Maxxis British Motocross Championship - Round 1
Sunday 10th March 2002
Race Reports
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Report By Kevin Impey
Motorcross series off to a flyer
A LARGE crowd attended Canada Heights in Swanley on Sunday for the opening round of this season's British Motocross Championship. And off-road motorsport fans were not disappointed as the thrilling action had them entralled with racing which had five different race winners on four different brands of machine! At the end of the opening round, Belgium's ace rider Patrick Caps on a 124KTM leads the 125 class after a win and second in his two races, while Carl Nunn aboard a Husqvarna, heads the open category. With riders coming from all over Great Britain and wild card entries from Europe and as far afield as South Africa, the dry but cold and blustery conditions provided excellent entertainment with races lasting on average 16 laps. The morning qualifying whittled the fields for the two main categories down to 40 riders and in the opening 125 race, Billy Mackenzie was first on a Yamaha ahead of Capps and Australian rider Brett Metcalfe. In the second race, Capps took his revenge on MacKenzie with Tallon Vohland on a Kawasaki, riding well to split the pair. In the open series, race one went to Carl Nunn ahead of Honda riders Yoshitaka Atsuta, Honda and James Noble. The second race saw Irishman Gordon Crockard, the reigning champion, make his KTM debut in front of the British fans, beat Nunn and Paul Cooper in a race which saw Atsuta crash into the fence. In the Maxxis Cup, Cooper got the better of Jussi Vehvilainen and Crockard, with Nunn back in fourth. Their was disappointment for the local fans when Dartford's Martin Cuddy missed the cut for a place in the open-class line-up following the morning trial session.
MXlarge.com
Report by Bernd Dietrich (MXLarge.com)
A large crowd witnessed the British Championship kick off in Canada Heights. A race that saw five different race winners - on four different brands. At the end of the day Belgium´s Patrick Caps with a 2-1 result in the 125 class and Carl Nunn (Husqvarna) in the open category went home as series leaders.
Paul Cooper returned to the scene with a moto win for his new CAS Honda team.
British Championship, Round 1, Canada Heights, 10.03.2002
Gordon Crockard, the reigning Champ, made his KTM debut in front of the British race fans with a moto win, plus a third and fourth place finish in the open class. Crockard had raced his Austrian bike first last weekend in Ireland as part of his pre season shakedown, but yesterday saw him up against quality opposition.
A trio of slow starts limited Crockard's chances, as the Irishman was forced to fight his way through the field in all three races. Well, coming from behind is what "Crockstar" is famous for...
Under mainly dry and windy conditions - making the large downhill jumps extra difficult - Carl Nunn´s solid 1-2-4 result was good enough to claim the series lead for Husqvarna though, two points ahead of Crockard.
"I'm certainly not overjoyed, but I think I can be relatively happy with the way things have gone today," said Crockard. "I always knew it was going to be difficult to come here and win, but overall I feel I have put up a good performance and I haven't lost too much ground to Nunn in the championship race. As a team we are still working hard to get the bike dialled in to just how I like it. I even tested yesterday to be as best prepared as we could be today."
"Hopefully today's results have gone some way to repaying everyone's hard work to date. I have faith in the fact that if we keep making progress, we can be somewhere near the front all season."
The win at the superfinal belonged to Paul Cooper who continues to make progress after his long break from racing. "I had a good start and that was all the difference," Cooper said. "I knew I had to fight hard early and that was no problem. I was making good ground on Carl (Nunn), and then when he got caught with that back-marker I could get by. It's great to get last years bad luck out of the way and be in with a chance for the championship."
Japan´s Yoshitaka Atsuta, Cooper´s teammate at CAS Honda, had a mixed day. The wild-riding Japanese Champion started his campaign with a runner-up finish in the first open class Moto, but missed the top ten for the reminder of the day.
"I was in about tenth place in the first corner, then was able to move up to about fifth place very early," commented Yoshitaka on his race one. "The track is really fast, we don't have tracks like this in Japan, they are more technical. I had some trouble keeping up with Carl Nunn and didn't want to take any risks, so I settled for second place. I am disappointed though, I wanted to win."
On his crash in the final moto, Atsuta said "I was trying too hard and crashed into the fence. I bent my brakes and could not keep a good speed I just have to learn to slow down a little and be more consistent. It was lucky I did not hurt myself when Paul nearly hit me. I will do better next time."
Another Honda rider, Team RWJ´s James Noble, rode to a fine third place in the first open class moto. Noble, who had injured his wrist in practice, struggled in his next outing after staining his wrist again as the Honda bottomed out in a deep rut just before a jump.
