Countdown to Culham
By TMX Archives on 4th May 12
With the first round of the SMCA Open Series not going according to plan, the round at Culham on Sunday, May 6, will now become round one. With the weather of late, it is unlikely to be a repeat of Swanmore at that meeting the dusty conditions meant the field was split into two groups and as a result it was impossible to award championship points!
This weekend's round, which incorporates the SMCA Championship and is supported by Wizard Wash, is part of the two-day Culham Vintage Motocross Festival.
As the name suggests it includes several ‘vintage' classes, but it was great news when CMR Events agreed to host a round of the new sidecar series for modern chairs on the Sunday.
There is a full line up of 34 modern sidecars with several reserves hoping that someone will drop out before the day!
The line-up includes six out of the top ten from the 2011 Maxxis British Sidecar Championship – Dan and Joe Millard, Jack Etheridge/ Ryan Humphrey, Andy and Tim Breacher, Brett Wilkinson/ Craig Parmenter, Rob Oldfield/ John Murch and Dave Goddard/ Ian Sheppard.
British Clubman's Championship contenders make up 25 of the starters plus last years champions Neil and Michael Franks.
The final two places on the grid have been taken from riders from across the water – Neil Campbell and Ross Graham from Northern Ireland and Clint Brabham who is visiting from Australia and has borrowed Doug Woods as his passenger!
So great is the popularity of this event Stuart Brown and Josh Chamberlain, the current British Sidecar Champions, could only make the reserve list for the modern class. However, the pair will be making an appearance in the Evo Sidecar class! Should they be lucky enough to get a place in the modern class, then spectators will get to watch the pair in action in both classes.
With this line-up it should be an exciting event, especially when you realise the programme also includes a round of the Dave Thorpe Evo Series, Evo side-cars, Twin-shock side-cars and solos, Pre 65/74 solos and Youth Vintage solos. There will also be Evo Quads and Trike demonstrations.
Don't forget to take along your wallets as the SMCA will be holding a raffle in aid of the Air Ambulance – it's chosen charity for 2012, with a whole range of prizes up for grabs.
All this for just £5 per day, and camping free – it sounds like a weekend not to be missed!
Culham Vintage Motocross Festival is at Culham on May 5/6, with the SMCA Open Series on the Sunday. The track can be found off the A415 Abingdon road – Postcode: OX14 3DA.
