The flight of the Bird!
By TMX Archives on 16th Apr 08
AFTER missing the whole of the 2007 racing season due to a serious shoulder injury, Robert Clark produced a perfect come-back at Nympsfield on Sunday by taking maximum points in an AMCA MX2 Championship Qualifier.
While Clark's performance hit the headlines, Bradley Bird and Lee Dunham were also in great form by recording unbeaten scores in their respective Inter Junior and Expert MX2 classes.
With the Nympsfield circuit again in absolute prime condition, it was time for the organising Dursley MXC to fire its season into action. In the quest to gain entry into the 2008 AMCA MX2 Championship series, Clark took a massive step to achieve his goal with three immaculate victories. Finishing in the runner-up position on each occasion were Joseph Meachin, Daniel Wase and Joseph Barry. For those three riders though, Sunday was to ultimately produce a meeting of very mixed fortunes. Meachin added just one further point to his total, Wase went on to earn a very impressive second overall whilst Barry suffered a massive moto one crash. Showing great character, 17-year-old Barry eventually recovered to earn fifth place overall behind Clark, Wase, Tom Guilding and Ashley Hudson.
In the supporting races at Nympsfield, Lee Dunham took maximum points in Expert MX2, but only after a couple of thrilling tussles with fellow championship contender Phil Mercer.
In moto one, Mercer, despite intense pressure from Dunham, led all the way until he picked up a rear-wheel puncture in the closing stages and surrendered his advantage. In moto two the roles were reversed as Dunham led from start to finish with Mercer in hot pursuit. With Mercer a non-starter in moto three, Dunham completed a glorious maximum to earn the overall verdict ahead of Carl Benjamin in second, Mercer in third, Gavin Hookham fourth and Aran Agius fifth.
Over in Expert MX1, Neil Turner, aboard a 250 Honda two-stroke, and making his AMCA debut after moving across from the ACU ranks, took the overall win. Double entry rider Aran Agius (twice) and late entry J Williams took the moto wins, Turner, having his first race since September, displayed impressive speed and determination to record a hat-trick of second places.
Daniel Pearce and Nigel Lewis filled the top two places in all three Senior MX1 motos. With Lewis out-scoring his rival in the moto win count by two to one, he also took home the overall trophy with Shaun Chapman the next best in class.
After Luke Smith had won the opening Senior MX2 clash, Andy Woolf took control to earn the overall verdict with Smith having to settle for second ahead of Joe Russell.
Patrick Belcher won both opening Junior MX1 races to build the foundations for his eventual overall success.
In the last clash of the day, Daniel Potter took the top slot after earlier having recorded eighth and seventh placings.
In the two groups for the Junior MX2, Blaine Blackwell and Dax Blackburn were the top lads with a 42-point score from their three rides. Showing great early season form, Bradley Bird roared to maximum points in the Inter Junior class. In all three clashes, Kieran Banks was a clear runner-up. Making her debut in the Inter Junior and having her first ever motocross race, Samantha Davis tackled the circuit with great determination and enthusiasm. Typical of the great AMCA spirit, she was cheered all the way to the finish line by both fellow competitors and watching spectators.
AMCA MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
Nympsfield, Glos (Dursley MXC)
MX2 Qualifier (sponsored by Thornbury MX): 1 Robert Clark (Suzuki), 2 Daniel Wase (Kawasaki), 3 Tom Guilding (Kawasaki), 4 Ashley Hudson (Yamaha), 5 Joseph Barry (Yamaha), 6 Ashley Newton (Honda).
MX1 Expert sponsored by Farm Meats: 1 Neil Turner (250 Honda), 2 J Williams (450 Honda), 3 Aran Agius (450 Thornbury Kawasaki), 4 Darren Marklove (250 Yamaha), 5 Gareth McCorkell (450 Honda).
MX2 Expert (sponsored by Tetbury Motor Centre): 1 Lee Dunham (MotoXtreme Kawasaki), 2 Carl Benjamin (Thornbury MX Kawasaki), 3 Phil Mercer (Delkevic Kawasaki), 4 Gavin Hookham (Kawasaki), 5 Aran Agius (Thornbury MX Kawasaki).
MX1 Senior (sponsored by W & RJ Pearce): 1 Nigel Lewis (450 Honda), 2 Daniel Pearce (450 Yamaha), 3 Shaun Chapman (250 Kawasaki), 4 Richard Collins, 5 Michael Bacon (250 Yamaha).
MX2 Senior (sponsored by Hayes and Howe): 1 Andy Woolf (Honda), 2 Luke Smith (Honda), 3 Joe Russell (Kawasaki), 4 James Pugh (Kawasaki), 5 Adam Harris (Kawasaki).
MX1 Junior (sponsored by Dobson Catering): 1 Patrick Belcher (450 KTM), 2 Dan Burnett (270 Suzuki), 3 Richard Betteridge (250 Yamaha), 4 Daniel Potter (450 Honda), 5 Simon Capp (350 Husaberg).
MX2 Junior Over 18 sponsored by PC Woodman Tree Services: 1 Dax Blackburn (KTM), 2 Nathan Abbott (Yamaha), 3 Dean Fitzgerald (Kawasaki), 4 Matthew Morgan (Yamaha), 5 Tony Faulkner (KTM).
MX2 Juniors Under 18 (sponsored by Berkeley Heath Motors): 1 Blaine Blackwell (Suzuki), 2 Curtis Mears (Suzuki), 3 Shaun Adams (Honda), 4 Thomas Woodward (Yamaha), 5 Cameron Lochhead (Kawasaki).
Inter Junior (sponsored by Woodside Joinery): 1 Bradley Bird (KTM), 2 Kieran Banks (Honda), 3 Michael Chapman (Yamaha), 4 Joshua Smith (KTM), 5 Jack Saril (KTM).
For full pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, April 18, 2008