"I could feel my wrist hurting, I thought that I would be able to ride on during the day but it was getting more painful, I had no swelling or bruising but found it hard to hold onto the bike. I didn't want to cause any more damage so I just had to take it easy throughout the race." admitted James later. Noble finished 11th and later had to call it a day. After seeking medical advise he was a non starter for the final Maxxis Cup race, opting instead to seek specialist medical attention at local hospital.
Teammate Mark Jones returned to action after breaking his foot four weeks ago, after only five days back on the bike he found the going tough and rode through the pain to take 10th, 15th and 24th positions. "It was maybe a little too soon to return to action but I felt that my condition was still pretty good although I am definitely lacking bike fitness," confessed Mark who as always tried his best in all his three races.
The 125 overall at Canada Heights belonged to Patrick Caps from Billy MacKenzie.
Gordon Crockard Report
courtesy of Jake Miller (G2F)
(via motocrossgrandprix.com)
Crockard scores his first KTM race win
Weather: Dull, cloudy with cold wind 10 c
Track: Mainly dry with some soft patches
Gordon Crockard made a solid showing on his first real competitive outing aboard his factory KTM 250, including notching up a race win as he battled to second place overall at the opening round of the 2002 domestic series. The reigning British Champion raced last weekend in Ireland as part of his pre season shakedown, but today saw Gordon up against quality opposition for the first time since he joined the Austrian based factory squad late last year. A trio of slow starts limited Crockard's chances, as the young Irishman was forced to fight his way through the field in all three races to record three solid results, while still adjusting to his new machine.
"I'm certainly not overjoyed, but I think I can be relatively happy with the way things have gone today. I always knew it was going to be difficult to come here and win, but overall I feel I have put up a good performance and I haven't lost too much ground to Nunn in the championship race. As a team we are still working hard to get the bike dialled in to just how I like it. I even tested yesterday to be as best prepared as we could be today. Hopefully today's results have gone some way to repaying everyone's hard work to date. I have faith in the fact that if we keep making progress, we can be somewhere near the front all season."
Third in qualifying, Gordon had a good pick of gates, but his advantage was short lived as he found himself outside the top ten as the pack rounded the first left hand turn. Typically Gordon begun to weave his way up the leader board, but was struck by misfortune as his bike temporarily lost power. With the problem having self cured, Gordon began his task again and was easily the fastest man on the track as he charged from 16th to 4th by the end of the race.
Race two was much the same story, but this time with no further setbacks other than a mid-pack start, Crockard showed his real class as he made rapid progress to close in on the leaders by the halfway point in the twenty five minute plus two lap race. Now looking at ease on his factory KTM Gordon chased down Nunn to challenge for the lead. Despite Nunn's best defensive efforts, Crockard hit the front with just over a lap remaining to score his first ever win for KTM.
Back in 22nd place at the end of the opening lap, Gordon on this occasion left himself with too much to do and despite a brave effort he had to settle for third place in the final moto to earn himself the runners-up spot overall, to give him a solid base from which to defend his domestic crown over the remaining seven rounds in the 2002 series.
Team CAS Honda Report
By of Geoff Meyer
CAS TEAM CONSISTENT
The opening round of the British Motocross championships, held at the Canada Heights Motocross circuit, in the South of England proved to be a good day for the CAS Honda team. In the opening race of the day Yoshi Atsuta making his British championship debut finished a brilliant second place behind Carl Nunn, while Paul Cooper and Jussi Vehvilainen claimed 7th and 9th places. In the second 250cc race it was Cooper who was the top CAS rider coming home in 3rd place, with Vehvilainen in 4th place and Atsuta 12th. In the Super-final Cooper took the win ahead of Vehvilainen in second place. Atsuta crashed again and, after damaging his brakes, slowed for 12th. place. After the opening round of the British Championships Cooper is in 3rd place in the series points, with Vehvilainen in 4th place, and Atsuta in 6th place. Series leader is Carl Nunn, with defending champion Gordon Crockard in second place.
250cc race one: Yoshi Atsuta claimed a top ten start coming out of the start gate, while Paul Cooper and Jussi Vehvilainen both had trouble off the concrete grid. Atsuta the Japanese Champion made quick progress, finally finishing in second place behind Carl Nunn. Vehvilainen finished in 7th place and Cooper in 9th position. Asuta was surprisingly not happy with his podium finish.
" I was in about tenth place in the first corner, then was able to move up to about fifth place very early. The track is really fast, we don't have tracks like this in Japan, they are more technical. I had some trouble keeping up with Carl Nunn and didn't want to take any risks, so I settled for second place. I am disappointed though, I wanted to win."
