MX Diary: Marty guns for a home victory
By Team TMX on 8th Jun 16
Buildbase Hondas Martin Barr starts with home advantage at round four of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean at Desertmartin on Sunday (June 12).
The Irishman took the overall last time out at Hawkstone Park and will carry the MX2 series leader's red plate – along with a lot of confidence – into the event.
"I'm really looking forward to racing at Desertmartin, especially now with the red plate,” he said. "It's going to be something special in front of all of my family and friends. I know the guys at the track have been doing a lot of work over the last few weeks just to get it ready and I'm just hoping they get a bit of weather on their side this time.
"I'm sure that everybody is going to come out in force to support myself and Graeme Irwin, a couple of lads who have been doing well in the British championship.”
The last time the series visited the spectacular sand circuit was in 2013 when Barr took a race win but the MX2 overall was claimed by Scotsman Bryan MacKenzie (Apico Husqvarna).
MacKenzie is in great form this season and won the opening race at Hawkstone to help strengthen his hold on third in the championship. He's currently just 17 points behind Barr and only six behind his team-mate Steven Clarke who led the series after two rounds.
The trio were all in action last weekend at round three of the Pirelli Masters at Landrake where MacKenzie came out on top but it's too close to call and all three are capable of winning on Sunday.
"I love Desertmartin and it's one of my favourite tracks,” said Clarke. "I am more of a clay rider but something just seems to click at Desertmartin for me. Rain or shine it's gonna be good.”
Jake Millward (Verde Racing KTM) sits fourth in the series, five points ahead of Adam Sterry (Wilvo Virus KTM) who missed the opening round with a broken wrist. The teenager is recovering well from his early-season setback and took a second race 13th at last weekend's French GP.
James Dunn (Hitachi REVO Husqvarna) is back in action after hitting his head at Hawkstone Park and will be keen to regain some ground on the leaders.
MX1 championship leader Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Virus KTM) will be racing with a broken hand sustained at the Spanish GP. He sat out the French GP to speed his recovery time and will renew his battle with Tommy Searle (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki) in Northern Ireland.
"I'm looking forward to Desertmartin,” said Simpson. "The last time I rode there was in 2012 – I didn't have a great day there that time but I am looking forward to going back. It's always well prepared – it's a nice track and one that I definitely think should always be on the calendar.”
After three rounds the defending champion holds a 10-point lead over Searle who still managed to run 2-2 at Hawkstone despite feeling below par following his huge crash at Canada Heights.
There's another local hero in third with Graeme Irwin (Buildbase Honda) desperate to win in front of his home fans. Currently 36 points off the leader's pace, he knows he needs to start bridging the gap to the front.
With a pair of third-placed finishes last time out at Hawkstone, Jake Nicholls (Hitachi REVO Husqvarna) is picking up the pace and you can't rule out former champs Kristian Whatley (Buildbase Honda) and Brad Anderson (Verde Racing KTM) – or, for that matter, Tanel Leok (MVR-D Husqvarna) and Elliott Banks-Browne (Geartec Yamaha) – from putting on a podium push.
Desertmartin is located just off the A29 near Magherafelt. Postcode is BT45 5QW. Practice starts at 9am with the first race at 11.55am. Admission is £20 for adults and £5 for children.
