Latest News Articles from ACU.org.uk

British Supermoto Championship Comes to Blyton Park-2nd and 3rd June

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Coming to Blyton Park on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of June is round three of the British Supermoto Championships. This truly spectacular, all action bike sport is where high speed tarmac racing meets off-road dirt jumps to really test a rider's skill and bike control. A supermoto bike is basically a heavily modified motocross machine with the off-road wheels, tyres, suspension and brakes replaced by road-race parts. To top it off the engines are then tuned for maximum performance, which allows the talented supermoto racers to pit their skills against his fellow competitors. If you are still unsure as to what supermoto is, think of it as two-wheeled rallycross with 28 riders tacking huge jumps and dirt berms on slick tyres before heading onto the twists and turns of the tarmac section of the circuit.

Obviously bike set up is important but this high-octane sport is still mainly about the skills of the fearless riders as they slide their 120+ mph machines into the tarmac turns and then lay rubber as they accelerate hard down the next straight. As a motosport spectacle its tough to beat as you can get real close to the action and smell the boiling brakes and tortured rubber only feet away from the action. Joining the two-wheel action are supermoto quads on Saturday and the awesome superbike powered Superlite buggies during Sunday's races.

Practice and qualifying get under way on Saturday with the first bike out on track at 10am at the recently resurfaced Blyton Park circuit with racing both days starting around 11.15 am. The best thing for spectators though is the fact that thanks to NORAsport, admission is only £5,00 per person. So if you fancy avoiding the weekend garden centre rush then head down to Blyton to view the best racers in the country in action.

www.blytonpark.co.uk
www.norasport.com

Blyton Park
Old Blyton Airfield
Kirton Road
Blyton
Gainsborough
DN21 3LB (North 53° 26' 49? - West 0° 40' 49?)
Tel: 01427 628992

Directions

Blyton Park is 5 miles north of Gainsborough on the A159 turn off the Kirton Road B1205, 1 mile from Blyton Village (on the left hand side).

From the North
Exit M180 junction 4, head south on A15,south towards Lincoln. After approx 5 miles turn right onto B1205 Kirton Road. Keep on B1205 over rail crossing after a sharp left followed by a sharp right bend Blyton Park is on the right hand side.

From the South
Head north from Lincoln on the A15 for approx 18 miles. Turn left onto Kirton Road B1205.Keep on B1205 over rail crossing after a sharp left followed by a sharp right bend Blyton Park is on the right hand side.

BSSA (Wessex) ACU Luscombe Suzuki Leeds Tuck and Cross Trial

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Multi national sidecar trials champion Jon Tuck and passenger Matt Sparkes came out of retirement to win the BSSA Wessex Round A.C.U. British Sidecar Championship at Beaconfield Farm, West Harptree on Sunday. The Bristol contenders demonstrated their remarkable skills to head the expert class with a clear ten penalty safety margin over Rochester son and father duo Rupert and Chris Kimber.

The bad luck that took the Kimbers out of two championship rounds transferred to Robin and Sam Luscombe. They finished in third place behind Team Kimber, by a single penalty. "We had a failure in section seven on Sunday morning. The Beta machine engine slowed to tick over speed. We stopped a metre short of the section ends cards. The throttle cable had become detached from the carburetor slide. That part refitted and we were able to resume battle" commented Robin.

With rivals Adrian and Arron Smith down in sixth place Team Luscombe have closed the gap to Smith down to five championship points. The other Isle of Man pairing of Gary Flowers and Antony Smith were fourth and are now second ranked, one point behind the Smiths. Peter Dale and Barry Pocock reigned supreme in the Inter class from standings leaders Tony Crabtree and Jamie Howe followed by Glastonbury's Steve Radford and Mike Redstone. Yate's Phil Sparkes and passenger Roger Tuck won their third Clubman class from Collumpton pairing Paul Churchill and Kevin Parnell.

Sparkes and Tuck have a thirty one point lead in the championship with one dropped score implemented. Roger Tuck rode his last sidecar trial and emigrated to Greece on Monday morning. The eighth round in the championship will be organised by the Mansfield Maun M.C.C. on June 10.

SALTERS LANE HOSTS ROUND TWO OF THE BRITISH YOUTH NATIONALS

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

After a hugely successful opening round at Milton MX Park three weeks ago, the ACU British Youth Nationals Series moves on to Salters Lane Motoparc in Lincolnshire this weekend, for round two of the premier British youth championship.

