MX Diary: Maxx power
By TMX Archives on 18th May 16
The Maxxis British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean fires back into action on Sunday (May 22) with round three of the series at the historic Hawkstone Park.
After being defeated at the opening round by Tommy Searle (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki), defending champion Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Virus KTM) bounced back last time out at Canada Heights to move into the lead in MX1.
Searle, a double race winner at the opening round, recovered from a huge crash in the first race in Kent to win moto two and tails Simpson by just four points heading into the Shropshire sand.
"I had a tough first round at Lyng but again managed to be consistent and score a 2-2 on the day,” said the Scot. "I love Canada Heights so going 1-2 for the overall win and picking up the red plate there was great.
"I would like to continue that form into Hawkstone this weekend as I love the circuit, plenty of jumps and passing places which produce some great racing.
"The goal is 1-1 on the day and stretch out my championship lead.”
Searle, however, has other ideas...
"I'm glad after the crash I had at Canada Heights I had no lasting injuries as it was a big crash,” he said. "I'm glad I managed to fight back and get some points and I'm only a few behind the championship lead as we head to Hawkstone.
"Hawkstone is a great track and the fans are always really supportive. I'm looking forward to going there and getting some strong results and I want to be leaving there holding the red plate again.”
Currently holding down third in the MX1 class, Graeme Irwin (Buildbase Honda) has started the season in great form and is looking to hunt down the leading pair.
"I'm really happy with the way I have been riding so far this season and I will be pushing hard for some more good results at Hawkstone Park this weekend,” said Irwin. "The track is always well prepped and awesome to ride. It is one of my favourite tracks and has a really old-school feeling to it. I'm looking forward to battling for the wins this weekend.”
There's real talent in depth in MX1 this year so the leading three are by no means the only podium candidates.
Tanel Leok (MVR-D Husqvarna) and Kristian Whatley (Buildbase Honda) are joint fourth with 2015 MX2 champion Steven Lenoir (Dyer & Butler KTM) sixth. And you can't rule out former champ Brad Anderson (Verde Racing KTM) and Jake Nicholls (Hitachi REVO Husqvarna).
It's super-tight at the top of MX2 where a single point separates the top three with Steve Clarke (Apico Husqvarna) tied with James Dunn (Hitachi REVO Husqvarna) and Martin Barr (Buildbase Honda) holding third.
"I'm really excited for Hawkstone this weekend,” said Clarkey. "It's the closest British championship to my house and I'll have plenty of family and friends there supporting me.
"The track is always good and the title hunt is tight so it should make for some awesome racing. My season has been pretty good so far – I've been on the podium in every moto excluding my DNF at Lyng where I was running in third place at the time.”
Dunn, who's currently racing GPs as a fill-in for his injured team-mate Ben Watson, is enjoying his best season ever.
"I've had a great start to the season this year,” he said. "I'm tied on equal points for the lead and I feel very comfortable on my Husqvarna. I've also raced a few MX2 GPs which has been a great experience.
Crowd
"I'm really looking forward to Hawkstone on Sunday, it's a great track and normally attracts a great crowd!”
Barr will be looking for two solid rides to snatch the red series leader's plate.
"My season so far has been going pretty good,” he said. "I'm really happy with my speed and fitness and the bike is working perfectly. I'm really looking forward to Hawkstone as it's one of my favourite tracks on the calendar and it should make for a good day's racing.”
Clarke's team-mate Bryan MacKenzie put in a great performance at Canada Heights to take second overall and he'll be hoping for a repeat performance and Adam Sterry (Wilvo Virus KTM) and Mel Pocock (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki) - both coming back from injury - should figure up front.
In the MXY2 class current leader Alexander Brown (Apico Husqvarna) will be missing through injury which gives second-placed James Carpenter (Phoenix Tools Honda) a great chance to move to the top of the standings.
Tickets - available on the gate only - cost £20 for Adults and £5 for children under 14. Camping is £10 per pitch and will be open from Saturday.
The action kicks off at 9am on Sunday. Postcode is SY4 4NA.
