MX Diary: Foxhill Photo Finish
By Sean Lawless on 14th Sep 16
The 2016 Maxxis British Motocross Championship signs off at Foxhill on Sunday with both Pro titles still wide open in one of the closest finishes for years.
This time last year Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Virus KTM) had already retained his crown but fast forward 12 months and he finds himself in second, trailing Tommy Searle (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki) by eight points.
If Simpson wins both MX1 motos all Searle needs to do is follow him home twice to make sure of the title.
Of course, that's easier said than done – especially when you add Jake Nicholls (Hitachi REVO Husqvarna) and Graeme Irwin (Buildbase Honda) to the mix.
Depending on the weather the former GP track can be almost blue-groove hardpack or an horrendous mudfest.
The forecast is dry for the weekend and this shouldn't hand either Searle or Simpson a clear advantage.
Nicholls broke ribs at the Assen GP at the end of August and was still suffering at Glen Helen.
Currently 20 points behind Simpson and 37 ahead of Irwin, he's pretty much assured of the series bronze.
After seven rounds and 14 MX2 races there's just one point in it at the top with Adam Sterry (Wilvo Virus KTM) leading Steven Clarke (Apico Husqvarna).
Sterry was forced to miss the first round after breaking his wrist at the opening GP of the season and has been playing catch-up ever since, finally taking the lead last time out at Preston Docks.
Clarke's team-mate Bryan MacKenzie is third in the standings a further 18 points behind and Martin Barr (Buildbase Honda) still has a mathematical – if pretty slim – shot at the title.
In the MXY2 division James Carpenter (Holeshot MX Honda) leads Michael Ellis (P&H KTM) by 32 points with Henry Williams (RFX KTM) another three points adrift.
Foxhill is located off the A419 on the outskirts of Swindon. Postcode is SN4 0DR.