Salters Lane is a hard pack track that features tabletops, whoops, step-downs, and a range of different corners that will challenge all classes and all abilities. Safety is also a major factor in the track choice this season, with Salters Lane ticking all the boxes for fast, exciting and, most importantly, safe racing.

In the open class Dan Thornhill and Brad Todd will be looking to reduce the championship lead of Liam Garland, who dominated last time out on his Kawasaki KXF250 to take the overall win.

It was another Kawasaki that took the honours in the BW85cc class, with Todd Kellett racking up three wins on Saturday and two second places on Sunday to leave the opening round at the top of the championship standings. Kellett took 219 points, with Josh Coleman and Robert Yates second and third on 194 and 189 points respectively.

The Honda Xtreme Academy podium was also closely fought, with Josh Gilbert's two wins on Sunday giving him the advantage over Adam Day and Michael Ellis.

Taylor Hamal emerged as the stand out rider in SW85cc class. Riding the Pope Racing KTM and carrying number 23, he took four out of the five wins to lead the championship by 28 points from Alexander Brown and Keenan Hird.

In 65cc junior Christopher Mills and Gary Ashley were separated by just 15 points at the end of two days of racing, but it was in the Auto class that the competition was closest. Louie Kessel took victory with 219 points, barely a whisker ahead of Bobby Bruce's 210, and Jack Grayshon's 202. The individual victories were shared between Kessel, who took three, and Bruce, who took the other two events.

"We got the ACU British Youth Nationals Series off to a fantastic start at Milton MX Park, with some brilliant racing over the two days, but we're not about to rest on our laurels," declared Gareth Hockey, Director of RHL Activities. "We'll be going all out this weekend to make round two even better than the opening round, both for the riders and their families."

"We picked up a lot of good ideas from both the riders and their families last time out and some of those ideas we'll start implementing this weekend. This is important, because working in partnership with the riders and their families is the best way to return the British Youth Nationals Series to what it once was; a breeding ground for future world champions."

"I'm looking forward to another great weekend of close and exciting racing and I'm sure the same is true of everyone coming to Salters Lane for round two of the ACU British Youth Nationals Series."

Admission to each British Youth Nationals round is £5.00 for spectators, with children under 12 admitted for free.

Riders looking for a wildcard entry to round two of the British Youth National Series at Salters Lane, should call RHL Activities on 01873 840640.

Round 2 of the 2012 ACU British Trials Championship

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Dirtbike-Action promote The Rock Oil TRC Trial this weekend 19/20 May round 2 of the ACU/Doodson /TRC Trucks supported British trials championship. This year sees some major changes to the venues sections mainly brought about by the rule change to no stop. Section designer Graham Jarvis has had to get his thinking cap on to bring the best out of Westwood and its natural terrain. As usual he has put the time in and worked his magic creating new sections and revising some of last year’s which suit the new rules . Graham was a multi British Championship winner so he knows as well as anyone what is needed. After the surprises in the first round in Scotland, we will soon be able to see what Westwood can offer to the championship.

John Kerwin welcomes onboard as the main sponsor Rock Oil and he says thanks to Rob Sheldon the northern area distributor for all of the help. If you visited this trial last year you could not help but have been impressed with the presentation.

Westwood proved to be popular with the crowds last year with and is easily reached off the M1 at JNC 36 near Barnsley. All of the sections are no more that a 2 minute walk from the start and the whole course is less than 1.5 km . This year the organisers have improved the car parking for spectators. With trade stands, catering, and ample toilets come and see the action this weekend.

As with all of the BTC rounds in 2012 practise takes place on Saturday between 2.30 pm and 5.30pm with the trial starting Sunday with the Expert class at 9.30 am.

All the top riders from Round 1 are entered with James Dabill keen to get back to his winning ways after loosing out to Michael Brown and Gary Macdonald at the opening round. John Crinson was the winner in the Expert class and he will have a whole host of people chasing him down this time with Sherco’s Richard Timperley leading the way.

BSEC title race hots up as series heads to Manor Farm, Northants

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

This weekend sees the UK’s top enduro racers compete in the penultimate event of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship as series organisers GMC Events team up with Enduroland for a not to be missed event at the exciting Manor Farm venue, Northants.

