What will be Whitby?
By TMX Archives on 4th Jun 09
AFTER the resounding success of the first round of the Red Bull Pro Nationals series at Landrake Moto Parc back in April, the MC Federation is all set for round two this weekend at the imposing Skelder Bank circuit just outside Whitby, North Yorkshire.
The Whitby club recently staged its very first club event since affiliation to the MC Federation with great success and used the opportunity to fine tune the circuit. Local heroes James Noble on his MVR-D Suzuki and STR Honda's Jordan Rose also took full advantage of a local race and got in some track time before this weekend's big event. Whitby traditionally draws quite a crowd as the track is just off the main coast road, nestled up on the hills overlooking the town.
Noble and Rose will have plenty of home town support, but it's Noble's Suzuki team-mate Carl Nunn who leads the MX1 series and he'll be confident of retaining his red plate as series leader, especially after being the top British rider at last weekend's British GP at Mallory Park.
Noble took victory in the second moto at the opening round down at Landrake after a mechanical fault in moto one, and he'll be looking to keep the mini win streak going and prevent Nunn from taking another overall win.
Of course they'll be other riders in with a great shout, notably Relentless Suzuki's Scott Columb who was just pipped to the overall by Nunn at the series opener. Red Bull KTM UK's Alex Snow sits in third in the points and will be keen to maintain his position. Add LPE Kawasaki teamster Elliott Banks-Browne into the mix as he gets to grips with the big 450, his returning team-mate Jamie Smith and Samsung Yamaha's Mark Jones and there should be some great racing, especially as they line up alongside the leading MX2 riders for the main races.
However, in that class early season injuries have taken their toll and the top three in the standings are all missing.
Series leader Pascal Leuret on his MAR Honda, MVR-D Suzuki's Matiss Karro and the terribly unlucky Michael Phillips on his DB Racing Honda. Phillips recently had to have his spleen removed following a nasty crash at a Honda video shoot and will be out for some time.
However his team-mate, Neville Bradshaw, is coming off the back of a good performance at the GP and will be a firm favourite for victory. He'll have his work cut out though as Samsung Yamaha's Wayne Smith, who sits in fourth and Red Bull KTM UK's Graeme Irwin, just behind in fifth, will want to take full advantage of the absent series front runners. And LPE Kawasaki pairing of Dan Arnold and Lewis Rose and Twisted 7 Honda's Rickard Sandberg will all be giving it 100% on the well prepared, technical Skelder bank circuit.
Look out for the Proppa.com Van Slam too, where for two insane laps the top 20 quickest qualifiers go at it to get their hands on a brand new VW T5 transporter courtesy of Proppa.com in this mini series. James Noble took the win from Carl Nunn in the first clash but only just! He'll be looking for the same, along with fans.
With the kids of the Red Bull Elite Youth Cup racing all day Saturday and then again on the Sunday for round three of their series and part of an action packed 12-race program, it's going to be stonking weekend, especially if Whitby is blessed with the same weather as Mallory! With a ticket for a family of four costing only 20, you can't go too far wrong for a great weekend of motocross.
Skelder Bank motocross circuit is right off the side of the main A171 trunk road approximately three-miles west of Whitby and is always well signposted.
Anyone wishing to enter the series or find out more please call contact secretary@mcfederation.com or call 01865-342107 or check out the websites
www.redbullpronationals.com or
www.mcfederation.com for more information.
Gates open at 10am. First race at 10.30am. Last race at 4pm.
Admission price: 10, Children under 16 go free. Family ticket 20.