MX Diary: Nats all set for Farleigh fling
By Team TMX on 10th Aug 16
The eighth and penultimate round of the Acerbis Amateur Nationals takes place at the historic Farleigh Castle track this weekend (August 13/14).
With five blocks of racing across seven classes it's going to be a packed programme on the old-school grass circuit with precise throttle control on all those slippery off-cambers the key to fast lap times.
MX1 is looking like pretty much a foregone conclusion with Harry Bradley 169 points clear at the front. Michael Smith is the rider in second but with third-placed Jacob Joyce out with a broken wrist it's odds-on that Cory Nemeth will move up a position.
This time last year Brad Wheeler had given up his championship hopes in the Craigs Motorcycles-backed MX2 class and gone under the surgeon's knife to fix a knee injury – fast forward 12 months and he's in a position to wrap up the title a round early.
Wheeler's 214 points clear of Danny Wright who will be concentrating on keeping Rob Ainley and defending champion Lewis Meadows behind him.
LeadWhile his lad's been doing the business in MX2, Brian Wheeler's recovered from a few mechanical problems to open up a 47-point lead over Richard Collins in the CNR Vets thanks to a 13-race win-streak.
David Campbell is third a further 122 points off the pace and, realistically, it's going to take an error from Wheeler or a mechanical problem to stop him taking another clean sweep of the motos.
With six overall wins to his name, Alan Eaves leads David Clayborn in the Vets Over 50s by 136 points.
Ash Harland leads early-season pace-setter Jack Drogan by 66 points in the 125cc class. While 15-year-old Dylan Spencer might have left his charge too late to take the title, the Midlander – who took his debut overall last time out at Preston Docks – is just three points away from second.
The 250cc Two-stroke Open class is even tighter with Jake Preston closing in on Paul Johnston who has led since the opening round.
Over the last three rounds Preston has taken 67 points out of the Scot's lead and now trails by 59 points. Dylan Hodgkins is third another 74 points further back.On the back of a phenomenal race one 10th at the Swiss round of the WMX series, Stacey Fisher heads to Farleigh with a 147-point lead in the Moto Connection Ladies class.
Unbeaten by a registered rider this year, Fisher had a big crash at Farleigh in 2015 but if she can stay upright she should be good for another maximum haul.
Silje Otte is second with Beth Farmer 52 points behind in third.
James Griffiths had a rough day at Preston Docks but still leads Jamie Bevin in the Junior Open class by 78 points with Ben Walsh third.
Farleigh Castle is just off the A366 at Farleigh Hungerford in Somerset. Postcode is BA2 7RR. Practice starts at 9am with racing from 10.15am.