With the Manor Farm venue proving popular with competitors in all classes during 2011 the BSEC series will once again make use of the fantastic terrain on offer, mixing a plentiful supply of grass tracks with natural woodland and numerous man-made obstacles. Despite the recent heavy rain, a track inspection earlier this week has revealed that aside from one or two wet areas the majority of the track is in prime condition having not been used in over five months.

After his double victory at Saints Well, Mid Wales, TM’s Jordan Rose enters rounds seven and eight as the Elite class leader. Fresh from his outstanding performances at the recent Spanish and Portuguese rounds of the Enduro World Championship, Jordan will be hoping his newfound speed will carry him to further BSEC success this weekend.

“I’m really excited about heading to Enduroland,” commented Rose. “Starting the event as the championship leader adds a little extra expectation to perform but I’m hopeful that my recent good results in the EWC will help me to deliver another strong performance.”

However, with many riders also keen to steal a win in the BSEC Elite championship, Rose will face stiff opposition at Adstone. Of those eager to secure victory are the KTM duo of Tom Church and Daryl Bolter. Both riders have now reached peak form as the championship passes the halfway point and at round five and six both pilled the pressure on Rose. This weekend they too will be focused on reaching the top step of the podium.

Add into the mix the consistent performances of Husqvarna’s Jamie Lewis, along with Husaberg’s Si Wakely, Mark Roberts (Kawasaki) and KTM’s Lee Edmondson and the battle for Elite honours will undoubtedly be as fierce as ever.

In the Under 23 class the fight for victory between Gas Gas’ Danny McCanney, KTM’s Jonny Walker and Husaberg’s Alex Rockwell is sure to rage on this weekend. With three race wins to date it’s McCanney that currently leads the way. Placing first and second in Saints Well, the Manxman has since racked up more podium success in the EWC and currently lies third overall in the Enduro Junior World Championship. With momentum on his side, he’ll be hoping for a winning result.
Sitting just 11 points behind McCanney in second position is KTM’s Jonny Walker. After a commanding double win at rounds three and four, the young Cumbrian was distinctively off his game last time out. Using this weekend’s event as preparation for his assault on this year’s Erzberg Rodeo, Walker will be determined to put a dent in McCanney’s championship lead.
Tasting victory at round six of the series in Saints Wells, Rockwell is a rider that also enters Adstone following time spent on the EWC tour. Fourth in the Enduro Junior class at the recent Spanish GP, the Manxman has the ability to turn rounds seven and eight of the series into a winning ride. Knocking on the door of a top result is Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland, Lewis Belfield (KTM) and Jordan Scott (KTM).

Hard charging Steve Holcombe is on the verge of being crowned the first champion of the 2012 BSEC season. Clocking up a maximum six wins from six starts in the Under 19 class, Holcombe will be focused on ending his weekend as the new Under 19 champion. Behind Holcombe, Kawasaki’s Joe Wootton, James Dent (KTM), Joe Jones (KTM), Robert Johnson (Husqvarna) and Aaron Smith (Husaberg) are all focused on reaching the podium.

In the 125 Youth Cup the race for victory heats up between Lee Sealey (KTM), Brad Freeman (KTM) and TM’s Josh Gotts. With Sealey holding a slender two-point lead in the championship over Freeman, and with Gotts just six points further back, the penultimate stop of the BSEC series will be a crucial one for all involved.

It’s Tyson Maytom-Jones (Husaberg) that currently heads the way in the Expert class. Picking up a win at round five in Saints Well, the Husaberg rider holds a four-point advantage over KTM’s Richard Ely. However, with KTM’s Oliver Hart just three points behind Ely in third, and beginning to find his form in the series, it’s still all to play for in the Expert class.

Another rider that remains undefeated in 2012 is Jane Daniels (KTM), who may also be crowned champion at Adstone. Securing maximum points so far in the championship, Daniels is looking to become the first ever Women’s champion of the BSEC. Adding further spice to the class will be the battle between Rhian George (KTM), Katie Walker (KTM) and Fionn Griffiths (KTM).

In the Clubman class, TM’s Gethin Francombe is currently on a roll. With three wins from the last three races, he’ll be hoping for his win streak to continue in Adstone. However, Richard Topping (Honda), Jamie Jenkins (KTM) and Ian Smart (KTM) will be keen to capitalise on any mistakes he makes this weekend.

With it all still to play, for the penultimate venue for the British Sprint Enduro Championship at Enduroland in Adstone, Northampton, is the place to be this weekend.

