See you down the Mall'
By TMX Archives on 28th May 08
IT'S here. Yes, the British Motocross Grand Prix at Mallory Park is upon us this weekend, May 31/ June 1, and if you aren't already packing your tent, sun-screen (hopefully), and air-horn in the motor ready to make your way down to the Leicestershire venue and experience the unrivalled atmosphere of the British GP, there's still time to get down there.
And get down to Mallory Park you should too, and not just to support intrepid GP promoter Gareth Hockey in his endeavours either, the British boys need and deserve your support and there is a real possibility that Brit's could dominate the podium come Sunday afternoon.
Rarely has the British GP afforded fans such an opportunity for success, with genuine contenders for the wins and podium places in both classes, and if all goes well on a fast, open track that will suit British styles the inaugural Mallory Park GP could go down in the history books.
Tommy Searle, Stephen Sword and Shaun Simpson are undoubted podium candidates in MX2 with the likes of Carl Nunn and Jason Dougan certainly capable too, not to mention Elliott Banks-Browne, and Jake Nicholls, while Billy MacKenzie's blistering speed makes him a favourite for MX1 glory, ably backed-up by Brad Anderson, James Noble and Tom Church. And that's just in the main GP classes.
The Veteran World Cup too is awash with British talent eyeing up home soil glory, not least defending champ Dave Thorpe, Spanish GP moto winner Greg Hanson, and Scott Eastwood.
On top the class regulars though there are a host of super-fast British wildcards' too who will be aiming to set the cat amongst the pigeons and have an excellent chance of really getting in amongst the GP regulars.
In MX1 likeable Welshman Mark Jones gets the nod on his ARB Kawasaki, running number 37, and after regularly beating GP regulars Church, Noble and Anderson on home soil the former factory Honda rider is a realistic bet for good points.
Also on the entry list are Twisted 7 Kawasaki's Bryan MacKenzie, fellow Kawasaki runner Jamie Smith, STR Honda's Jordan Rose and, surprisingly, PAR's injured Ray Rowson. Qualification will be the name of the game these boys but if they make it through the fraught Saturday sessions expect points.
MX2 is incredibly competitive all the way through the field but a real gaggle of British talent will be aiming to make the grade at Mallory and certainly have the talent do so, making the MX2 grid on Sunday and overwhelming British affair.
Super smooth new CCM signing Kristian Whatley follows in dad Jem's footsteps on to the GP scene and will be hoping to give the resurgent British firm a first MX2 start for its new machine, while NA KTM's Michael Phillips fulfils a lifelong ambition and gets his first taste of Grand Prix action just five months after stepping-off the plane from New Zealand.
Nev Bradshaw gets the call up on the DB Racing Honda after some strong early season rides on the domestic front, so too does Relentless Suzuki's popular Lewis Gregory who has been superb on his return from injury and could well turn more than a few heads across the weekend, and now RHL Suzuki backed Ashley Greedy gets the chance to showcase his skills on the big stage too and hopefully put a smile on Hockey's face with a qualification. There's no luck though for Meredith Suzuki's Joe Dark, however, which is a real shame after his excellent performances so far this year.
The track is fast, spectacular, but with enough technical and open sections to make great racing and everything for an unforgettable weekend, from the entertainment to the toilets, should already be in place down at Mallory Park so all that remains is for you to get down there, get supporting the British riders and teams, and have the weekend of the year.
See you there.