Wight hot!
By TMX Archives on 6th Jun 03
national or French GP circuit? Neither! Believe it or not, this is the track for round six of the Maxxis British MX champs on the Isle of Wight on June 29.The Vectis club have taken a huge step forward for the British MX scene by AMA OUTDOOR national or French GP circuit? Neither! Believe it or not, this is the track for round six of the Maxxis British MX champs on the Isle of Wight on June 29.The Vectis club have taken a huge step forward for the British MX scene by giving riders sole responsibility for building the track. The sweeping valley has been transformed into a venue worthy of a GP by two current championship contenders(!), Johnny Douglas-Hamilton and my lovely self.After weeks of back-breaking work we're confident that the circuit has everything a modern MX track should have. Josh Coppins seems to think so. "It's definitely better than most tracks in the UK," reckons the Lizard. "It's wider, there's more passing lines, ya know there's just so many options racing will be exciting!" And his praise doesn't stop there. "It reminds me of the GP track in Bulgaria, you could have a GP here no worries. It's the best track I've ridden in England so far."That's some statement from last year's runner-up in the world 250cc championship - and his CAS Honda team-mate Yoshi Atsuta agrees. "There could be GP here no problem, it's wide and the dirt is good."Stuart Flockhart is chomping at the bit to race the track - especially with the current form he's showing. "It's nice to have some good big jumps in a British championship circuit, it's what I've always wanted. There's all sorts out there - a whoop section, short tabletops out of corners, big ones, step-ups, drop-offs, sweeping corners, tight corners, it's got everything a modern motocross track should have."It's great for the spectators as well because they can see 95 per cent of the track - for such a small club I can't believe their effort, everything here is awesome."The Motovision team riders are also charged up. "It's like being back in France where I used to race schoolboys," reckons Jason Dougan, who's just became the youngest winner of an adult British championship round. "Phwoar! It's beautiful, I'm welling up," adds an emotional Ben 'Weaver' Taylor.In fact, the only complaint came from Billy Mack who couldn't spin his wheels because of his ankle injury. "I'm so *****d off I can't get out there and whip it over the jumps, they look perfect. The track is awesome!"Look at the pictures and you'll see the man has a point...Isle of Wight festivalThe Maxxis British championship round will be just one event on the Isle of Wight as the island plays host to the week-long ACU centenary off-road festival, running from June 29-July 5.As well as MX there will be enduro, trials, grasstrack and speedway events and the organisers have arranged for very, very special ferry deals to take you there.Valid from June 26-July 7, the spectator rates cover return sailings from Portsmouth Gunwharf and Lymington and are 38.60 for most vehicles plus a driver and three passengers with extra bodies going across at 6.30-a-pop. There are also special deals for coaches and passengers starting at 160 return.And if you don't fancy taking your car across for the Maxxis race day, a special 2-a-head coach will be running from Fishbourne to transport foot passengers to the circuit.Spectators should quote reference number RC67 and competitors RC1935 when phoning their bookings in on 0870 582 7444. Coach companies should contact Chris Quinton on 023 928 55242 and, if you fancy making a week of it, try the holiday hotline on 0870 582 0202.