ross Bowers, with passenger Guy Eastman, is another local Frome rider, who will be hoping for a good meeting in front of the local crowd. Bowers/ Eastman finished an amazing ninth in their first full season together.

 

Nick Jarvis has teamed up with Ryan Humphrey for this season and due to an injury picked up in 2011 was only able to compete in the latter part of 2012. This team has its sights firmly set on a top ten finish in Britain and picking up points in the GPs.

 

Luke Peters who had been passenger with Stuart Brown, swapped roles to driving in 2011 had an excellent 2012 season taking the British Clubman Sidecar series and finishing an incredible seventh in the British title chase. Peters has a new passenger in Ian Sheppard for 2013 and should not be overlooked.

 

With the slow start to the season so far the top teams have been in action, but overseas.

 

The first Sidecar GP took place in Switzerland over Easter with snow, rain and mud.

 

Seven of the top British teams qualified for the main races, with Brown/ Chamberlain coming away with a fifth overall. Rounds of the French and Dutch series has also attracted British crews abroad.

 

A total of 30 crews have registered for this year's Maxxis SidecarX series and, although helped by the ACU dropping its registration fee, this can only be healthy for the sport. After last season's disruptions due to the wet weather everyone hopes this year will be a memorable one – for the right reasons.

 

The British QuadX Championship is also being staged alongside the chairs and with nearly a full 

line-up of top quad riders it should be an all action event. Rounding out the programme will be Twin-shock and Junior solo classes.

 

Adult admission is £10 with concessions for OAP's of £5. Children under-16 are free.

 

It all kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6 with practice at 9.30am and the first race at approximately 10.30am.

 

Asham Woods circuit is at Leighton, near Frome, BA11 4PN and can be found on the A361, Frome to Shepton Mallet road.