North Berks Super Trial

North Berks Bonanza Super Trial to be held on Sunday 27th July 2008 at Seymours Arena Aston Tirold Nr Didcot Oxfordshire. 12.00noon start gates open from 10.00am, camping available on the Saturday night.

Plenty of parking available catering van, trade stands and toilets.

After some serious work at the venue by ace section builder Stu Robinson, the trial will consist of 2 laps of 8 super tough brand new spectacular sections for qualifying with the top 4 riders going through to a final.

The confirmed riders include James Dabill, Michael Brown, Graham Jarvis, Shaun Morris, Alexz Wigg, Sam Haslam, Ross Danby & Jack Challoner.
Admission will be £10 per adult £5 for children, under 5's free. (The admission is to help towards substantial prize money). 

Return to Foxhills

MacKenzie and Simpson head Foxhill charge 
The famous steep chalk hills of the Foxhill circuit are set to welcome the sixth round of the 2008 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship on Sunday 27th July. Billy MacKenzie – CAS Honda and Shaun Simpson – KTM UK currently head their respective classes, despite having enjoyed contrasting results at the previous round in Northern Ireland.

MacKenzie was forced to sit out the visit to Desertmartin after having sustained a shoulder injury at the French Grand Prix. Up until that point the young Scotsman had held a 100% record in the MX1 class, winning all eight motos to date to open up what looked an insurmountable sixty-five point lead. However in Billy’s absence his rivals took full advantage, with James Noble – KTM now having cut the reigning champion’s lead to a far less comfortable twenty-three points.

The demands of the undulating track at Foxhill will soon reveal if MacKenzie is back to full fitness, as he looks to keep the likes of Wayne Smith – Pioneer Yamaha - the overall winner in Ireland, Ray Rowson – PAR Honda – a race victor at round five and Noble at bay. Tom Church – Molson Kawasaki and Mark Jones – Kawasaki will also be amongst the group of riders who will be hoping to make the most of Billy’s ongoing recovery period.

At this present moment it would seem that MX2 class leader Simpson can do little wrong, and took full advantage of Stephen Sword – Molson Kawasaki being below par at the previous domestic encounter. Sword adopted a damage limitation role and picked up nineteen valuable points after grinding his way through two painful motos in Ireland. Simpson showed no sympathy and romped away with two race wins and a maximum fifty points to edge nine points ahead of his more experienced fellow Scot.

Martin Barr – UTAG Yamaha is perhaps the only other rider with an outside chance of taking the MX2 title, but has much work to do if he is to realistically catch the Scottish duo. The current top five is completed by the Suso Suzuki pairing of Carl Nunn and Jason Dougan, with the ex national champion holding a slim three point lead over his younger team mate.

Foxhill will also play host to round three of the MXY2 championship. Currently at the top of the table, Josh Waterman – Kawasaki has yet to win a race, but through sheer consistency heads Scott Elderfield – KTM, who in contrast suffered a DNF at the previous counting round. Edward Allingham – PAR Honda holds third spot at the moment, in a series that will be decided at Brampton in mid August.

The day will get underway with youth practice at 9.00am, this will be quickly followed by both MX2 and MX1 timed qualifying, before the top riders take part in a public autograph session at 11.30am. The real action will start at 12.15pm with the first MXY2 race, which will serve as a warm up for the initial MX2 clash at 12.50pm. With the last MX1 moto not scheduled to start until 4.20pm there is a full day of racing on offer.

Team GB/ACU Motocross of Nations Team Selection

ACU Motocross Committee Chairman Brian Higgins and ACU Team GB Manager Mark Eastwood are pleased to announce their team selection for ACU Team GB for the Motocross of Nations 2008, to be held at Donington Park on 27th/28th September 2008.

Team GB comprises some of the biggest names in British and World Motocross and has been selected based upon each rider’s outstanding performances in 2008.

24 year old Billy Mackenzie, from Longniddry, East Lothian, 19 year old Tommy Searle, from Gouldhurst and 20 year old Shaun Simpson, from Fife, will each carry the hopes of thousands of British Motocross fans as they battle to bring the Chamberlain Trophy back to Great Britain for the first time in 14 years.

