Jones leads Crockard at Polesworth - photo Ray Archer
The 2005 Maxxis British Championships make a short jaunt east for the third round at the Cadders Hill circuit in Lyng close to Norwich on April 10th. The premier off-road motorcycle racing series in Europe is now over a quarter of the way through the calendar and the third test for the riders of the MX1 and MX2 series comes just four weeks after the contest kicked off at Canada Heights in Kent.
The second event at Polesworth, near Tamworth, took place under less than agreeable weather conditions but like the season-opener in Swanley the action was electric with podium positions remaining undecided right up until the final laps.
Reigning MX1 Champion Josh Coppins made an impressive return after missing round one with a dislocated shoulder by winning two races at Polesworth. The New Zealander, who also triumphed at the 2004 British Grand Prix, lies sixth in the standings after his perfect 60 point haul. Paul Cooper still heads the Championship table although was only able to pick up one top three spot in Tamworth.
Carl Nunn has won one race from four but retains a 100% podium tally in the MX2 competition and therefore leads the early title chase on his works KTM. The class is proving to be a deliciously open affair with four different victors in four motos and six riders have taken podium honours.
The 2005 British Championships attract a wide cosmopolitan mix of nationalities befitting its lofty status with at least ten riders in each class also racing in the FIM World Championships, the first round of which occurs this weekend at Zolder in Belgium. Representatives from America, Holland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Japan line-up against the cream of British talent with works support from manufacturers such as Suzuki, Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki and TM.
The Cadders Hill circuit is currently undergoing final preparations in readiness for its big event on April 10th. The Norwich Viking Motorcycle club have been organising race meetings at the track for almost 70 years. Originally the venue was used for ‘hill-climbs’ when club members held competitive outings against the Army and Home Guard during the war. Cadders Hill was used for the televised Trophy scrambles in the late ’60s, hosting a 125cc Grand Prix in the ’90s, and has been running British Championship events for over 20 years in the sandy terrain.
The layout was modified in 2004 with the introduction of a ‘chicane’ section just before the finish to slow the riders down as they approach the chequered flag from the awesome 60 foot drop off the edge of ‘the hill’. The mix of sand and deep soil is a feature that makes the Lyng venue slightly special compared to the rest of the calendar.
For more information see the series web site @ www.mxgb.info