In the next two weeks, the destination of the 2017 AMCA British Motocross Championship titles will be decided following back to back rounds held on very contrasting circuit types! First up this Sunday, September 3rd it’s the old-school, natural hillside track at Frocester in Gloucestershire which provides the challenge.
Despite having competed in the last three rounds of the MX1 class with serious cruciate knee ligament damage, it’s still reigning Champion Luke Burton who looks on course to retain his title. Last time out in this super competitive series powered by Datatag and supported by Dunlop, it was Shane Carless who took the MX1 win from Burton and Ryan Crowder. That result saw Welshman Carless cement his place in the top three of the standings and also close the gap on 2nd placed Gary Gibson. At present Crowder, Paul Neale, Andrew Smart, James Dodd, Ed Briscoe, Luke Meredith and Ashley Thomas are the next best. But with the unlucky Dodd now out injured for the remainder of the season, there is also another whole gaggle of riders still looking to fill his top ten place!
Scoring his fifth consecutive overall MX2 win, Ray Rowson has stretched his Championship lead to 70 points ahead of defending King Josh Waterman. During round seven at Brookthorpe, Bradley Tranter bagged his first podium of the campaign and currently sits 8th in the series. So tight though is the standings that Tranter is just 39 points behind his FUS teammate Jack Cox in 4th with the very fast and capable trio of James Wainwright, Clinton Barrs and Lewis King separating them. Sitting in the MX2 bronze medal position at present is Luke Dean whilst Jansen Day and Luke Mellows round off the top ten.
With another faultless maximum at Brookthorpe, Brad Turner now tops the 2T class by 149 points from Jordan Saunders. During the last two rounds at Boraston and Brookthorpe, Saunders has also been in great form scoring podium placings, a feat copied by Shaun Buchan. At present, Buchan holds 6th in the standings behind Jason Kenderick, Bradley Doyle and James Lane. Denied podium places following last moto misfortunes at both Boraston and Brookthorpe, Kenderick will be desperate to enjoy a change of luck this weekend at Frocester! Next best in this class are Sam Smith, Ashley Beniston, Tony Griffiths and Rory Jones, the latter rider having missed both rounds four and five.
Barring a total disaster or collapse in form, it appears that James Russell, Terry House and Simon Lane are now odds on to take home the final Championship Vets silverware. With just two rounds remaining, Russell is 84 points clear of House with Lane a further 23 in arrears. Then it’s a big gap of some 154 points to 4th placed Gary Jones followed by Richard Chinn, Brian Staples, Darren Bennett, Stephen Marlow, Paul Wieczorek and John Heath. Although the three amigos Russell, House and Lane have rather dominated proceedings, there’s still been plenty of great action from the Vets. So expect more of the same this Sunday at Frocester when battle recommences.
Admission charges for the event are £7 Adults and £2 OAP’s/Children under 12 with the Frocester circuit (postcode GL10 3TP) being signposted from junction 13 of the M5 and off the A38 at Hilltop Garage, Eastington. Words and pic by Mike Wood.