Bridgestone British Masters Round Four Report and Pictures

By Dick Law on 25th Jul 23

Steven Clarke, on his Store 114 Racing Honda, won the Elite MX1 class at round four of the Bridgestone British Masters at Culham Moto Park. Callum Mitchell (Lexa MX Racing Husqvarna) won both Elite MX2 races in the poorly supported Pro classes.

The weather wasn't the best over the weekend, with drizzle, heavier rain spells and bursts of strong winds making it a bit miserable for everyone, especially the marshals, on Saturday. But on Sunday we were all treated to a bit of sunshine with showers making it a bit more interesting. Considering all the weather, the track crew did a great job keeping the meeting running.

Charlie Putnam was fast from the gate in the Pro races

Charlie Putnam (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna), who was just back from racing in the AMA Championship, got the holeshot at the start of the first combined Pro MX1 and MX2 race and was followed around the first turn by Richard McKeown (RM 22 Husqvarna), Drew Anderson (Husqvarna), and Dan Thornhill (Chambers GASGAS) with Clarke, who missed the start completely, in last place.

By the end of the first lap, Anderson was in the lead as Putnam and Thornhill battled over second place with Clarke, who had already passed half of the small pro field, already up to fifth. Ironman Neville Bradshaw (Suzuki), was riding two classes, the other being the 125cc class, had gated almost last but was already powering his way towards the front of the pack with what looked ease.

On lap five, Thornhill went down and pulled out of the race and the event, his still damaged hand just not working right for racing.

At the halfway point, Clarke was already in the lead with the first of the three MX2 riders, Mitchell in second on the track with the flying Bradshaw third. Putnam had settled into fourth place with the second of the MX2 riders, Alfie Jones (Chambers Husqvarna) fifth.

For the rest of the race, the running order stayed the same.

Once again, Putnam got the holeshot at the start of race two, with McKeown and Clarke following around turn one, but by the end of the lap, Clarke was in the lead and was unchallenged till the end of the race. Putnam held onto second place as first Mitchell passed McKeown, then Jones and Bradshaw.

Daniel Hutchinson (DMH Advantage Husqvarna) and Harry Bradley (ORW-SM Pro Kawasaki) spent the first half of the race passing and re-passing each other almost on every lap till Bradley upped his pace to finish fifth leaving Hutchinson eighth.

Bradshaw had a better start and finished third for third overall behind Clarke and Putnam in the MX1 class, while the three MX2 riders finished with Mitchell winning from Jones and Hutchinson.

"I am really buzzing after that,” said a happy Clarke. "In the first one, I didn't get the best of starts as I stalled it on the gate trying to spin the rear tyre on the gate. It was an absolute rookie mistake, and I must hold my hand up for that one. But I made some good passes, got into the lead, and was helped when Dan (Thornhill) went down after his front wheel tucked under. But you have to keep it on two wheels to win. In the second one, I was second out of the gate behind Charlie (Putnam), passed him, put in a couple of fast laps, put it in cruise mode, and brought it home".

Second place man overall, Putnam said, "It's been great fun today as they run a brilliant event here. In the first race, I just pumped up and I tried to ride a bit too reserved but in the second I thought just go for it".

Ironman Bradshaw said from his third-place podium, "It's all been good. I just wanted to get some extra laps in as I was also riding the 125cc class and won that but the 450 was for some extra laps. I started last in both races but managed to work my way through to second in race one and third in the last. I had a good pace and had a good feeling on the 450 for once. I wouldn't say I like racing 450s much. It's all a build-up to VMXDN at Foxhill, and this is the first weekend of a block of five races, so I am happy with that.”

Calum Mitchell was top dog in the MX2 class

First place in the MX2 side of the event, Mitchell said, "Happy days. I went 1-1 and the track was good as it's been nearly a year since I have ridden here, so it was nice to ride a different track and to get ready for the next national.”

Jones said from second on the podium, "I am happy as this is my first race back from injury. I got off to a good start in the first race and was strong for the first 10 minutes till I started to fade with arm pump and other this as I have been off the bike for so long. In the second race, it was the same thing over again. I want to finish off the year with a high now.”

Third place rider overall, Hutchinson said, "It's been a good day, and I have enjoyed it. In the first race wasn't great but I got a better flow in the second one and had a couple of battles which are always fun.”

Wildcard rider Scott Aldridge won the Amateur MX1 class despite a first lap crash in race three that would see him finish the race in ninth place. But, adding that score with a win and two second places were enough to give him the overall. Race three winner John Joe Wright (Mr Dig Groundworks Honda) was second with the likeable Simon Booth (Acerbis KTM), who scored his first national race win, third.

Ashley Greedy, another wildcard rider, won all four amateur MX2 races for the overall win. Rory Jones (IDS KTM), who didn't finish out of the top three all weekend, was second, with Patrick Jackson third.