Jussi Vehvilainen was not impressed with the track conditions, although was happy to see the Canada Heights track was not soaking wet (as is often the case at in March).
"We are still working on the bike, looking for a good setting, I didn't have any problems, and I just need to get a good start. The track is very one line and you have trouble passing. At least the track is dry; it's nice for riding. I am a little disappointed with my finishing position."
Paul Cooper struggled on a track, which was not rough enough. The South African born rider also found the pace a little too hot as the race reached the later stages.
"I was not at the front into the first corner. I though I had a good reaction when the gate dropped, but got closed in going up the start straight. Nothing really happened in the race, I was able to fight with Jussi most of the moto, although Gordon (Crockard) passed me, and I couldn't keep his pace and had to let him go. The track is just not rough enough, it's too fast, and the bigger bikes have such an advantage in the start and on the fast sections of the track."
250cc race two: For the Cas team the second moto was another consistent effort as Cooper and Vehvilainen both finished inside the top five. Cooper claimed 3rd place and Vehvilainen in fourth place. Yoshi Atsuta crashed twice mid-race and finished well back in the pack in 12th position.
"It was much better," Cooper said. "I didn't have a great start, although I was able to pass some guy's, then Crockard and I had a good fight. We were able to catch Carl Nunn, but then I got tired and could not finish as strong as I would have liked."
"I didn't have a good start," Atsuta said. "I then crashed twice on the same lap and hit my head. It took me a while to get my head together and I just had to settle down and make the finish."
"We are still having some trouble with the settings," Vehvilainen said. "I felt my speed was good and I am confident I can race with the front guy's."
MAXXIS CUP: This time Cooper was in brilliant form, taking the lead after pulling back fast starting Carl Nunn. Vehvilainen gave the CAS team a great end to the day with second place, with Yoshi Atsuta in 11th place, while Neil Prince came home in 15th place, and 7th 125cc machine.
"I had a good start and that was all the difference," Cooper said. "I knew I had to fight hard early and that was no problem. I was making good ground on Carl (Nunn), and then when he got caught with that back-marker I could get by. It's great to get last year's bad luck out of the way and be in with a chance for the championship."
Vehvilainen was disappointed despite some consistent results: "I hurt my wrists a little on one of the jumps and had to slow down. We are still working on some settings for the bike and I am not that happy with my results today. I was able to keep a good speed for most of the day, although I still want to work on some things and be ready for the next round."
Atsuta crashed hard over a jump and was nearly ridden over by his CAS teammate Paul Cooper.
"I was trying too hard and crashed into the fence. I bent my brakes and could not keep a good speed I just have to learn to slow down a little and be more consistent. It was lucky I did not hurt myself when Paul nearly hit me. I will do better next time."
Team manager Harry Ainsworth was happy with the teams performance, although saw some problems: "Yoshi rode great, in the first moto he was a little wild at times, but used his head to finish in second place. The four-strokes are having a great time, it's so quick out there. I think Jussi fell to sleep a little in the middle of the first race, but finished well in the Superfinal. I can't complain about Paul's riding today, he has not ridden for so long and he will do better as the season gets underway. You could see as each race went by his speed improved."
125cc race one: Neil Prince was the only CAS rider in the 125cc race and finished in 19th place after a crash early in the race.
"I had a fight with Brett Metcalfe and he rode me into a pole at the side of the track," Prince said. "I got up and was doing okay, but I broke my radiator cover in the crash and had to stop to fix it. If you're back in the pack on this track you really have to take risks, there is no places to pass."
125cc race two: Prince did much better in the second moto for the 125cc machines. Staying out of trouble early he found a good rhythm.
"I rode much better in this race and could finish in 8th place. My speed was better and I could race okay. I needed to get the start though and that didn't happen."
RWJ Team Report
from Ray Archer
RWJ Honda's new 2002 signing, James Noble got off to a great start at the opening round of the British Motocross Championship staged at Canada Heights, Swanley, Kent on Sunday. The young Yorkshire man, from Whitby took 3rd place in the opening moto following home Carl Nunn and former multi Japanese champion Yoshitaka Atsuka after a strong race. Noble powered his Honda 450F out of the up hill start for the perfect start, he looked confident throughout the 14 lap race despite having twisted his wrist in practice.
The spectacular Canada Heights circuit attracted its usual large crowd, but dry windy conditions made for some difficult riding especially over the larger downhill jumps. Noble was to struggle in his next outing after staining his wrist again as the Honda bottomed out in a deep rut just before jump. " I could feel my wrist hurting, I thought that I would be able to ride on during the day but it was getting more painful, I had no swelling or bruising but found it hard to hold onto the bike, I didn't want to cause any more damage so I just had to take it easy throughout the race. " admitted James later, he struggled to finish and was in 11th place in this, his second and to be final outing of the day.
