Tuesday August 9, 2011 at 10:30am
This weekend the Maxxis ACU British Championship makes its penultimate stop at the spectacular Circuit of Duns in Scotland. The Duns track always draws a large crowd of local fans and with this being effectively Brad Anderson’s home round. With three different championship up for grabs, it’s going to be an exciting days racing at the hillside circuit.
In the MX2 class, Swiss rider Arnaud Tonus on the Bike It Wildwolf Cosworth Yamaha will be returning to British Championship action following some great results in the recent Grand Prix, including a win in the Qualification race last weekend. Tonus currently holds a commanding lead over Elliott Banks Browne on the DB Racing Honda and could claim the title at Duns. Jake Nicholls on the HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK machine will be looking to show his form at Duns after finishing in 5th place at the recent Czech Republic Grand Prix and will be aiming to lay claim on a top 5 place in the championship after missing three rounds of the championship earlier this year. Other riders to look out for will be Neville Bradshaw, Bryan Mackenzie, Mel Pocock and Mattis Karro.
The MX1 class Brad Anderson will be looking to seal the 2011 championship with a round to spare, Anderson currently sits 67 points ahead of Samsung Yamaha’s Kristian Whatley who pulled out of the previous round with an injury. Whatley will be looking to make a return at Duns and maintain his title hopes. Waiting in the wings is Martin Barr on the Boost Energy Drinks KTM who is only three points behind Whatley and will be looking to challenge Anderson for the title after winning the overall at the last round. For Anderson to claim the title in-front of local fans he will need to increase his lead by nine points and he will be crowned champion. Added excitement at the Duns will be the return of former British Champion Billy Mackenzie as he prepares himself for the British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin the following weekend. Other riders looking for a good result will be Gert Krestinov, Tom Church, Alex Snow and Nathan Parker.
The spectacular Duns track also plays host to the final round of the MXY2 Youth Championship. Fresh from two solid point scoring rides in the European 125 Championship at Loket, HM Plant Red Bull rider, Ryan Houghton returns to domestic duty with an eleven point lead over Jordan Divall who will battle it out over two races of the Duns circuit.
The Duns circuit is situated about 15 miles inland from Berwick upon Tweed and is easily reached from the main routes into Scotland. From the town of Duns take the A6105 west and turn right by the sign for the golf course. The postcode for the venue is TD11 3NS. Practice will be starting a 9am and the first race goes off the line at 12:15 with the first MX2 race.