MAXXIS BRITISH MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Maxxis British Motocross series heads to Lyng for third stop

The 2005 Maxxis British Championships make a short jaunt east for the third round at the Cadders Hill circuit in Lyng close to Norwich on April 10th. The premier off-road motorcycle racing series in Europe is now over a quarter of the way through the calendar and the third test for the riders of the MX1 and MX2 series comes just four weeks after the contest kicked off at Canada Heights in Kent.
The second event at Polesworth, near Tamworth, took place under less than agreeable weather conditions but like the season-opener in Swanley the action was electric with podium positions remaining undecided right up until the final laps.
Reigning MX1 Champion Josh Coppins made an impressive return after missing round one with a dislocated shoulder by winning two races at Polesworth. The New Zealander, who also triumphed at the 2004 British Grand Prix, lies sixth in the standings after his perfect 60 point haul. Paul Cooper still heads the Championship table although was only able to pick up one top three spot in Tamworth.
Carl Nunn has won one race from four but retains a 100% podium tally in the MX2 competition and therefore leads the early title chase on his works KTM. The class is proving to be a deliciously open affair with four different victors in four motos and six riders have taken podium honours.
The 2005 British Championships attract a wide cosmopolitan mix of nationalities befitting its lofty status with at least ten riders in each class also racing in the FIM World Championships, the first round of which occurs this weekend at Zolder in Belgium. Representatives from America, Holland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Japan line-up against the cream of British talent with works support from manufacturers such as Suzuki, Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki and TM.
The Cadders Hill circuit is currently undergoing final preparations in readiness for its big event on April 10th. The Norwich Viking Motorcycle club have been organising race meetings at the track for almost 70 years. Originally the venue was used for ‘hill-climbs’ when club members held competitive outings against the Army and Home Guard during the war. Cadders Hill was used for the televised Trophy scrambles in the late '60s, hosting a 125cc Grand Prix in the '90s, and has been running British Championship events for over 20 years in the sandy terrain.
The layout was modified in 2004 with the introduction of a ‘chicane’ section just before the finish to slow the riders down as they approach the chequered flag from the awesome 60 foot drop off the edge of ‘the hill’. The mix of sand and deep soil is a feature that makes the Lyng venue slightly special compared to the rest of the calendar.
Norwich Viking MCC club chairman, Colin Armes stated: “This event is always the highlight of the motocross calendar for the club, and judging by the opening two rounds of this year’s championship we are in for a superb days racing on April 10th. It is always a pleasure to host some of the world’s top riders to Lyng, along with the thousands of fans who come from both near and far.”
Raceday at Cadders Hill starts with practice and qualifying sessions during the morning with the first race of six (two motos for MX1 and MX2 each and two support heats) beginning at 12.30pm.

Cadders Hill can be found one mile from the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road, or three miles from the A47 Norwich to King's Lynn road and is signposted from these major roads on the day of the event. Admission is a reasonable £15 for adults, £8 for OAP's and ACCOMPANIED children under 14 years of age enter FREE.

Canada Heights programme to air this week

The highlights programme from the opening round of the Maxxis British motocross Championships are set to air this week starting from Thursday.
The broadcast can be bought at the following times and channels although check a TV guide for last minute changes and disappointments.

Thursday 7th April - 5.00pm Sky Sports Xtra
Friday 8th April - 7.00pm Sky Sports 2
Saturday 9th April - 2.30am Sky Sports 3
Saturday 9th April - 5.00am Sky Sports Xtra
Sunday 10th April - 5.00pm Sky Sports 2

Carl Nunn Lyng programme interview teaser

New factory rider Carl Nunn is the subject of the latest exclusive interview in the Maxxis British Championship official programmes. His words will appear in the pages for the third round of the series due to take place on Sunday April 10th at Cadders Hill, Lyng. Here is an excerpt from the article.

Q: Considering the British races we have already run and your position in the new team many people are already touting ’05 as a big season for you…

CN: A lot of people have said it already and my only answer is that it’s very early! I feel comfortable with the team around me and they know what it takes to win. Look at their World Championship record in the last few years. They know the bike has to be as fast as they could possibly get it. The 125 is an amazing machine and I can see now how people like Langston, Dobbie and Ramon won the World Championship. Townley has carried it on with the four-stroke. Most people are on the 250s and I love riding them.

27/02/05Coppins resumes ‘normal service’ at Polesworth

Defending Champion Josh Coppins returned to torment his rivals in the MX1 Maxxis British Motocross Championship by winning both races at Polesworth for the second round of the series today. more>>

23/03/05 EA Scaffolding add their ‘support’ to Championship

The ACU have struck a deal with EA Scaffolding to provide five camera towers in order to capture quality television pictures of the 2005 Maxxis British Championship. The firm already retains a prominent place in paddock thanks to their sponsorship of the EA/Dirt Bike Store KTM team and has now increased their profile in the series with assistance towards the television coverage. more>>

Matchams Park captures final round slot

Matchams Park, host of this year’s British Grand Prix (brtitgp.com), will further prove its standing as one of the most important off-road racing circuits in the UK when it hosts the final round of the 2005 Maxxis British Motocross Championship.

