The NETT Club hosted the ACU British championships of 2023 at the Dean Moor track in Cumbria. It was part of the Annual Connor Smith Memorial event run across two days, incorporating the NETT Championship, round two of the British Sidecar championship and round four of the British Quad Championships.
The track was in great condition, and rain the previous day kept the dust to a manageable level, although it was very dry by the end of the day. The weather was cloudy, and a cold wind blew across the exposed landscape making it feel much colder.
Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard led the sidecar championship after round one, with current champion Stuart Brown and new passenger Nathan Cooper missing the first event due to injury.
Racing got underway with an early lead for Stuart Brown / Nathan Cooper with George Kinge / Zac Snell holding second just ahead of Dan Foden and stand in passenger Jack Wilkinson. Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard held third but were on a charge fighting hard to move into second on a fast track where passing is difficult for sidecars. They took a few laps to move ahead, and had the leading duo in sight, but couldn’t find a way past settling for second. Dan Foden / Jack Wilkinson looked in great form taking third with George Kinge / Zac Snell fourth. Behind Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame blasted though to fifth with Liam Mudie / Jim Kinge just behind.
In Race two it was Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard who took the holeshot and held the lead throughout to take their first great win of the day. Dan Foden / Jack Wilkinson held second from Stuart Brown / Nathan Cooper. They were on a charge from the start working their way into second, and despite closing on the leaders, they had to settle for second. Dan Foden / Jack Wilkinson held third with a battle for fourth behind. Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame fought back from a slow start to blast into fourth with Lee Foyle / Dan Phelps just behind in fifth. Liam Mudie / Jim Kinge had another great race taking sixth.
In the last sidecar championship race of the day Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard flew down the long start straight and into the long left hander to take their second hold-shot, and despite challenges from behind they held on for another brilliant win. Behind, Stuart Brown / Nathan Cooper battled with Dan Foden / Jack Wilkinson to take second. George Kinge / Zac Snell took advantage of a great start to take fourth, just ahead of Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame, with Lee Foyle / Dan Phelps sixth.
At the end of another eventful day Wilkinson / Millard hold the championship lead, joining then on the podium were Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain battled with Dan Foden / Nathan Cooper, but neither of those teams are at the top of the championship after missing races at the previous event. After a consistent day Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame hold second in the championship with Lee Foyle / Dan Phelps in third.
Don’t miss round three and four in on the August bank holiday weekend at Schoolhouse MX, where the race to become champion will conclude.
In the quad races Harry Walker was back from injury to take three great wins.
The first race got underway with an early lead for Harry Walker leading the race to take his first win of the day. Dean Dillon tucked into second, with Dafydd Davies closed in third until he had problems and was left track side. Jack Naylor took third chased by Chad Beevers who managed to pass on the final lap of the race.
In race two it was Murray Graham who quickly moved into the lead, but the competition was strong with Harry Walker working hard to find a way past going on to take a second win. Murray Graham was challenged by Dean Dillon until his bike expired, this left Dafydd Davies to fight past to take second with Murray Graham holding third. Oli Sansom battled through to take a great fourth.
In the final championship race of the day Dean Dillon left nothing to chance, moving onto the lead and working hard to stay ahead, chased by Dafydd Davies. Harry Walker held third, but worked hard in the first part of the race to find a way through to the lead. Dean Dillon held a safe second from Dafydd Davies. Back in fourth Chad Beevers finished just ahead of Murray Graham.
Don’t miss the next round hosted by Nora MX on 6th August 6th at Little Silver.