Coppins heads the charge to Hawkstone Park
By G2F on 27th Feb 08
Hawkstone Park International Moto-X Sunday 2nd March 2008.
New Zealand's Josh Coppins will arrive at Hawkstone Park this weekend in hotform following his total domination of the French international meeting lastSunday. The highly popular kiwi won all three motos in Valence to confirm thathe is very much focussed on winning the World title he missed out on lastseason, when a cruel injury robbed him of the championship he was leading at thetime. Coppins' visit to the famous sandy Shropshire circuit will not be withoutchallenge, with current MX1 World champion Steve Ramon also showing good pace atthe French meeting.
Other MX1 Hawkstone hopefuls in the form of Max Nagl, Ken De Dyker and JulienBill all proved their early season pace to complete the top six at Valence, andwill arrive in the UK with a point to prove not only against each other, butalso against what is still regarded as one of the toughest tracks on the planet.
In the MX2 class Britain's vice World champion Tommy Searle just missed outon the overall win in France due to a poor second moto showing, and was knockedoff the top spot by Tyla Rattray. Both of these young pretenders will be back inaction at Hawkstone Park, when the battle will be re-ignited not only for MX2honours, but also in the Grand Final when the smaller capacity bikes come upagainst their bigger counterparts.
Local rider Ray Rowson heads to his main home meeting of the year inexcellent shape having gone 1-2 at the opening round of the British Openchampionship held in Devon last Sunday. Despite sharing the same points aseventual winner Wayne Smith, who will also be competing at the HawkstoneInternational, Rowson had to settle for the runners up berth due to beingdefeated in the second moto. Rowson will no doubt be looking for revenge overSmith at this weekend's showdown, and is sure to have plenty of local support toencourage him to compete high up the order.
The Hawkstone International always attracts a large crowd, so visitors areadvised to arrive early. Hawkstone Park is located ten miles north of Shrewsburyand will be signed from the A49 and A53. Entrance tickets will be readilyavailable at the gate on the day. Entrance tickets, including full paddockaccess will be priced £25.00 for adults and £15.00 for children (aged 5-15 yearsold) / OAP's – Children under 5 years old can enter free of charge ifaccompanied by an adult.
Programme of Events
09.00 – 09.40 MX2 Qualifying Group A - 10 minutes free practice / 20 minutestimed / 5 minutes start
09.45 – 10.25 MX2 Qualifying Group B - 10 minutes free practice / 20 minutestimed / 5 minutes start
10.30 – 11.10 Open Qualifying - 10 minutes free practice / 20 minutes timed/5 minutes start
Interval
12.00 Race 1 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
12.40 Race 2 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
1.20 Race 3 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
2.00 Race 4 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
2.40 Race 5 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
3.20 Race 6 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
4.10 Race 7 International Grand Final 25 minutes + 2 Laps