The penultimate round of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship powered by Skye Energy headed to Preston Docks following the seven week summer break. The Preston venue was a new venue to the championship for this year and was in great condition for racing.
In the MX1 class current champion Shaun Simpson arrived with a strong points advantage over Tanel Leok, meaning when Leok’s LPE Kawasaki suffered a technical issue before the start of the opening MX1 race, Simpson only needed to finish inside the top 10 to secure the title. Simpson took full advantage of Leok’s misfortunate to take the race win and the title to the delight of his team.
Shaun Simpson produced a flawless performance in the second and third race which saw the world number four only headed for half a lap all day and once again stood on the top step of the podium with Kristian Whatley on Buildbase Honda Racing Team just edging out Graeme Irwin on the Heads and ALL Threads Suzuki by a single point. Brad Anderson looked set to record his best result of the season, but a DNF with just three laps to go in the final moto scuppered his chances of a certain podium position on the MBO Power ASA Scaffolding Yamaha.
Billy MacKenzie made his return to British Championship action on the 450 version of the Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki but struggled to find his rhythm on the rough sandy circuit, but still finished 11th overall which included a charge from last on the first lap in the opening 20 minute sprint.
Max Anstie on the Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki was equally dominate in the MX2 class and heads to the final round in four weeks’ time with a forty four point advantage over his closest challenger Steven Lenoir on the Dyer and Butler KTM who recorded 5-4-3 results to keep his slim hopes alive whilst Adam Sterry on the Wilvo Forkrent KTM backed up his two second place finishes with a 6th to take second overall on the day.
MXW Racing Chichester Honda’s Oliver Osmaston extended his lead in the MXY2 Youth category despite having to pick himself up from the floor in the opening moto and climbing back up to eighth with two moto wins to round off the day.
The final round of the championship takes place in four weeks’ time at another deep sand circuit, FatCat Moto Park near Doncaster on the 4
th October.