The facility has signed up for the eighth and last race of the season taking place on October 9th.

“It is a fantastic way for us to finish what will be a big season,” remarked Matchams Motocross World’s Kevin Hoare. “It is something of a coup to secure the last round of the Maxxis British Championship. The track was upgraded over a year ago and we had a great reception to the transformations. I like to think the effort we put into the circuit helped raise the level and create places like the Isle of Wight. We hope to apply what we will learn from hosting the British Grand Prix in June, and our involvement in the national series is another step to firmly establishing Matchams.”

Matchams Park originally replaces the Isle of Wight and also Torrington in grabbing the domestic season’s curtain closer.

17/05/03 Maxxis British Motocross Championships set to land at Polesworth

With engines barely cool preparations have already begun for round two of the 2005 ACU Maxxis British Motocross Championship set to take place a fortnight after the season opener at Canada Heights on Easter Sunday at Polesworth.

The circuit near Tamworth in the midlands has stepped into the space vacated by the Pontrilas venue after poor weather conditions left the Herefordshire track partially flooded. The Pontrilas Motorcycle club shifted their operations east and Polesworth now provides the setting for the second test of eight in the ’05 contest. more>>

17/03/05 Gordon Crockard programme interview teaser

The official raceday programme for the second round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championships at Polesworth will feature an exclusive interview with former number one Gordon Crockard who is attempting a personal fight-back to form after missing most of 2004 through a knee ligament injury. more>>

15/03/05 Enjoyable day at round one for Motovision Suzuki

Motovision Suzuki had good cause to feel contented while packing up Sunday night. Yoshi Atsuta had equalled the best British Championship result achieved by the small crew with his second position. Neville Bradshaw completed a solid first outing in the MX1 category while Ben Taylor scored points riding the RM-250 despite suffering back pain. The only negative factor consisted of MX2 rider Jason Dougan’s twisted ankle sustained in the second moto which has left the youngster in need of a medical opinion regarding the state of his limb and whether a substantial bout of recuperation time is needed.

“I am really pleased with Yoshi and his result, more so because I believed he showed that there is more to come and that gives me a real buzz,” commented Team manager Mark Chamberlain. “It is a great start to the season for the team. Neville has been training and riding a lot recently and I think that showed today. He needs more race fitness on the 450 but I was happy overall with the start he has made. Jason has hurt his other ankle now and is suffering similar problems to the injury he had last year. He will see a specialist early next week and we will know more.”

“I qualified sixth which was good,” recounts Bradshaw. “I then started well in the first heat and was second in the first corner. I lost a couple of places but was holding a good position until the last part of the race when I began to feel tired. 5th was OK for my first race on the big bike. In the second moto I got caught up with James Noble for large parts and took another 5th. It was a good day but there is definitely room for improvement. I am happy that the team has two riders in the top five.”

15/03/05 RWJ puzzled by Brown mystery problem
Mike Brown fulfilled many pre-race predictions last Sunday when he swept to victory in his first British Championship race victory for five years. The 32 year old American, riding for the RWJ Honda team, overtook early leader Carl Nunn and convincingly triumphed in the first moto, also beating reigning Champion Stephen Sword. It was not to be a double delight for the former AMA Champion however as he faded off the pace while fighting among the leaders including team-mate Erik Eggens and Kawasaki’s Tom Church during the second race and eventually entered into the pits with a mechanical problem. The cause of the glitch was not clear and the team were still perplexed while packing the bikes away Sunday evening.

“I honestly can’t tell you what happened,” commented Team Manager Colin Reed. “Mike said that he felt the bike slowing and pulled in. We had a look around and fired it up no problem. We will have to have a better search.”

Brown and Eggens (who is recovering from a broken little finger on his right hand) will be back in action at Polesworth for round two on Easter Sunday where RWJ will also have a new race truck.

13/03/05 Cooper and Sword clinch Canada Heights motocross opener

Paul Cooper and Stephen Sword have won the opening round of the MX1 and MX2 Maxxis British Motocross Championship that took place at Canada Heights in Kent today.

The first of eight rounds in the premier national off-road series in Europe began under cloudy skies and chilly conditions at the popular circuit located just off the M25 motorway near Swanley. 9000 fans entered the gates for their first taste of 2005 motocross season and were not disappointed as some thrilling racing saw podium places decided within the final moments of the motos.
>>FULL STORY & PICTURES

07/03/05 Venue change for round two

The 2005 ACU Maxxis British Motocross Championship has undergone a late venue switch for the second round of the series due to take place on March 27th at Pontrilas.

Due to poor weather the race will now occur at former Championship circuit Polesworth, near Tamworth, while still being run by the same club

2005 Maxxis British Motocross Championship:

13th March Canada Heights, Swanley
27th March Polesworth, Tamworth
10th April Lyng, Norwich
1st May Culham, Oxford
18th June Desertmartin, Northern Ireland
24th July Landrake, Devon
11th September Whitby
9th October Torrington, Devon (tbc)