MOTOCROS DIARY: Shaun’s Fox trot
By Sean Lawless on 15th Jul 15
Shaun Simpson and Max Anstie head to Foxhill on Sunday (July 19) for round six of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship powered by Skye Energy as hot favourites to pick up where they left off at Blaxhall last month.
Simpson (Hitachi Revo KTM UK) has claimed every MX1 overall decision in the Maxxis series so far this season and with Steven Frossard, the only man to take race wins from him, no longer contesting the championship another three moto victories look likely.
That's not to say there aren't some seriously quick competitors lining up next to the super Scot but in the world championship this year we've seen how Simpson revels on the big tracks – and tracks don't come much bigger than the fast, hardpack former GP circuit.
Estonian Tanel Leok (LPE Racing Kawasaki) sits second in the standings but is a massive 84 points adrift of the series lead with fellow countryman Gert Krestinov (Buildbase Honda) in third, 22 points further back.
Former champions Kristian Whatley (Buildbase Honda) and Brad Anderson (MBO Power ASA Yamaha) know their way around Foxhill as well as anyone but there's a question mark hanging over Whatley's fitness after his recent collarbone injury.
Jake Nicholls (Wilvo Forkrent KTM) crashed hard at the recent MXGP of Latvia but should be back in action at the weekend and Elliott Banks-Browne (Geartec Suzuki), who won at the venue last season, could threaten for a podium as he continues his return from injury.
Martin Barr (ERT KTM), Ashley Wilde (Toughsheet Honda) and Graeme Irwin (Heads & All Threads Suzuki) should also figure in the results but Simpson's the man they all need to beat.
After missing the opening round with an injury sustained at the GP of Qatar, Max Anstie (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki) has dominated the MX2 class.
Apart from three runner-up spots at Hawkstone Park behind wildcard Jeffrey Herlings the 22-year-old has won every moto and last time out finally took the red series leader's plate from Steven Lenoir (Dyer & Butler KTM).
Anstie's also coming into Foxhill on the back of a double GP win in Latvia so his confidence will be soaring.
Early season pace-setter Ben Watson (Hitachi Revo KTM UK) sits third ahead of Scotsman Bryan MacKenzie (Pendrich Kawasaki) and teenager Adam Sterry (Wilvo Forkrent KTM). Expect Steven Clarke (Apico Husqvarna), overall winner at Foxhill last season, to be up at the pointy end of the field as well.
Foxhill also marks the fifth round of the Veterans championship and Ryan Voase currently leads by 45 points from Brian Wheeler.
The battle for second in the championship is very tight with just one point separating Wheeler and multi-time Vets champion Phil Mercer.
The action starts at 9am with qualifying sessions followed by the first main race at 12.15pm. Foxhill is situated four miles east of Swindon. Postcode is SN4 0DR.
Admission is £20 for adults and £5 for children under 15 with no charge for under fives. Family tickets are available priced at £45.
