Lower Drayton near Penkridge in Staffordshire is the only place to be this Sunday, July 23rd as the Cannock MXC host the home round of the IMBA European MX1 and MX2 Championship. Going into this event and following some superb performances by the GB lads our their travels across the Channel, AMCA riders are flying high and topping the IMBA Championship tables in both classes, even more reason to give them your support!
In MX1 its FUS FRO CPS Husqvarna rider Luke Burton leading the way and 22 points clear of Belgian Frederic Weigert with Burton’s teammate James Dodd in 3rd. So far MX1 have travelled to Denmark and France with Burton on the podium on both occasions. Joining him on the box in France with a great 2nd overall was Dodd so watch out for these fast FUS boy’s at Lower Drayton. Also ripping up the European tracks so far, Ed Briscoe sits in a great 7th in the table whilst Andrew Smart in his debut IMBA season is also going well in 11th. Joining the MX1 regulars as wild-card entrants on Sunday will be top AMCA Championship contenders Gary Gibson, Shane Carless and Ryan Crowder.
Over in MX2 following his overall win in France, Josh Waterman tops the table 7 points clear of Dutchman Joshua van der Linden. Just a further 13 points in arrears is another hard charging Englishman in Ray Rowson who has been on the podium in all three rounds so far at Holland, Belgium and France. Despite not maybe enjoying the rewards so far that his efforts have deserved, Jack Cox is still holding a great 5th in the series. Also in the team for Lower Drayton is Lewis King and he is sure to be gunning for another podium this weekend buoyed by his super 3rd overall in France after missing the opening two rounds due to an elbow injury. Completing the GB MX2 line-up are Bradley Tranter, Jack Gardner and Cory McShane.
Making it an exciting day of action and providing support to the IMBA racing will be rounds of the AMCA BWMA Ladies Championship and the Youth 85cc/150cc. With Ladies series leader Chelsea Gowland out with a broken ankle, Beth Farmer, Leonni Tighe, Catherine King, Georgia Ithell and co will be looking to take full advantage. There’s a nice £1,000 to the overall winner of the Ladies series so it’s all to play for in this one!
So get those flags waving and air-horns blasting in support of the glory chasing AMCA Team Great Britain riders this weekend. Lower Drayton will be signposted from junction 13 of the M6 and Penkridge town centre with the postcode being ST19 5RE. Admission charges for the event are just £7 Adults, £2 OAP’s and Children Under 16 with Children Under 5 getting in for FREE. Words and pic by Mike Wood.