The SX Factor comes to Sheffield!
By TMX Archives on 28th Oct 11
Just over 4000 spectators poured in to the Motorpoint arena, Sheffield this weekend to witness the best UK riders tackle round one of the ACU Futurewest British Supercross. The best line-up in British Supercross history meant the crowd were in for some great racing and a chance to see the current British MX1 champion, Brad Anderson, get stuck into some familiar names in supercross.
As the first gate dropped for the opening SX lites qualifier it was clear the evening was going to be fast and fierce as current champion Jack Brunell took the holeshot only to spin out in turn two handing the lead to debutant Buildbase Honda rider Nicolas Aubin. Tom Church charged through but was unable to catch Aubin who was on fire as he took the chequered flag ahead of Tom and young Matt Bayliss in third.
Neville Bradshaw made short work of the competition in the second SX lites qualifier after Carl Brogden hit the ground in the first turn leaving a hand full of guys trying to navigate their way around the fallen rider. Luke Norris and Ashley Greedy gave chase but Bradshaw gained a large enough lead to entertain the crowd with a couple of FMX style heel clickers as he eased his way into the Final.
The third of the SX lites qualifiers saw the Brazilian SX champion Adam Chatfield take the holeshot and lead from start to finish. The battle behind was heating up as Lewis Gregory had to fend off the advances of young star James Dunn who pushed the Suzuki rider all the way to the finish. Stephen Sword didn't get the best of starts and was unable to advance forward leaving the newly signed TAS Suzuki rider in uncharted territory and heading to the LCQ.
The first of the three Supercross heats old rivals Jack Brunell and Ashley Greedy traded a bit of bar banging through turn two which left Brunell falling to fourth and allowing Jamie Law and Nez Parker to chase Greedy in the opening laps. Brunell was soon back on the gas charging hard and bringing Chatfield along with him. By mid race Brunell and Chatfield had moved up to second and third place relegating Law and Parker to the LCQ.
The night started tough for Stephen Sword, as he ran into the rear wheel of Stuart Edmonds in the first turn of heat two. Martin Barr and Neville Bradshaw were left to battle out the lead until Nev took a little excursion over one of the high banked corners leaving Barr out in front. Lewis Gregory now took up the charge with Edmonds and Bradshaw in tow. Bradshaw again pushed hard to pass Edmonds however as both riders came into the final corner, Edmonds gave Bradshaw a little nudge from behind resulting in the South African going down once again and heading to the LCQ.
The third of the heat races saw young James Dunn, Tom Church and Brad Anderson on the line. Dunn grabbed the holeshot from Church and Anderson who both attempted to pass the young rider in the early stages but was unable to make the moves stick. Nicolas Aubin also had some bad luck as his front wheel washed out will trying to catch Church for third position. Brad Anderson made a late charge in the final lap, however the youngster seemed undaunted and held out for the win.
The Supercross lites and Supercross classes held two LCQ finals. Jack Brunell, Edward Allingham and Lewis King advanced to the main in the Lites and Nev Bradshaw Nicolas Aubin and Nez Parker advanced to the SX open.
As the gate dropped for the SX Lites final, the crowd watch with anticipation. Neville Bradshaw entered the back straight in the lead followed closely by Chatfield and Aubin. Bradshaw rode smooth and pulled both Chatfield and Aubin into a slight lead. Tom church had a terrible start and sat in 10th place at the end of the second lap however with some super lines it wasn't long before Tom was pushing Greedy for fourth place. At the front of the group, Aubin was working on Chatfield for second place and made the pass after the triple. Chatfield tried to block Aubin's advances but the plucky Frenchman forced his way by and gave chase to Bradshaw. Aubin pushed hard to come within a bike length of Nev but the South African held on for a well deserved win.
The saying goes, save the best for last, well that's exactly how the evening ended. The SX final gate dropped and it was Martin Barr out in front followed by Anderson, Edmonds, Brunell, Dunn and the ever popular Tom Church. Nez Parker and Nicolas Aubin found themselves on the ground as the pack disappeared. Anderson gave chase to Barr and passed the Irishman on the third lap however Barr came straight back with a nice block pass on the very next corner. Brad being Brad came straight back and tried to force his way back around Barr on the very next corner but couldn't make the pass stick. Unfortunately Barr went down in the whoop section and handed Anderson the lead. By mid race Tom Church had worked his way up the ranks and managed to pass Stu Edmonds for fourth place. Chatfield rode smooth and watched the fierce competitors of Barr and Anderson battle for supremacy throughout each corner until Barr went down again which moved Chatfield to second. Anderson seemed to have this race wrapped up but a mistake haded Chatfield the lead. Tom Church was now passed Barr but unable to catch Anderson and Chatfield. Ando once again made a late charge but just couldn't catch Chatfield. "That was a good race” said Chatfield, "I had a bad start in like fifth, but found some good lines managed to pass a couple of people and then Brad crashed and handed it to me, it was good. I know Brad was coming back after me but I had a big enough gap”
ACU BRITISH SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rd 1 – Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield (Future West)
SX Final: 1 Adam Chatfield (Honda), 2 Brad Anderson (PAR Honda), 3 Tom Church (HMP Red Bull KTM), 4 Nicolas Aubin (Buildbase Honda), 5 Stuart Edmonds (Maxxis Apico Suzuki), 6 Neville Bradshaw (Evotech Stevens Honda), 7 James Dunn (Lanes Kawasaki), 8 Martin Barr (Boost Energy KTM), 9 Nathan Parker (Boost Energy KTM), 10 Ashley Greedy (Maxxis Henderson Kawasaki).
