MX Diary: Old friends keeping their rivalry alive
By Team TMX on 3rd Aug 16
Theyre not quite the Acerbis Amateur Nationals answer to Statler and Waldorf well, not yet but Vets rivals Paul Coward and David Campbell have both been around the block a few times when it comes to MX.
At the age of 44 Paul's a year ahead of David and between them they've got eight decades of racing experience.
"I started when I was six and went all the way through into the British championship when I was 17,” said Paul, who was one of the first riders on the British championship-winning CAS Honda team. "I jacked it in I think the same year as David and we went into the AMCA after that.”
The pair have been firm friends for years and can usually be found parked up next to each other in the paddock.
"I'm the same as Paul,” said David. "I came up through the schoolboys into the British championship and we did the 125s and 250s together. Then I did GPs through Mitsui Yamaha and carried on through Colin Harrison for a year. Then I did them privately on Hondas before I got a chance with RWJ Honda when Paul Malin hurt his back.”
David, whose best finish in a British championship season was fourth, ended Sunday's seventh round at Preston Docks in second overall. He's also the last rider to beat Brian Wheeler in an Acerbis Nats moto – two months and 13 races ago.
"Brian's on the case,” he said. "He's like all of us – we've all got experience – but he's just on a roll at the moment. Someone needs to stop him and we're trying our best.”
The series' relaxed atmosphere suits both riders.
"This is a great series for us,” added Paul. "We're all here just doing it for the craic – and as long as we keep enjoying it and go home safe we'll keep on.”
