Britain’s best MXGP rider Shaun Simpson, is heading to Weston Super Mare to continue his amazing season of winning sand races.
Shaun will look to retain his RHL Weston Beach Race crown which he won in 2014.
In 2015 Shaun has won Grand Prix races in Lommel the toughest sand track in the
world and last weekend at the famous road race circuit at Assen which hosted
their first ever MXGP event on a man made purpose built sand circuit.
His 2015 season has been quite simply magnificent, currently leading the Maxxis
British Championship by 116 points, racing to 4th place at his first ever US
National at Unadilla and chasing a possible third place in this years world
motocross championship with two rounds to go in the Mexico and USA.
Shaun will need to be on his A-game as multi time Weston Beach Race winner
David Knight, Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing team rider Jamie McCanney, Red
Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP fellow competitor Nathan Watson and a whole host of top motocross riders and enduro stars from the UK and Europe.
Firstly congrats on yet another amazing MXGP victory, thats number two of the season, how cool was it to win at the very first Assen event? “Its not every weekend you get to win a GP - This year I have managed to win 2 in
the space of a month which is yet again another first for me in my career. It
was obviously made even more special by it being the first MXGP at the Assen TT
Circuit. It was a totally new track and was built in the space of 4 days. When
I seen the type of sand that they were bringing in I felt confident and after
that it was a great weekend. Something special with the crowd up on the
grandstand and the atmosphere was different to a normal GP so that was cool
too.” You’re back for Weston and yet more deep sand to play with, what is it with you and sand? “Back in for Weston 2015 - I’m really excited about this event every year. Its
something totally different and a race that I always enjoy. I obviously love
the sand so playing on my bike for 3 hours on Weston beach is the perfect
afternoon out for me. It hasn't always been something I have been totally
comfortable with though. Riding sand takes hours of training and practice to
finally conquer. I have spent a lot of time in Belgium and Holland in my
motocross career and there is only really sand there to ride so I have racked
up the hours and persevered through some tough times to finally feel
comfortable in the soft stuff.” You won the race in 2014, going into this years Weston Beach Race you’ve got to be feeling confident? “Winning Weston had been a goal of mine for a few years. My Dad won it and I had
finished 2nd twice before so to win last year was special. Obviously I think
I'm in with a great shot of winning it again this year but as we know lots can
happen down on the Weston Beach. You have to take into consideration the other
riders, strategy, pit stops and mechanical issues which can all play a big part
in the overall outcome. Everything going well I will be there or there abouts.” You have two more world championship races left, in Mexico and the USA and it’s still possible to finish third in the world - is that your ultimate goal to end your season? “Honestly I think that 3rd in the World Championship is a long shot at the moment - But this is motocross and it's never over until it’s over. I will be going to
Mexico and the USA to give 100% and the rest we will see when the finish flag
drops after the second moto at Glen Helen. My season goal was top 5 in the
world so realistically if I can finish 4th then I'll be more than happy with
that. It's been a great season.”
Shaun heads to Preston Docks this weekend hoping to wrap up the Maxxis British
Championship for the third time in his career this weekend, a track I’m sure
he’ll love as its sand based.
For more information on how to enter this years RHL Weston Beach Race which takes place on October 9-11 can be found
HERE
Image by Ray Archer/KTM