Southern Motocross 2104 review

n Southerndd Motocrossn Southern Motocross

James King and Gary Archer have been squabbling over the top spot in the Dave Kent Over 40s Champs all year with part-time rider Steve Elford putting in the occasional winning appearance, his last round double points grabbing him second sport from injury struggling James King.

The family of Dave Kent who died in late November have said they want to keep the Over 40s Champs going in his memory.

Ian Nurden, Rob Embery and Martin Maisey were the pacesetters for most of the year in the Over 50s champs with Rob out for a period in mid-summer after a spectacular spill.

Then Ian also crashed in a Non-Champs which ended his season a month earlier.

Martin pulled ahead, although Colin Brown won every time he raced but it wasn't enough to get him above fourth spot, finishing just behind Nurden.

Consistent Phil Fordham hit a good run of form as the others faltered and took second place leaving Martin to claim the Hambridge Homes Over 50s Championship.

For full report see TMX issue 1952, January 1, 2015

James King, who hassled him all year, was extremely pleased to clinch second. and Paul Steska whipped Chris West in the last round to secure third.n Report: Tony Ford

n Pictures: Andy Syson

SOUTHERN Motocross rounded off their year with racing on Sunday at Home Farm, in Horsham.

James King and Gary Archer have been squabbling over the top spot in the Dave Kent Over 40s Champs all year with part-time rider Steve Elford putting in the occasional winning appearance, his last round double points grabbing him second sport from injury struggling James King.

The family of Dave Kent who died in late November have said they want to keep the Over 40s Champs going in his memory.

Ian Nurden, Rob Embery and Martin Maisey were the pacesetters for most of the year in the Over 50s champs with Rob out for a period in mid-summer after a spectacular spill.

Raced

Then Ian also crashed in a Non-Champs which ended his season a month earlier.

Martin pulled ahead, although Colin Brown won every time he raced but it wasn't enough to get him above fourth spot, finishing just behind Nurden.

Consistent Phil Fordham hit a good run of form as the others faltered and took second place leaving Martin to claim the Hambridge Homes Over 50s Championship.

The Over 60s was almost decided from the first round with mult-champ Steve Rampling missing some events and Sid James absent most of the year, allowing Ian Williams to take a firm grip on the title. 

Many of the other quick guys missed meetings, including John Snow, Rob Alderton and Malcolm Meison.

The Grahams, Craig and Lovett battled for third with Lovett pulling ahead in the final round.

The Falcon Shocks Over 40s Twin-shocks was the survival of the fittest bike with Steve Titcombe outlasting Chad Sait, as Anthony Barrett kept his machine going just long enough to take third.

The 2015 championships will open up to Pre-85s bikes.

RG3 Suspension Experts offered to sponsor the Open Two-strokes this year with Phil Turner switching his support to the 125s.

Like most other series the main contenders soon emerged – Leigh and Brent Williams looked favourites, with Robbie Penfold a serious contender, although old injuries slowed him down, and Brent and Leigh were often taken away by work.

This allowed Lee Maguire to come in as favourite, however missing rounds cost him too, letting class newcomer Macey Berdys, after a tentative start, snatch the championships in the final round.

Chris West kept going long enough to pip Phillip Mackey to take third.

Rob Spencer was a good friend of SMX and his memory is kept going with the 250-400 championships. 

Paul Williams, although nursing a wrist injury, took the win from Joe Banks who concentrated on the Pre-05s. 

Phil Forgham had a good late season run to nip up to third, while Richard Mirams is getting his speed back and took fourth.

The Maico 250 2str saw Joe Maguire win his first champs, much to proud dad Darren's delight. Gary Holman took second and George Hebden third, 

winning individual rounds but Joe was top dog.

Daniel Jackman was the 125 Turner Windows star. Danny Turner won now and again but wasn't consistent enough to beat Dan de Marco or Joe Reeves, who was only three points behind second placed De Marco after the last round.

Sorbothane Full Strike Insoles has been a good supporter of the four-stroke championship and the closest-fought of all the titles with Gary Archer, James King, Chris Nurden and Brad White neck and neck throughout.

Add in Macey Berdys putting in a late season run and Steve Miller hitting good form when he wasn't hitting the ground and it was a well-contested class.

It was, however, the consistency of Gary Archer which clinched the title from Macey who was only just ahead of Nurden and Brad White.

James King's late season problems put paid to a top three finish and Miller came in fifth.

Boretech put in continued backing of the 250 four-strokes, with Daniel Jackman out in front, even ahead of the fast Daniel Lawrence. Robert Giles edged out Paul Warren for third, who in turn was only four points ahead of Clive Howard.

In the Pre-98 four-strokes Dave Bowden took the final round and the title from Paul Johnson and Steve Miller Snr, whose daughter, Danielle, was tied on 36 points with her dad.

Ken Leon was a long-time competitor at SMX starting with the first Over 40s.

He also supported the Ladies champs for the last 15 years and his wife is carrying on the sponsorship.

Danielle Miller rides a variety of machines – mostly those her brother hasn't broken – and took a convincing championship win. 

In second spot was Natalie Burrows, pipping Hannah Wimbourne by four points. Charlene Williams suffered crashes and illness and finished fourth.

Tied

The Elderfield Motorcycles Pre-85s was won by Steve Titcombe with Steve Miller in second, tied with Paul Schmidt, while Ian Williams and Dominic Durkhin tied for fourth. 

Next year the Pre-85s, which has been sponsored by Elderfield Motorcycles, amalgamates with the Pre-95s as the 

Over 40s Twin-shocks are opened to 

Pre-85s.

The Pre-95s belonged to Lee Maguire, although brother Darren is still ahead in bragging stakes with an Orpa British Championship, with Lee dominating Phil Mackey and John Lawrence throughout the season.

The Pre-05s is sponsored by Joe Banks' company MJB Autos and Joe dominated this class, followed by Joe Haxton and Chris West.

Chichester Honda continue to support and encourage the Pre-10s, although next year will be last for restriction to Pre-10s, as it will be opened up to Pee-15s.

Danny Turner, after looking likely to win specialist classes in the past, finally did the trick this year in great style taking the Pre-10s.

James King, who hassled him all year, was extremely pleased to clinch second. and Paul Steska whipped Chris West in the last round to secure third.