Britain's MX stars to shine at Hawkstone
By G2F on 15th Feb 07
With a host of foreign aces set to invade the legendary Shropshire circuit including Marc de Reuver, Kevin Strijbos, Steve Ramon, Josh Coppins, Mike Brown and Shaun Hamblin, the Brits can't wait.
ONLY two weeks now separate off-road racing fans and their first chance to see Britain's leading trio of motocross riders Carl Nunn, Tommy Searle and Billy MacKenzie fly their new colours. The Hawkstone Park International Motocross on Sunday, March 4, not only counts on an entry list with many star names from the FIM Motocross World Championship, but also all of the UK's main hopes for the 2007 Grand Prix campaign.
Seventeen year-old Searle - 2006 MX2 British Championship runner-up - will take his new factory KTM to Shropshire for his debut on English soil with the Austrian machine (winner of four World Championships in the last seven years). ''I really like the track and everything has been going well with the new team and the bike,'' Britain's breakthrough star in ‘06 said. ''Hawkstone will be my first proper race on the KTM so I am looking forward to it. I have been training hard over the winter and my riding has been good lately so I am feeling positive.''The Salop Motorcycle Club is also pleased to count on the attendance of Britain's main MX1 hope, Billy MacKenzie, now a works Kawasaki rider. The 22-year- old Scot broke his collarbone in January, but has since fully healed and is looking forward to tackling the Hawkstone hill with extra horsepower. ''The year did not start off as I hoped, but the operation went well and the arm feels really strong. I started riding again at the beginning of February and I only had some bike-time to make up,'' the double Japanese GP winner commented.
''It feels great to be on the Kawasaki, it is very strong and that gives you confidence as a rider. I had a good race at Hawkstone last year and I thought it would set me up for a great year although things did not work out despite a few decent races. I like the sand and showed what I could do on a 250 against all the MX1 bikes last time so I have to be optimistic on the KX in March. I want to show the fans that they will really have someone to cheer on in MX1 this season and Hawkstone would be the ideal place to begin the season on the right note.''
Double MX2 British Champion Carl Nunn completes the swap-around as the reigning number one and former KTM pilot assumes the Bike it Yamaha 250cc four-stroke vacated by MacKenzie. ''The team can't do enough for me and we have been doing a lot of testing with new stuff every time,'' remarked Nunn who along with MacKenzie and Searle represented Great Britain in last year's Motocross des Nations. ''I have a new trainer and things are going well. Obviously I like Hawkstone and the Championship win there last year doesn't feel too long ago. The International is not the same as a Grand Prix or British Championship race; it is a chance to see where you are with the bike and prep. Even though it is fun you still really want to win.''
Cutting through the sand with Searle, MacKenzie and Nunn will be Gordon Crockard, Mark Jones, Wayne Smith, Tom Church, Ray Rowson and hopefully multi British Champ Stephen Sword on his way back from a long-term injury.
A large trade village will provide you with bargains galore and will add the final ingredient in what promises to be one of the biggest days in British motocross during 2007. Miss it and miss out. Visitors can save up to £5.00 per ticket by booking in advance and can take advantage of an incredible family offer that represents a £25.00 reduction, all of which will not be available on the gate at these special prices.
Please call 0161-705-2280 or visit www.hawkstonemx.co.uk for discounted tickets, to reserve onsite camping, to gain general information and to explore the limited trade opportunities still
remaining.