Yet another wildcard rider Lenny Ashley with four wins from four starts, won the clubman class with Kane Fisher (PR Crane Yamaha) and Lee Clarkson (Husqvarna) tied on points in second and third.

With two race wins and a second place, wildcard rider Neville Bradshaw (Yamaha) won the 125cc two-stroke class from Beau Brown (KTM) with Corey Hockey (Husqvarna) third.

The MXY2 class saw Bayliss Utting come away with the win

On the youth side of things. After being pushed down to second place by Mckenzie Marshall (DK Offroad Yamaha) in race one, Bayliss Utting (Gibbons Plant Husqvarna) went on to win the next three MXY2 races for the overall win. Marshall was second, with wildcard rider Louis Vincent third.

Josh Vail (SJP Moto Husqvarna) continued his winning ways by being unbeaten in the BW85 class. With four high places finishes, Jorge Parkin (SPS MC KTM) was second overall, with Ryan Clift third, just two points behind Parkin.

With two race wins and two-second places, Lucas Lee (Ken Rodney Construction Husqvarna) won the SW85s beating fancied rider Joel Winstanley-Dawson (Castle Trucks KTM), who missed the start of race two, into second place with Jenson Severn (Rod Sten Brickwork GASGAS) third.

Casey Lister (VIP Motocross GASGAS) was unbeaten in the junior 65s, with Nixon Coppins (Yamaha) second and with Arthur King (Motoverde KTM) third.

The fifth round of the Bridgestone British Masters is at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire on August 19/20. Book in and be there.

Results

Pro MX1

1	Steven Clarke	Store 114 Racing Honda	45 + 45 = 90
2	Charlie Putnam	SC Sporthomes Husqvarna	41 + 43 = 84
3	Neville Bradshaw	Suzuki	43 + 41 = 84
4	Harry Bradley	ORW-SM Pro Kawasaki	39 + 39 = 78
5	Richard McKeown	RM 22 Husqvarna	37 + 37 = 74
6	Travis Steels	GASGAS	34 + 35 = 69
7	Aaron Ongley	723 Race Bikes Husqvarna	33 + 34 = 67
8	Drew Anderson	Husqvarna	35 + 0 = 35

Pro MX2

1	Callum Mitchell	Lexa MX Racing Husqvarna	45 + 45 = 90
2	Alfie Jones	Chambers Husqvarna	43 + 43 = 86
3	Daniel Hutchinson	DMH Advantage Husqvarna	41 + 41 = 82

Amateur MX1

1	Scott Aldridge	KTM	45 + 43 + 32 + 43 = 163
2	John Joe Wright	Mr Dig Groundworks Honda	41 + 37 + 45 + 30 = 153
3	Simon Booth	Acerbis KTM	33 + 39 + 35 + 45 = 152
4	Josh Greedy	Kawasaki	37 + 33 + 37 + 41 = 148
5	Brad Thornhill	LMC & Radcord KTM	26 + 41 + 43 + 33 = 143
6	Ryan Osborn	Twojs Metal Work KTM	39 + 31 + 30 + 39 = 139
7	Daniel Maule	AST Recycling Husqvarna	32 + 29 + 41 + 37 = 139
8	Sean Williamson	KTM	29 + 32 + 34 + 32 = 127
9	Jamie Dixon	P and S Auto KTM	30 + 34 + 26 + 34 = 124
10	Oliver Ruddock	Aristocars KTM	35 + 24 + 33 + 27 = 119

Amateur MX2

1	Ashley Greedy	GASGAS	45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2	Rory Jones	IDS Transport KTM	43 + 41 + 41 + 43 = 168
3	Patrick Jackson	Yamaha	39 + 39 + 43 + 41 = 162
4	Henry Siddiqui	Apico Husqvarna	41 + 43 + 39 + 27 = 150
5	Mitchell Armour	Call-Mac Husqvarna	28 + 37 + 37 + 39 = 141
6	Callum Murfitt	Team PP Sports KTM	33 + 34 + 34 + 37 = 138
7	Leon Williams	Husqvarna	34 + 33 + 31 + 32 = 130
8	Syd Putnam	SC Sporthomes Husqvarna	26 + 32 + 28 + 33 = 119
9	Mitchell Warhurst	KTM	29 + 30 + 32 + 28 = 119
10	Jonathan Rodenick-Evans	Husqvarna	25 + 28 + 29 + 35 = 117

Clubman

1	Lenny Ashley	GASGAS	45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2	Kane Fisher	PR Crane Yamaha	41 + 41 + 35 + 43 = 160
3	Lee Clarkson	Husqvarna	33 + 43 + 43 + 41 = 160
4	Colin McLuckie	Honda	43 + 31 + 33 + 39 = 146
5	Hayden Stevens	KTM	30 + 34 + 39 + 37 = 140
6	Richard Roberts	Rutzz.co.uk Yamaha	39 + 39 + 37 + 23 = 138
7	Josh Young	KTM	34 + 33 + 30 + 35 = 132
8	Nathan Heath	KTM	32 + 35 + 32 + 33 = 132
9	Mark Kinsley	Man Scaffolding Yamaha	26 + 29 + 34 + 28 = 117
10	Daniel Chapman	Honda	29 + 37 + 24 + 21 = 111