After seeking medical advise he was a non starter for the final Maxxis Cup race, opting instead to seek specialist medical attention at local hospital.
Mark Jones returned to action after breaking his foot four weeks ago, after only five days back on the bike he found the going tough and rode through the pain to take 10th, 15th and 24th positions. " It was maybe a little too soon to return to action but I felt that my condition was still pretty good although I am definitely lacking bike fitness, " confessed Mark who as always tried his best in all his three races.
With a poor pick off the start gate, Mark Jones had to come from the far right of the start gate, a long drag to turn one, " I had a really poor gate, 23rd or 24th I had a terrible start but could only ride around, it wasn't possible to make any real progress from such a long way but so I was happy with 10th place " said Jones who knew exactly what he had to do in race two.
Mark rocketed out of the start, one of the fist bikes up the hill and around the tight left hander, side by side with Glen Phillips, Jones was dropped in to 2nd place for the opening lap, he looked comfortable and confident before being hit by Carl Nunn and fell off the bike. " I can't understand why Nunn did that, he just 'T' boned me from nowhere, there was no need for that. I was knocked off the bike and lucky that I could manage to get back into the race and salvage a couple of points, I thought I had turned the day around until he hit me " said a angry Jones.
Hoping for a repeat start performance in the final race Jones gassed it off the concrete start line, but instead of getting traction he spun the rear wheel in the sand and lost all drive. " I managed to come around the outside but then I was boxed in at the next turn and had nowhere to go but I found a hole and made gap ! "
Jones came up to a jump only to find another rider fallen right in his wheel tracks, " I think it was Adam Lyon who had fallen, my bike hit his and I crashed. I remounted 33rd but I knew than if I could score even a single point it would be a miracle." Jones finished 24th to end a miserable day.
Another young rider in the RWJ Honda squad for 2002 is Scotsman, Stuart Flockhart, the team's third rider out on the four stroke 450 F machine. Stuart put in a couple of good performances but an error of judgement cost him a good overall position " I was riding well and go up to 5th position but I was caught off balance in a deep rut and crashed, luckily I could still fight back and made my way back to 10th only to over jump the bomb hole and collide with the fence, I finished 19th. I know that you can't afford to make stupid mistakes like this, not is you are looking for a good number at the end of the season. " said Flockhart after the race.
The lanky Scotsman who started to shine late last season is the first to admit that he has a lot to learn but again in race two he made another good start, inside top ten from the start gate dropping, he battled way through to 5th. " Maybe could have taken a top 3 position, but I rode a little more cautiously, not wanting to throw it away again." Said Flockhart adding " I was happy with that, I was following Cooper and Vehvilainen, who I knew would be very difficult to pass, I know you can often learn more about riding behind these guys than trying to race with them. They were faster and there will always be a next time when I could put the lines Iearnt from them to better use. "
Trying to put that knowledge to some use in Maxxis Cup race, Stuart tried hard to get by Jason Higgs and take fifth place " He was desperate to hold onto his position, I had made it by Glen Phillips but Higgs was a different kettle of fish. I held on to 6th and given 8th overall, I feel reasonably happy with the day, first open class bike in the last two races, so feeling positive about the new bike, four stroke power, new RWJ team set up and new mechanic Keith Thorpe." Said Flockhart. " I am looking forward to next rounds, I knew it would be hard to repeat the podium finish that I had at Hawkstone Park International a few weeks ago, you can always hope, anything less than that was always going to be a disappointment today."
ASHCANS BRITISH MX DEBUT!!!
Round 1 of the British 125 cc MX championship was held today at Canada Heights, Kent. Canada Heights is quite a demanding, hilly track with many varying conditions as far as track surfaces are concerned, which were set to test the riders.
Race One saw Ashkenazi get off to an absolutely chronic startrounding the first corner in 2nd last (39th ). After putting his head down and charging as hard as he could, he ended the first 25 min + 2 lap moto in 11th position, however a little dejected.
Race Two saw Ashkenazi get off to a better start rounding the first corner in 12th position and after making a good start unfortunately could only get back to 8th position as the track was proving to be still quite smooth and fast which tended to make the track quite one lined.
Race Three saw something new for Ashkenazi as the British Championship runs a Super Cup race with the top 20 125cc scorers and top 20 250cc scorers competing together in the final moto. Ashkenazi got off to a respectable start in roughly 12th position into the first corner, and was charging hard all moto long on a continuing roughing track more suited to Ashkenazis style. However as luck may have it a bracket broke leaving a gaping hole in the exhaust pipe therefore forcing Ashkenazi to DNF what was surely to be his best ride of the day. So all in all not a fantastic start to the British Championship but a good solid performance all the same.
