It's a dust-up at Bevercotes
By TMX Archives on 6th May 09
FOR the second week running, dust ruined an AMCA Championship round, as officials were forced to abandon round two of the series at Bevercotes with just two blocks completed.Yes, this was the right decision with safety of paramount importance, but it again left all the riders asking why was the circuit so dry?
Even with the overnight assistance of the big watering can in the sky, there appeared to be very little moisture in the ground and with dust already rising during early morning practice, it was obvious that the club would be fighting a losing battle in their bid to complete a full programme.
In the two blocks of action that was held, Brad O'Leary, despite still suffering from a sore shoulder injury sustained the previous week at Culham, took both MX1 moto wins to leapfrog Charlie Hollis and move 14 points clear at the top of the championship standings, whilst Lee Dunham maintained his early MX2 series lead, his advantage now 21 points.
Just a week after scoring his maiden AMCA Championship meeting overall win, Dunham topped the Bevercotes podium with a strong 3-1 score-card that included a stunning late moto two pass on rival Lee Payne.
MX1
GOING into the Bevercotes event as MX1 series leader, Charlie Hollis struck trouble during practice when a collision with a slowing rider punched a hole through his Honda's gearbox casing. Jumping aboard his spare machine, Charlie along with Brad O'Leary both grabbed a moto one holeshot in a race that was twice restarted due to a sticking gate.
On the final time of asking though it was to be Jamie Powell who was fastest man away with Hollis, David Campbell, Tim Truman, Ben Saunders and Brad O'Leary in tow. Showing very impressive early season form, Hollis quickly reeled in Powell with Saunders and O'Leary then also further relegating the Welsh KTM rider.
Like O'Leary, Delkevic Kawasaki rider Saunders was also suffering from a shoulder injury but this did not prevent the dynamic duo charging hard after leader Hollis, although it did appear that the rapid Proppa.com Honda rider had already fabricated a moto winning advantage.
However, Hollis then made a crucial mistake slipping off on the slick track and it was O'Leary who took advantage by stylishly moving into the lead.
In the closing stages, O'Leary stretched his advantage at the front to earn a comfortable win by nearly nine seconds with Saunders second and Hollis, who was holding off a very determined late charge from Brad Turner, in third.
Completing the top ten was Campbell, Truman, Elliot Barrs, Clinton Barrs, James Russell and early leader Powell.
MX2
AFTER his disappointment at Culham in round one, reigning champion Phil Mercer recorded the fastest MX2 qualifying time before grabbing the opening moto holeshot at Bevercotes.
In the early exchanges it was Shane Holmes, Lee Dunham, the impressive Dale Halls, Matt Porter, Sean Frayne and Mark Hooley who took up the challenge of Mercer. In a thrilling couple of laps, Holmes locked horns with Dunham before taking an unwanted excursion into the ropes then Dunham was passed himself by Porter.
Setting off in hot pursuit of Mercer, Porter narrowed the gap down to just 3.5-seconds before the chequered flag halted his charge. Taking third was Dunham whilst Frayne, Hooley, Lee Payne, Holmes, Halls, Chad Yarranton and Jamie Dobson rounded off the top ten.
With a lightning quick holeshot, Payne led away the moto two pack with Porter, Hooley, Holmes, Dunham, Scott Mathia, Frayne, Luke Spence and Mercer giving chase.
Although by this stage of the meeting, the conditions were at their worst and visibility particularly poor for mid-pack riders, the MX2 riders still served up a classic tussle for honours.
First Dunham showed a remarkable turn of speed to make clever, calculated passes stick on Holmes, Hooley and Porter and move up into second whilst Mercer, determined to move up the leaderboard, became locked in a frantic battle with Frayne in sixth.
On the leaderboard that was constantly changing, the most significant movement was then produced by a sheer piece of Dunham magic.
Hot on the heels of Payne as the riders passed the last lap flag to start their final circuit, Dunham dived inside the startled Malin Floors/ Servo Racing KTM rider to snatch the lead.
Payne appeared totally stunned by the move and could not find a response. Indeed, such was the late race speed that Dunham had generated that he eventually opened up a 3.5-second lead on that last lap to earn another vital victory in his title quest whilst Holmes again proved that he is up for the AMCA MX2 Championship challenge with an impressive third spot. Despite still riding his 2008 KTM, Hooley earned fourth, with Porter, Mercer, Frayne, Spence, Mathia and Jonathan Slesser completing the top ten in that order.
For full report see T+MX NEWS, Friday, May 8, 2009
Phil Mercer (200) leads Lee Dunham (2) and Dale Halls in an early MX2 battle at the dusty Bevercotes circuit on Sunday...