Mark said, “It will be no surprise to anybody that Billy and Tommy are in the Team.  It was the third member who was always going to be a very difficult choice.  Shaun’s form has certainly stepped up a gear recently and he is regularly starting to challenge the established Grand Prix riders for podium places, climbing onto the podium in both Bulgaria and Sweden.

Billy’s MX1 British Championship form has been devastating, leaving everybody else to fight for 2nd place.  Tommy’s World Championship form speaks for itself taking his first double victory and leading the Series after Round 7.  Both riders like the Donington Park circuit and achieved excellent results at the MXGP in 2007,  I’m sure Shaun’s first appearance in the MXoN Team will spur him on even more.

We will certainly be aiming for the win, Tommy now has much more experience of climbing to the top of a World Championship rostrum, Billy’s form on home soil and Shaun’s determination, plus of course the support from the partisan crowd will add inspiration to the Team.

Budds Creek was my first MXoN as Manager and I enjoyed it immensely, unfortunately we suffered from injury early on, but beating the Americans on home soil was always going to be difficult, I’m sure we can make it as hard for other Teams at Donington!”

Higgins commented “We were very pleased with Mark as team manager in the USA last year and are sure that he has picked the team with the best chance of victory at Donington. With the home crowd behind the team and with the motivation that Mark has shown he can give to the riders, this is probably one of the best chances of success we have had in recent years”

The Motorsport Alliance unveiled

Motorsport Alliance unveiled at House of Lords reception

The Motorsport Alliance was unveiled on Monday evening (21 July) at the House of Lords Summer Reception in the presence of Lord Astor of Hever and members of the All Parliamentary Motor Group.

The Motorsport Alliance is a new, joint initiative between the Motor Sports Association (UK governing body of four wheel motor sport), the Auto Cycle Union (UK governing body of two wheel motorcycle sport) and the Motorsport Industry Association (the UK’s industry association for motorsport).

The Motorsport Alliance will allow the MSA, ACU and MIA to speak, when appropriate or necessary, on behalf of the whole of UK motorsport - with a single voice. The Motorsport Alliance aims to improve liaison and understanding with government departments, regional authorities, devolved administrations and representative bodies. The three member organisations will formulate joint communications and strategies for the benefit of UK motorsport and its industry and communicate these to this influential audience.

“We have always worked closely with the ACU and the MIA on a variety of issues, but formalising this relationship between the three parties will provide a recognisable body for greater strength and a common voice when it is most needed,” said Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the MSA.
 
“The ACU is delighted to join the MSA and MIA in this very positive development for British motorsport. This partnership between the National Governing bodies of our sport and the industry which supports it will allow motorsport to deliver a single, strong and informed message when the issues demand it,” said Dave Luscombe, Business Development Manager of the ACU.
 
“We are pleased to support this excellent, long overdue initiative as our member companies service and supply all UK motorsport and we need to speak from a collective position of strength on relevant issues,” said MIA CEO, Chris Aylett.

Notes:
The Motor Sports Association (MSA) represents 34,000 competition licence holders, 750 motor clubs, an estimated 200,000 club members, 14,000 volunteer marshals and 2,500 licensed officials. It sanctions 5,000 motor sport events a year.

The Auto Cycle Union (ACU) is a Union of 650 sporting motorcycle clubs, representing over 30,000 sporting motorcycle riders, who take part in excess of 10,000 ACU sanctioned competitive motorcycle events every year. 
 
The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) is the leading trade association for Motorsport's performance engineering, services and tuning industry. It represents over 300 member companies who transact over £3 billion of global motorsport business – most located in a central area of the UK that has become known as Motorsport Valley.

British Grass Track Championships 21st September 2008

ACU Track Racing Committee Chairman, Tony Noel wishes to inform you of a change of venue for the British Grass Track Championship due to be held on 21st September 2008.

Following the landowner withdrawing his permission to use the land, after apologising to the Club, the Maidstone Aces MCC has had to seek an alternative venue for the event.  However, Martin Hook, Maidstone Aces MCC has informed the Committee that the popular Collier Street venue in Tonbridge will now be the replacement venue.

Martin Hook, Secretary, Maidstone Aces MCC said, “The track we will be using is just inside the main circuit.  Having secured the best track in the country for this event we now intend to make it a championship to remember, with the best riders in the country in each class. Bring it on!”

