Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship 2007
Preview – Rnd 6 Whitby – Sunday 8th July
 Whitby
prepares to welcome the championship contenders
Sunday 8th July will see the Maxxis ACU British Motocross
championship make its sixth stop on its scheduled eight round
tour, as the series visits the North of England for the first
time this season. This will be the third time in as many years
that Europe’s leading motocross championship has called
off at the Whitby circuit. The 2007 series is truly a geographic
British championship in the fullest sense, with it including
rounds as far a field as Cornwall and Cumbria.
The action on track promises to be even harder and hotter
than the previous rounds, with the championship contenders
being fully aware that they are now entering the business
end of the season, where the title will be won or lost. Although
no stranger to success in the youth ranks, Tommy Searle –
KTM UK took an important step towards securing his first adult
crown, as his main rival Gareth Swanepoel – Molson Kawasaki
suffered a nightmare day at the previous round in Ireland.
However far from Searle being handed the title, a new and
much more experienced challenger has emerged in the form of
the American born Mike Brown – CAS Honda. Brown’s
return to Europe has gradually gathered momentum as he has
begun to adapt to switching between MX1 at World level and
riding the MX2 machine for his domestic assault. Searle will
remember only too well how he missed out on the title after
a final round showdown with Carl Nunn – Bike It Yamaha
last year, and will be doing his best to put a healthy points
gap between himself and the chasing pack.
Swanepoel’s team mate Tom Church – Molson Kawasaki,
Shaun Simpson – Wulfsport Kawasaki and Nunn will all
be looking to hunt Searle down, with them all having recorded
race wins at the earlier meetings. The return of Stephen Sword
– Molson Kawasaki adds an exciting extra ingredient
to what is already a highly competitive class.
Prior to Desertmartin Billy MacKenzie – DeGroot Kawasaki
enjoyed a similar advantage to Searle at the top of the MX1
standings, but with only a mediocre showing in Ireland the
young Scott now has the closer attention of reigning champion
Ken De Dycker – CAS Honda to deal with. De Dycker’s
clean sweep at the previous round confirmed that he has no
way given up on retaining his crown and will be doing everything
within his power to make it two titles for the tall Belgian
rider.
Although unable to claim a race win at his home round Gordon
Crockard – PAR Honda once again proved that he is back
to his best and was by far the fastest rider during the second
moto as he was forced to work overtime to make up from one
of his trademark poor starts. Crockard alongside the likes
of James Noble – Multitek Honda, Brad Anderson –
Pioneeer Yamaha, Mark Eastwood – Wiseco Honda and Jordan
Rose - KTM will ensure that the MX1 title race will be more
than a two rider affair, as without exception they all have
a point to prove in the final run in.
MX2 qualifying kicks off at 9.30am to set the pace for the
day, this will be followed up by the first support race at
12.30pm. All the main championship riders will be available
for autographs at 11.40am ahead of the first MX2 encounter
at 1.05pm.
Series commentators Roger Warren and Paul Malin will be on
hand to keep you up to date as the drama unfolds throughout
the day.
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