Hawkstone Park – International Moto-X – Sunday 2nd March 2008
Coppins heads the charge to Hawkstone Park
New Zealand’s Josh Coppins will arrive at Hawkstone
Park this weekend in hot form following his total domination
of the French international meeting last Sunday. The highly
popular kiwi won all three motos in Valence to confirm that
he is very much focussed on winning the World title he missed
out on last season, when a cruel injury robbed him of the
championship he was leading at the time. Coppins’ visit
to the famous sandy Shropshire circuit will not be without
challenge, with current MX1 World champion Steve Ramon also
showing good pace at the French meeting.
Other MX1 Hawkstone hopefuls in the form of Max Nagl, Ken
De Dyker and Julien Bill all proved their early season pace
to complete the top six at Valence, and will arrive in the
UK with a point to prove not only against each other, but
also against what is still regarded as one of the toughest
tracks on the planet.
In the MX2 class Britain’s vice World champion Tommy
Searle just missed out on the overall win in France due to
a poor second moto showing, and was knocked off the top spot
by Tyla Rattray. Both of these young pretenders will be back
in action at Hawkstone Park, when the battle will be re-ignited
not only for MX2 honours, but also in the Grand Final when
the smaller capacity bikes come up against their bigger counterparts.
Local rider Ray Rowson heads to his main home meeting of
the year in excellent shape having gone 1-2 at the opening
round of the British Open championship held in Devon last
Sunday. Despite sharing the same points as eventual winner
Wayne Smith, who will also be competing at the Hawkstone International,
Rowson had to settle for the runners up berth due to being
defeated in the second moto. Rowson will no doubt be looking
for revenge over Smith at this weekend’s showdown, and
is sure to have plenty of local support to encourage him to
compete high up the order.
The Hawkstone International always attracts a large crowd,
so visitors are advised to arrive early. Hawkstone Park is
located ten miles north of Shrewsbury and will be signed from
the A49 and A53. Entrance tickets will be readily available
at the gate on the day. Entrance tickets, including full paddock
access will be priced £25.00 for adults and £15.00
for children (aged 5-15 years old) / OAP’s – Children
under 5 years old can enter free of charge if accompanied
by an adult.
Programme of Events
09.00 – 09.40 MX2 Qualifying Group A - 10 minutes free
practice / 20 minutes timed / 5 minutes start
09.45 – 10.25 MX2 Qualifying Group B - 10 minutes free
practice / 20 minutes timed / 5 minutes start
10.30 – 11.10 Open Qualifying - 10 minutes free practice
/ 20 minutes timed/ 5 minutes start
Interval
12.00 Race 1 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
12.40 Race 2 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
1.20 Race 3 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
2.00 Race 4 MX2 International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
2.40 Race 5 Open International 25 minutes + 2 Laps
3.20 Race 6 Experts Support 20 minutes + 2 Laps
4.10 Race 7 International Grand Final 25 minutes + 2 Laps
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