TMX Says: Amateur Nats very dramatic
By Sean Lawless on 23rd Mar 16
While the majority of the UK motocross media were hightailing it to Lyng for the opening round of the Maxxis British Championship supported by Pro Clean, I was cruising over Snake Pass with my sights set on a Leo Sayer (thats an all-dayer) around the excellent Sheffield hostelries.
Following a relaxed afternoon socialising with friends, complimented perfectly by an appetising Indian meal in the evening, I slept the sleep of the innocent and awoke refreshed ready for another glorious day.
Alternatively...
I went out and got seriously smashed, floated a vindaloo on top and passed out on my mate's floor, only reluctantly regaining consciousness when the sun scorched its way through my swollen eyelids.
One of the above versions is true but I'll leave you to decide which.
Personally, whether I was feeling fresh as a daisy or like death warmed up I wasn't too bothered as I knew that after a leisurely breakfast all I had ahead of me was a 30-minute drive to FatCat Motoparc for the opening round of the Acerbis Amateur Nationals.
My colleagues at TMX and DBR on the other hand were attempting the one-day, 560-mile round-trip to Norfolk.
Talk about a no-brainer.
Don't get me wrong, I've been going to Lyng for 20 years and love the place.
I also can't wait to see Searle, Simpson, Anstie and the gang go at it.
The Maxxis is easily Europe's premier domestic series and this year ACU Events appears to be dragging it bang up to date.
But you don't need big names to guarantee great racing and after covering the Acerbis Amateur Nationals for TMX all last year I knew that while one event was obviously more prestigious than the other, the on-track action would be just as good whether I was at FatCat or Cadders Hill.
And that's not to say there weren't some seriously quick riders at FatCat.
Okay, some of them – I'm thinking along the lines of Vets Brian Wheeler, Paul Coward and one-time TMX tester Jonno White (all former British championship riders) – used to be even faster but they still weren't hanging around on Sunday.
Chuck in classes for 125cc and 250cc
two-strokes, a huge contingent of Junior Open riders and the country's only full-blown Ladies championship along with super-competitive MX1 and MX2 fields and you've got a potent motocross mix.
When it comes to grassroots national racing this really is as good as it gets.
Promoter CT Events does a great job with a minimum of bull and plenty of common sense and seven fully-subscribed classes is a testament to this.
Want further evidence of the series' success?
Last year the title sponsor was Scott but, to allow for an increased sponsorship spend, it's now a fully-fledged Acerbis-backed championship.
With another eight rounds to go – and events at some of the country's premier tracks – if you like full start lines, a great atmosphere and fast, close racing you could do a lot, lot worse than checking one out.
Round two is at the first-class Culham Parc on the banks of the River Thames on April 9/10.
Stick it in your diaries...
