Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship 2008
Donington Park – Let battle commence
 Finally
the waiting is nearly over, with only just over a week to
go before the opening round of the 2008 Maxxis ACU British
Motocross Championship kicks off at the highly prestigious
Donington Park circuit. Whilst the tarmac facility is more
widely recognised as road race venue, the East Midlands’
track is no stranger to hosting top line off road events.
The newly created infield motocross circuit was the scene
of last year’s British MXGP and will welcome the MX
of Nations later this season.
The first encounter of the 2008 Maxxis ACU British Motocross
Championship will benefit from the recent improvements to
the motocross facility with the riders facing the full GP
track, whilst the many expected spectators will enjoy greatly
enhanced viewing opportunities. With the public very much
in mind, the riders paddock will be situated immediately adjacent
to the track, and will be FREE to access throughout the meeting.
Already the pre season Internationals are providing the early
formbook to the year ahead, with some riders enjoying a better
opening to their campaign than others. With the invitation
events now out of the way, the fight for the title proper
begins here and will take the challengers on an eight round
crusade that will conclude at Hawkstone Park in late September.
Those who want to mount a series attack on the championship
will recognise the importantance of a strong initial showing
and the need for consistency as the series travels the length
and breadth of the country over the coming months.
Reigning champions Billy Mackenzie, MX1 and Mike Brown, MX2
find themselves as team mates in the established CAS Honda
squad, following the young Scot’s winter move from his
previous green factory berth. Both riders begin as hot favourites
to retain their titles, but will totally appreciate the battle
that lies ahead of them. Brad Anderson – Swift Suzuki,
James Noble – KTM UK and Tom Church – Molson Kawasaki
will no doubt be amongst MacKenzie’s main rivals.
MX2 champion Brown will have an equally strong threat to
deal with in the form of Gareth Swanepoel and Stephen Sword
- Molson Kawasaki, Carl Nunn – Suso Suzuki, Shaun Simpson
– KTM UK, plus the likes of Ashley Geedy – PAR
Honda who represents a whole host of emerging talent who will
be looking to make a name for themselves.
As well as the main two classes, Donington Park will also
play host to the opening round of the MXY2 series that will
be contested over four of the eight championship events. Just
like last year’s highly competitive and entertaining
fight for this newly introduced Youth championship, predicting
a winner for 2008 is an impossibility with the field being
packed with so many potential victory bound candidates.
Donington Park is centrally located and can be easily accessed
from either junction 23a or 24 off the M1, or for those travelling
from the north west the venue is signed from the A50. The
on track activities begin at 9.00am, with the riders autograph
session scheduled for 11.30 am ahead of the first race at
12.15pm. With the last MX1 championship race taking place
just before 4.30pm, there is a whole day of premier class
action on offer.
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