125cc

1	Neville Bradshaw	Yamaha	43 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 178
2	Beau Brown	KTM	35 + 41 + 43 + 43 = 162
3	Corey Hockey	Husqvarna	39 + 35 + 37 + 41 = 152
4	Freddie Gardiner	Team Matt Gardiner KTM	45 + 27 + 39 + 39 = 150
5	Daniel Brough	Rutzz.co.uk Yamaha	37 + 43 + 34 + 35 = 149
6	Archie Gridham	Husqvarna	33 + 39 + 41 + 31 = 144
7	Chester Hyde	Matt Pope GASGAS	32 + 34 + 33 + 32 = 131
8	Harry Barker	HRH Group Yamaha	30 + 29 + 30 + 33 = 122
9	Shane Jones	GASGAS	41 + 33 + 0 + 37 = 111
10	Westley McGovin	KTM	34 + 37 + 35 + 0 = 106

MXY2

1	Bayliss Utting	Gibbons Plant Husqvarna	43 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 178
2	Mckenzie Marshall	DK Offroad Yamaha	45 + 43 + 35 + 41 = 164
3	Louis Vincent	KTM	35 + 41 + 43 + 37 = 156
4	Finley Evens	KTM	41 + 39 + 34 + 39 = 153
5	Jak Taylor	W&M Tatchell Husqvarna	39 + 16 + 41 + 43 = 139
6	Sonny Shipton	PW Racing Husqvarna	31 + 34 + 31 + 32 = 128
7	Jack Dando	KTM	32 + 35 + 33 + 28 = 128
8	Jack Wilson	Lyme Design KTM	33 + 32 + 24 + 33 = 122
9	Tye Jones	Dynamic Air KTM	28 + 24 + 39 + 30 = 121
10	Sam Jackson	KTM	21 + 31 + 32 + 31 = 115

BW85

1	Josh Vail	SJP Moto Husqvarna	45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2	Jorge parkin	SPS MC KTM	43 + 37 + 35 + 41 = 156
3	Ryan Clift	Husqvarna	41 + 39 + 37 + 37 = 154
4	Jack Leese	GASGAS	39 + 35 + 43 + 35 = 152
5	Zane Stephens	Troy Lee GASGAS	35 + 41 + 34 + 39 = 149
6	Austin Beasty	Husqvarna	31 + 34 + 39 + 33 = 137
7	Kameron Greenhaigh	Greenhaigh Removals Husqvarna	32 + 43 + 27 + 32 = 134
8	Maison Jones	Electrical Innovations KTM	34 + 25 + 32 + 34 = 125
9	Ethan Jordan	SX Worx KTM	12 + 24 + 41 + 43 = 120
10	Tristan McGrath	KTM	37 + 26 + 30 + 21 = 114

SW85

1	Lucas Lee	Ken Rodney Construction Husqvarna	43 + 45 + 45 + 43 = 175
2	Joel Winstanley-Dawson	Castle Trucks KTM	45 + 39 + 43 + 45 = 172
3	Jenson Severn	Rod Sten Brickwork GASGAS	35 + 41 + 41 + 39 = 156
4	William Evens	GASGAS	37 + 43 + 34 + 32 = 146
5	Olivia Reynolds	Husqvarna	41 + 28 + 35 + 37 = 141
6	Chase Panter	KTM	32 + 33 + 37 + 35 = 137
7	Oscar Gilham	Re-Group UK Husqvarna	33 + 35 + 37 + 35 = 135
8	Archie Butterfield	KTM	29 + 37 + 32 + 33 = 131
9	Caiden Brand	KTM	39 + 27 + 32 + 33 = 121
10	Sean Smout	GASGAS	30 + 31 + 26 + 30 = 117

Junior 65s

1	Casey Lister	VIP Motocross GASGAS	45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2	Nixon Coppins	Yamaha	43 + 41 + 41 + 39 = 164
3	Arthur King	Motoverde KTM	37 + 39 + 37 + 37 = 150
4	Jett Gardiner	Team Matt Gardiner KTM	39 + 29 + 39 + 41 = 148
5	Teddy Merriman	KTM	41 + 37 + 35 + 35 = 148
6	Jamie Currie	JMR Foundation GASGAS	35 + 31 + 33 + 32 = 131
7	John Slade	GASGAS	28 + 34 + 34 + 34 = 130
8	Harley Marczak	JMR Foundation GASGAS	0 + 43 + 43 + 43 = 129
9	Lyall Rutherford	Paint Teck KTM	27 + 30 + 32 + 33 = 122
10	Charley Wilcock	KTM	34 + 32 + 28 + 28 = 122