Hawkstone Park – International Moto-X – Sunday
4th March 2007
Coppins and Ramon look to wear the 2007 Hawkstone
Park Crown
 With
just fours weeks remaining until the ninth Hawkstone Park
International Moto-x, preparations have been rolling ahead
for the star-studded spectacle on Sunday March 4th. While
the historic circuit undergoes refinements for the biggest
annual race meeting to visit the Shropshire venue, some of
the top ranked protagonists that grace the virtual ‘Grand
Prix’ entry list are also putting the finishing touches
to their ‘packages’ for the 2007 MX1 World Championship,
set to commence only four weeks after the Hawkstone clash.
Two of the main names touted as favourites for the throne
departed by recently retired ten times World Champion Stefan
Everts involve his replacement on the works Yamaha Josh Coppins,
and current Belgian number one (and now arguably the country’s
leading hope) Steve Ramon, who will guide a factory Suzuki
for a second season.
‘Of course I look forward to Hawkstone and have been
racing there for a few years now,’ said Ramon. ‘The
first time I raced on the sand I really enjoyed it and have
been back since; hopefully the weather will stay good. The
entry list is strong with many GP riders; because of this
the Hawkstone International is always good to measure your
speed and to start to build yourself up to the first Grand
Prix.’
‘The track is pretty cool and it is always good to
be racing at a place that has so much history,’ offers
former multi British Champion Coppins. ‘It can be hard-going
in that heavy sand, particularly if it is wet. Hawkstone is
always a tough international to start the year.’
Coppins, who turns thirty years old a little more than a
week after Hawkstone, has been working and testing in Italy
with his Rinaldi team for a debut term on the blue machinery.
‘Things have been going really well and I can’t
complain,’ he commented. ‘I am as fit and prepared
as I was last year up until the accident that dislocated my
shoulder a week before the first GP. I am happy with the Yamaha
and the team is awesome so the signs are good.’
Ramon, who is tweny seven years old, grabbed a moto podium
in Shropshire twelve months ago despite struggling with a
strained back muscle. ‘Everything has been going well
for me. I went to Portugal to find some sun in December and
do some physical training. I began working with the bike again
in January and next week we will head to France for more testing.’
Coppins and Ramon will line up against a whole host of other
World class riders in the MX1 class, and with an equally exciting
array of international talent in the MX2 category, the action
to decide who will be the new King of Hawkstone is sure to
be fast and furious at the very least.
A large trade village will provide you with bargains galore
and will add the final ingredient in what promises to be one
of the biggest days in British moto-x during 2007. Miss it
and miss out. Visitors can save up to £5.00 per ticket
by booking in advance and can take advantage of an incredible
family offer that represents a £25.00 reduction, all
of which will not be available on the gate at these special
prices.
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