SX Lites: 1 Neville Bradshaw (Evotech Stevens Honda), 2 Nicolas Aubin (Buildbase Honda), 3 Adam Chatfield (Buff Honda), 4 Tom Church (HMP Red Bull KTM), 5 Ashley Greedy (Maxxis Henderson Kawasaki), 6 Jack Brunell (Rabbit Kawasaki), 7 James Dunn (Lanes Kawasaki), 8 Lewis Gregory (Maxxis Apico Suzuki), 9 Lewis King (Kawasaki), 10 Matt Bayliss (Helyar Honda).
Clubman Open: 1 George Purchase (Pulse KTM), 2 Stuart Morrison (OffroadSE KTM), 3 Dan Thornhill (Team Suzuki UK), 4 Robert Yates (Brettex Honda), 5 Ty Kellet (Twisted7 Kawasaki), 6 Greg Fisher (Horseman Kawasaki), 7 Peter Eccles (Fox Europe KTM), 8 Jordan Owen DL Commercials KTM), 9 Ryan Crowder (Rocket Centre Honda), 10 Zac Stealey (VC Kawasaki).
Clubman Lites: 1 Daniel Brough (KTM), 2 Chris Bayliss (Honda), 3 James Harrison (Kawasaki), 4 Stuart Morrison (KTM), 5 Dan Thornhill (Suzuki), 6 Lewis King (Kawasaki), 7 Ryan Williams (KTM), 8 Ryan Mason (Suzuki), 9 Karl Johnson (Yamaha), 10 Rhys Yates (Honda).
Youth Lites: 1 James Dunn (Lanes Kawasaki), 2 Dan Thornhill (Team Suzuki GB), 3 Chris Bayliss (Helyar Honda), 4 Damon Strydom (Revo KTM), 5 Chris Povey (Povey Cars KTM), 6 James Harrison (James Harrison (Twisted7 Kawasaki), 7 Sam Winterburn (Appleyard Suzuki), 8 Jack Kelly (Malin KTM), 9 James Yates (Brettex Honda), 10 Ben Putnam (SPH Yamaha).
Small-wheel 85cc: 1 Will Keogh (KTM), 2 Taylor Hammel (KTM UK), 3 Dylan Woodcock (ExtremeWorks TM), 4 Aaron Booker (KTM), 5 Billy King (King Recycling KTM), 6 Luke Reading (MX 500 KTM), 7 Nathan Claughan (VMX Parts KTM), 8 Troy Willierton (MRS KTM), 9 Lewis Taylor (MT Motors KTM), 10 Darren Robson (Big D KTM).
Supermini: 1 Tom Neal (Motorshack KTM), 2 Joe Jefferies (MD Racing Suzuki), 3 Scooter Webster (Vampires Rock KTM), 4 Todd Kellet (Twisted7 Kawasaki), 5 Gradie Featherstone (Middletons KTM), 6 Nathon Dixon (Highstones KTM), 7 Robbie Dowson (KTM), 8 Kyle Casement (R&T Mcs KTM), 9 Mitchel Lewis (Sonic Solutions Honda), 10 Dylan Hodgkins (KTM).
Junior 65cc: 1 Harry Kimber (Twisted7 Kawasaki), 2 Alexander Brown (Moto1 KTM), 3 Jed Etchells R&T Mcs KTM), 4 Reegan Brooks (OffRoadSE KTM), 5 Scott Rissell (Algas KTM), 6 Tom Grimshaw (360 Racing KTM), 7 Ben Burridge (Signfit KTM), 8 Gary Ashley (Golden Tyre KTM), 9 Rossi Beard (Tollet KTM), 10 Sammy Price (KTM).
Auto: 1 Luke Williamson (Fab Metrakit), 2 Liam Brosnan (Solent Excavations KTM), 3 Will Egglestone (Rhono Goo KTM), 4 Buster Hart (KTM), 5 Louie Kessell (Kes Commercials KTM), 6 Bobby Bruce (KTM), 7 Luca Pegg (Cobra), 8 Caiden Wilkinson (Go Mx Cobra), 9 Kain Collingwood AutoTek), 10 Lewis Wood Royston Steel KTM).
Quad: 1 Jamie Clark (County Quads KTM), 2 Oliver Sansom (Cromwell Trucks Yamaha), 3 Deam Colhoun (Justwin Can-Am), 4 Ben Harman (Adrenalin Can-Am), 5 Tom Claireaux (Status Quads Honda), 6 Scott Sinclair (KTM).
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE T+MX OCTOBER 28