Kevin Still, landowner and Secretary, Tonbridge & Malling MCC said,
The track being used is the same one that we used for the British Championship in ‘06 which produced some excellent racing.  The only difference in September being that the Maidstone Aces MCC will be having ‘on track’ starts, because the main track has been ploughed and seeded ready for the Bonfire Burn-up on 2nd November.
Tonbridge & Malling MCC wish the Maidstone Aces the very best of luck with this event.

Tony Noel said, “Whilst understandably disappointed at the loss of a venue for Track Racing, I appreciate Martin and the Maidstone Aces MCC efforts in ensuring that the meeting still goes ahead.  I’m sure Collier Street will again prove to be an excellent venue for the British Championships and I would like to pass the Committee’s thanks on to the landowners, Kevin and Drew Still for accommodating the event at short notice.”

World Enduro Championship at Llanidloes 18th/19th July 2008

Chairman of the ACU’s Trials & Enduro Committee and FIM Jury Member, John Collins wishes to congratulate the Hafren Dirt Bike Club for running an excellent World Enduro Championship Round at Llanidloes on 18th/20th July 2008.

Despite the best attempts of the Welsh weather on Friday and Saturday, the weekend provided great entertainment for the thousands of spectators who braved the conditions, with the broad consensus being that this was one of the best organised and most challenging World Enduro’s witnessed for many years.

John Collins said, “The ACU Trials and Enduro Committee would like to pass on their thanks to the Hafren DBC for a superb event.  They surpassed everybody’s expectations, running an event that will undoubtedly become a benchmark for future rounds of the World Championship.”      

Women's Trial des Nations Team selection

The ACU’s Trials and Enduro Committee are pleased to announce the ACU’s Team GB Women’s Trials Des Nations members taking part in the event at La Rabassa, Andorra on 28th/29th September 2008.

‘Des Nations record breakers Becky Cook, Donna Fox and Maria Conway will be attempting to achieve a third consecutive victory in the competition after already becoming the first ever to record back to back wins, in 2006 & 2007.  With Becky currently lying 2nd in the Women’s Trial World Championship, Maria 4th and Donna 5th they will once again be favourites to lift the title and complete an incredible hat-trick.

John Collins, Chairman, ACU Trials and Enduro Committee said, “I am incredibly proud of the Team’s achievements in 2006 and 2007 and confident they can break their own record once more.   The ladies coped superbly with the added pressure of defending their title in the Isle of Man last year, I’m sure they will be determined to create history once more.  It is very rewarding to look at the World Championship table and see yet another ACU licence holder, young Emma Bristow, aged 17, also in the top six, next year’s Team selection may be very difficult!”

The Men’s Team will be decided after the British Experts Trial at Carlisle on 26th July 2008.

World Enduro championship GP of Wales

Making the most of the two month break in the US GNCC Series Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight made a wildcard appearance at the fifth round of the ’08 World Enduro Championship and promptly collected two Enduro 2 class podium finishes aboard his 450cc KTM. Choosing the GP of Wales to make his return to the WEC the former two-time enduro world champion and current leader of the US GNCC Series placed as runner-up to former team-mate Juha Salminen on day one and then finished third behind Frenchman Johnny Aubert and Salminen on day two.

With heavy rain falling throughout the opening day’s competition the GP of Wales proved to be a grueling event.

For a full report and results see  www.enduronews.com

2008 ACU Dunlop Suzuki GSX-R Trophy

For full championship reports and information please go to the ACU Dunlop Suzuki GSX-R Trophy website at  www.gsxrtrophy.co.uk

Points table


Remaining rounds

26th-27th July,                     Anglesey 2 rounds
16th - 17th August,             Castle Combe 1 round
30th August,                         Oulton Park 1 round
14th September,                 Brands Hatch 1 round
18th-19th October,              Pembrey, 2 rounds

Aberdare Road Races

The traditional Aberdare Road races take place on Saturday/Sunday 26/27th of July. 

Organised by the Aberaman Motorcycle club who have arranged several new ideas for 2008 including a chance for all spectators who ride a bike can ride the circuit. 

For more information see the clubs web site at  www.aberdare-park-road-races.co.uk