Preview: MX Nationals hits the Docks
By TMX Archives on 29th Mar 17
With the planned opening round at FatCat MP (March 4/5) washed away and cancelled, MX Nationals will start afresh this weekend at Preston Docks.
Replacing the original FatCat round, a trip to Sherwood Notts is now on the race calendar and this will be round four on July /9.
The FatCat round would have been the opening National championship event of the year but now some four weeks on, better clues exist as to who might be hitting the high notes in youth action.
The 85s get to race together (scored separately) and likewise the guys of MXY2 get mixed up nicely with 125s scrapping away along side the 250F banger boys, again scored separately.
In the Small-wheel 85s, and following their close-quarters head-to-head at the recent British Youth National round all eyes will be on Charlie Heyman and Alfie Jones.
Ultimately after five thrilling races Heyman won out in that first encounter carding four race wins, but Jones will be all out to even the score.
Oliver Barr and Bailey Johnson have already tasted podium success at the Docks this year, running first and second overall respectively at the Judd British Premier Cup meeting.
Barr was a three-times race winner that weekend and Johnson nailed the other heat win, so definitely watch out for this pair as possible podium candidates.
Returning from injury and in his first competitive races since last September, Dominic Lancett walked away with the overall win in Big-wheel 85s at the British Youth National opener. On the back of that showing he surely starts as a hot favourite at the Docks.
Team Green Kawasaki hopes rest with Bobby Bruce, who has had a great start to the season in ACU competition, as have Lewis Wood, James Smith, Kyle McNichol and Louie Kessell.
All of these plus BSMA opening-round winner James Hanscombe will be aiming for a podium finish.
On the face of it, looking at the top entry, MXY2 at MX Nationals is shaping up to be one of the must-see events on the youth calendar.
The 125cc two stroke and 250F runners line-up together and it could be epic.
The classes are scored separately and the four-banger crew do have an advantage.
That said, in real terms there's every chance a two-stroke runner could be over the line first.
Topping the bill in the 125s will be the BYNats opening round winner and last year's BYN Big-Wheel champion Rossi Beard. He can expect fireworks and a serious challenge from the likes of Sam Nunn, Josh Peters, Joel Rizzi and Ike Carter.
Preston Williams and Reece Martin will also fancy their chances of making it up at the sharp end.
Taking a look at the banger class entry, Team Green star Lewis Hall gooing bar-to-bar with fellow Kawasaki pilot Keenan Hird as they were at the Maxxis MXY2 opener is a possibility.
Others to watch out for on current form include, Joe Cadwallader, Aaron Lee Hanson, Ben Clark and Jake Curtis Stevens.
In the Bell British Expert Cup races Jake Edey is having a tilt at the MX2 class while Manxman Jed Etchells is out in the MX1 division.
Dates and Venues
Rd 1 April 1/2 Preston Docks
Rd 2 May 6/7 Lyng.
Rd 3 June 10/11 Hawkstone Park
Rd 4 July 8/9 Sherwood MX
Rd 5 July 22/23 Canada Heights.
Rd 6 August 12/13 Foxhill.
