2007 Maxxis British Motocross

Bristol's John May in action

2007 Maxxis British Motocross Championship

By Jake Miller - photos Ray Chuss

Clear blue skies, bright sunshine and a large crowd provided the perfect back drop for an action packed opening to the 2007 Maxxis British Motocross championship held at the awesome Canada Height circuit near Swanley, Kent yesterday. After two highly entertaining motos in each class it was Ken De Dycker – CAS Honda and Gareth Swanpoel - Molson Kawasaki who took the overall honours in the MX1 and MX2 categories respectively.

Appalling weather in more recent weeks had threatened to wreck the meeting, but thanks to the huge efforts of Sidcup motorcycle club, their revised and reverse direction track could not have been in better condition ready for yesterday’s packed programme.

First Corner

The MX2 class got the racing underway, and with Tommy Searle – KTM UK having posted a time 1.2 seconds faster than anyone else in morning qualifying, he looked the clear favourite when the gate dropped on the first moto. However a first corner incident left Searle on the deck and with work to do.

Up front it was Shaun Simpson – Wulfsport Kawasaki who soon opened up a clear advantage, a position he held to the flag to give him his first ever victory at this level. Eventual overall winner Swanpoel followed Simpson home, with Martin Barr – Bike It Yamaha completing the first podium of the day.

Searle could only pull through to ninth, as reigning champion Carl Nunn – Bike It Yamaha struggled down in fourteenth as a result of the injury he collected at Hawkstone Park just seven days earlier.

Race Two

Race two saw Searle confirm his qualifying speed as he put together a text book start to flag win, well ahead of a rejuvenated Mike Brown – CAS Honda. Swanpoel took a safe third to head the series standings, with Sean Hamblin – Swift Suzuki taking a solid fourth spot on his debut, as Simpson came back to fifth after getting held up in the early part of the race.

Gordon Crockard – PAR Honda and Billy Mackenzie –De Groot Kawasaki produced the race of the day during the first MX1 moto. The young Scott took the early lead, but was reeled in by the Irish ex GP winner in the latter stages, with the Honda rider just taking the win as they crossed the line. Current MX1 champion De Dycker took the last rostrum place, but had no answer to the leading duo on this occasion.

However the second MX1 moto was a different affair as De Dycker got the gate and never looked like he would be headed as he romped to a clear victory. Brad Anderson – Pioneer Yamaha, who had been fastest in qualifying, finished 7.5 seconds behind De Dycker and 10.8 seconds in front of Mackenzie, as the pair took second and third positions respectively. Crockard fought his way through the pack to take fourth after getting boxed in at the first turn.

The next round of the series will take place at Landrake, Devon on Sunday 25th March 2007. Visit the official championship website - www.mxgb.co.uk for details.

Joe Dark finished 15th overall

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