Further information can be found at the championship’s website www.enduro-sprint.com

Postcode: NN12 8DT.

Entry Fee:
Adults £10.00 each, includes championship programme. Under 14 year olds free. Overnight camping £10.00??

Parking: ?
Vehicles will be parked on a generous, flat parking area a stone’s throw away from the start/finish area.??

General info:?
Racing starts at 9.30am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. Catering & Toilet facilities will be available on site. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.

2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship
Round 1: Saturday, February 11th – Eelmoor, Aldershot, GU11 2HL
Round 2: Sunday, February 12th – Eelmoor, Aldershot, GU11 2HL

Round 3: Saturday, March 10th – Llangrove, Monmouth, NP25 5RT
Round 4: Sunday, March 11th – Llangrove, Monmouth, NP25 5RT

Round 5: Saturday, April 7th – Saints Well, Powys, LD1 6PT
Round 6: Sunday, April 8th – Saints Well, Powys, LD1 6PT

Round 7: Saturday, May 19th – Adstone, Northants, NN12 8DT
Round 8: Sunday, May 20th – Adstone, Northants, NN12 8DT

Round 9: Saturday, June 16 – Canada Heights, Kent, BR8 8DX
Round 10: Sunday, June 17 – Canada Heights, Kent, BR8 8DX

Adstone Set To Host Eddy’s Xtreme Final

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Paul Edmondson has now confirmed that the final round of the ACU British Extreme Enduro Championship, the Eddy’s Xtreme Enduro series, will be running on Saturday June 23rd at Manor Farm Adstone in Northamptonshire.

The venue is home to Enduroland and has hosted big events in previous years but the Xtreme Final looks set to be the biggest and best yet. Enduroland’s Boss Hog, Nigel Wheatley, has jumped at the opportunity to host the event and both he and Fast Eddy have plans underway to make the event memorable.

The first two rounds of Eddy’s Xtreme Enduro series have tested riders over two one-hour races, then one two-hour race and the final round will be a series of shorter Enduro-X races over a newly built course.

The format for the event will see each class ride for 15 minutes of timed qualifying, purely for start positions, followed by four individual class races with the top five riders from each class, excluding Youth racer, contesting a Grande Finale in the evening, followed by plenty of partying and entertainment.

Adstone already has a small Enduro-X course which will be replaced, totally redesigned and rebuilt by something much larger and much more spectacular that will be Europe’s largest outdoor Enduro-X arena when completed.

A recent meeting at Adstone between Paul Edmondson and Nigel Wheatley was very productive and plans for the Extreme Arena have already been drawn up with work starting in the next couple of weeks.

The course will be built in a style which will encourage racing for pure spectator entertainment and after looking at recent extreme events such as Red Bull Romaniacs and Red Bull’s New Zealand venue both Fast Eddy and Enduroland will be bringing sections such as wall rides, containers and other European style obstacles, not usually seen in the UK, to this event.

With KORR’s Jonny Walker leading the Championship it will be his to lose, however, with KTM’s David Knight and Husaberg’s Graham Jarvis still in contention amongst a host of other top stars who excel at this type of racing, the final round promises to be the ultimate showdown on the ultimate course at a really superb venue.

Adstone has the capacity and facilities to accommodate an event of this scale but more importantly for the riders, it also has some seriously technical sections outside the arena, which will be used throughout the day before the final showdown in the Arena on Saturday evening.

Eddy’s Xtreme Enduro has maintained the five-class format; Pro, Expert, Clubman, Veterans and Youth 13-16 limited to just twenty riders per class. Demand for entries is expected to be heavy with so many riders in contention for a British Championship title across all classes.

Boss Hog will attend to all matters outside of racing. There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the weekend with a firework display, the famous Dog Inn, a live band, mini bike and quad hire and plenty to entertain kids and parents in addition to the stars of Enduro racing for a British Champions title in the most spectacular fashion.

As if the Extreme Final was not enough to sate rider’s appetites there is also a round of the Rock Oil XC Championship scheduled for the following day where riders can experience the course used by the Pros.

Make a date in your diary, Adstone June 23rd and 24th. Definitely one not to miss.

Spectator prices and entry costs remain the same so please contact Mandy on 01543 370070 or go online to fasteddyracing.com for more details, entry forms and information. Entries open on Monday May 14th.

