Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship 2007
Review – Rnd 6 Skelder Bank, Whitby –
Sunday 8th July
Swanepoel and Mackenzie shine as heavy rain halts
the show
 After
heavy rain in the days prior to meeting, the sun shone high
above the spectacular and scenic circuit at Skelder Bank near
Whitby as it welcomed competitors for the sixth round of the
2007 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship. Despite the
best efforts of the weather to wreck preparations, the organising
club had done a brilliant job to deliver a first class track
that actually required watering after practice to settle the
dust. However mother-nature was to provide her own watering
system, with a storm and deluge that would bring a great day
of racing to a premature end.
Gareth Swanepoel – Molson Kawasaki took the overall
win in the MX2 class after a dominant race one win, which
he followed up with a second spot in race two behind a rejuvenated
Carl Nunn – Bike It Yamaha. Reigning MX2 champion Nunn
finished as runner up on the day as he returned to the kind
of form that brought him the title last year with a 3-1 showing
on the day. However it is Mike Brown who now heads the MX2
overall standings after he took second and fourth places over
the two motos to nudge in front of Tommy Searle – KTM
who endured a nightmare day.
Quickest in qualifying, Searle looked as if he was to continue
on from his recent GP race win and further extend his thirty
seven-point advantage at the top of the table. In reality
this was not to be the case as the hard charging teenager
crashed twice in the first race before remounting and coming
from dead last to a well deserved ninth position as he crossed
the line. The youngster was soon to taste even more disappointment
as he record a DNF in race two as the heavens begun to open.
Just two points separates the leading trio of Brown, Swanepoel
and Searle in the MX2 title hunt with only two rounds remaining.
In the MX1 class it was championship leader Billy MacKenzie
who increased his lead at top of the general standings with
a relatively easy race one victory after his nearest on track
challenger in the form of Gordon Crockard – PAR crashed
in the early stages. 2006 Champion Ken De Dycker – CAS
Honda followed the young Scott home, but never really threatened
the man who is now most likely to steal his crown. Local hero
James Noble – Multitek Honda delighted his large home
crowd as he occupied the last step of the rostrum first time
out. Crockard proved just how dangerous he could have been
as he charged from the back of the pack after his early spill
to claim fifth spot just behind Brad Anderson – Pioneer
Yamaha as the initial thirty minute plus two bout came to
a close.
The second MX1 race was stopped by the clerk of the course,
prior to reaching half distance, as heavy rain worsened track
conditions. Due to the race having not reached the halfway
point, it was regrettably declared null and void in terms
of awarding championship points. Dave Williams, Clerk of the
Course for the Whitby MCC said " The track conditions
had become extremely hazardous for both riders and marshals,
leaving no option but to stop the race in the interest of
safety. With riders falling off around the track, it was becoming
virtually impossible for a reasonable level of first aid to
be given if required." John Noble, the Club Chairman
did not wish to comment at this stage. The ACU will release
a further statement in due course.
The next round of the series takes place at Brampton, Cumbria
on Sunday 12th August 2007, please visit the all new official
championship website - www.mxgb.co.uk - for further details.
MX1 Moto One: 1: MacKenzie 2: De Dycker 3: Noble 4: Anderson
5: Crockard
MX1 Moto Two: 1: Noble 2: Rose 3: D Smyth 4: J Smyth 5: De
Dycker – Chp points null and void
MX1 Overall: 1: MacKenzie 30 2: De Dycker 27 3: Noble 29
Championship to date: 1: Mackenzie 260 2: De Dycker 274 3:
Noble 253
MX2 Moto One: 1: Swanepoel 2: Brown 3: Nunn 4: Dougan 5:
Simpson
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Nunn 2: Swanepoel 3: Brown 4: Simpson 5:
Barr
MX2 Overall: 1: Swanepoel 57 2: Nunn 55 3: Brown 52
Championship to date: 1: Brown 268 2: Swanepoel 267 3: Searle
266
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