Richmond Motor Club National Mintex Trophy Trial

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Just over a month to go and the hottest youth topic in Yorkshire is the Mintex Trophy Youth Trial on June 24. Just about all the Class A and B front runners in the British Championship series have had nothing on their mind but the Mintex. Just about all the main award winners last year are still young enough to compete. Sam Yeadon got round last year to win but has grown up and is out of his year’s epic. Rob Waite is in and he scorched round in 2.56.13 last year and has a repeat ride in his mind. Nathan Stones has been planning the time and observation trial for months and in recent weeks the weather has hampered preparations for this unique event.

The format runs exactly as the Scott Trial so the fastest rider, Class A and B ONLY, calls the tune. Now consider that many youth trials run on a short courses and speed is not vital. The boot therefore goes firmly on the other foot. For a starter two twenty five miles laps of moorland have to be ridden with brain in gear. Speak to any veteran of the Scott Trial and you will get the same answer – the ditches, the streams, the holes, the bogs, will get you. Add in Nathan’s thirty sections and the mathematics are more or less half a Scott Trial in glorious June, in the heartlands of the Scott Trial. Watch T+ MX News regulations column and get entered sharpish. Or miss the fun.

The start area is as last year at Hurst, north of Marrick.

School of Rock

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

The No Limits Trials Academy pulled it out of the bag once again as 22 riders from across the UK took part in the second round of the Southern Series OSET Cup. Luckily, drought conditions prevailed as the rain held off for the entire day.

Inta Motorcyle Services sponsored the trophies, the first of which was collected by 4 year old Alexander Horne who claimed the top spot on the easy route. Taylor Crossland and Rowan Campbell-Pilling both from Sheffield came in second and third respectively.

Intermediate route was won by 4 year old Keighley youngster Myles Hutchinson who clearly aware of the gravitas of the moment, solemnly accepted his first ever first place trophy (and not the last we’re sure!) He was joined on the podium by Sophie Bailey and Charlie Crossland.

Hard route went right down to the wire with all three podium finishers within a whisker of each other. The win went to 8 year old local lad, Alex Davies followed by Dominic Horne who only just missed out on the top spot after going the wrong side of a flag. He was joined by Lewis Hurdsman in third. There’s nothing between Dominic and Lewis this season – it’s going to be one of the closest competitions across the whole of trials between the two friends.

Rider of the Day was awarded to Ronny Taylor who was on his first ever ride out at a trial and had a fabulous day! A star of the future?.....what this space!

Andy Hogg from No Limits Trials Academy, said: “It was great to welcome so many new faces at the showground. The OSET Cup is really taking off and as well as having brand new riders like little Ronny we also saw Oliver Smith pull off some fantastic riding on the 20” OSET.”

With many families camping at the Detling showground and cementing friendships, the atmosphere post trial was great as all the OSET riders and their younger siblings got to practice many of the sections again and put right earlier mistakes. The show-stopper, down and up bomb hole with a log-jump at the top proved extremely popular in practice! And it’s worth mentioning Ryan Shepherd who showed massive courage and determination in this intimidating section!

Barry Huskinson from OSET, said: “The OSET Cups are really taking off around the UK. There was a lovely family atmosphere with lots of support for all the youngsters as parents and riders alike encouraged each other as they tackled the sections.”

The next event takes place Saturday 26th May. Venue TBC. For more details contact Andy Hogg on 07894 806 788 or email hogg-a1@sky.com

Donington Park Classic Festival.

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

The Classic Racing Motorcycle Club is organising a race meeting as well as a Classic Festival celebrating Yamaha on the 11th and 12th of August at Donington Park . The itinerary consists of a packed programme of over 30 Classic and Post Classic solo and sidecar races including rounds of the ACU 350cc Post Classic Championship, the Wheatcroft Trophy Race and the European Vintage Cup.

The meeting also features the official Yamaha Classic Race Team who will have a static display of 14 iconic classic works machines as well as on track displays with Phil Read and Steve Baker riding the Moto GP M1

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the TZ production race machine there will be a static display of every model produced.

VIC ASHFORD

ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH:mm:ss GMT

Sadly, Vic Ashford recently passed away. Vic has been involved in motorcycle sport for well over 50 years as both a rider and official.

The funeral will take place on 21st May 2012 at 3.00pm at St Mary's Chruch, Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1EL.

The family would then like to invite mourners back to Homers Heth, Buckland Football club House (the start of the Moor to Sea). Family flowers only, a retiring collection will be taken in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance. Our condolences go to the family and friends of Vic.