Closing Comments from Ashkenazi
I am not overly disappointed with the day itself except for of course the mechanical failure in the last race. My speed is getting better and better in every race, my fitness is really good, and bike is quite strong. I just need to be patient and let the races come to me. As for sure, the 3 year lay off from MX has to be considered. It wont happen overnight, but it will happen!! My focus of course is to do the best I can in the British MX championship, however my main objective is to get my best results and gain experience to put into play in the world championship and the world championship races that are to come.
PODIUM FOR VOHLAND
BRITISH MX CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND ONE CANADA HEIGHTS, KENT
M J Church Kawasaki rider Tallon Vohland stepped onto the podium at Round One of the British Championship taking third overall after a satisfying day for the HM Plant backed Team.
The American qualified in second position behind Belgium Patrick Caps and ahead of Tom Church.
The first heat of the Championship saw the Kawasaki rider get off to a good start, and after a manic first corner Vohland appeared in second behind Stephen Sword. The pair quickly pulled away from the rest of the pack and Vohland took to the front on lap 2, only to wipe out on lap 3. Sword also suffered misfortune 2 corners later and was forced to retire handing Billy Mackenzie the lead.
Vohland was now back in 11 behind Tom Church, and once again began his charge through the pack, he fought his way through to 8 position, but disaster struck again, with only three laps remaining when a backmarker moved in front of the Kawasaki, the two riders collided and Vohlands bike crashed over the fence, he remounted once more in 20 place and ended heat one in 14 position, setting the fastest lap time some two seconds faster than any other rider.
Team Boss Mike Church commented "Tallon is really fast at the moment, he made a silly mistake early on which probably cost him the win, however he is fine and after the second incident we are just glad that everyone is ok"
The M J Church Kawasaki Rider was left bruised and battered after heat one but was eager to claim a better result in the second heat, a bad start left the 29 year old back in mid pack, he fought through well on lap one, but collided with another rider, he restarted back in mid pack and with only one glove began to charge once more, this time the Kawasaki rider was on a mission and showed fantastic riding skills as he took second position on the last lap from Billy Mackenzie, the race was won by Patrick Caps who lead from the start.
The final race of the day sees the top 20 open class and the top 20 125 riders go head to head, the Kawasaki again gated well in around 15 position and fourth 125, quickly passing through the pack Vohland was soon into ninth place.
After a four lap battle with Yoshitaka Atsuta he finally made a pass stick on the Japanese rider and Vohland began to pull away, but was passed a few laps later by flying Finnish rider Annti Kallonen. Vohland finished up in ninth position claiming third overall on the day and in the championship.
Vohlands team mate Darryl Atkins also suffered misfortune throughout the day, crashing early in heat one the Kiwi rider was some 30 seconds behind the pack when he got going, and unable to make an impression claiming only 27 position, heat two saw a similar story, but the Kawasaki rider showed good speed and stamina in his come back ride, and after some more testing and training should be back up to speed for the M J Church Teams next race in two weeks at Round One of the World Championships in Valkenswaard Holland.
Mike Church said on the days racing "I am pleased with the result, we have made a lot of progress over the last few weeks and Tallon proved today that he is riding well and he is fast, we are lying third in the championship which is great"
Yamaha Dixon Racing Team Report - courtesy of Ray Archer
(via MX247.com)
MacKenzie Just Misses Out On The Win
Billy MacKenzie narrowly missed out on the overall win at the opening round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship on Sunday - the young Scotsman was beaten by Belgian Patrick Caps by only a single point. MacKenzie took a comfortable win in race one, just lost out on 2nd position in race two and made a great recovery after a third race start spill to come back to 12th.
As MacKenzie lined up for the opening 125cc moto at the Canada Heights circuit near Swanley in Kent, he made a good reaction on the concrete start gate, as he powered into 4th at turn one. "I was a struggling to get by McCullough early on but then moved to third, Vohland had a big crash in front of me and then Sword's clutch went, so I moved up and took over the lead," said Billy, who just wanted to be smooth throughout the race. "So often I have lost my head and crashed, I took things easy and held onto the lead. I had a lot of arm pump in the middle of the race, I think due to nerves, but I was still in a good position to keep Caps behind me until the flag."
With a race win to his credit, Billy was looking for a repeat performance in race two. "I made a better start and was 3rd but managed to get through to second by the end of the opening lap," said Billy. "Caps was in front but I tried it on during the first four laps to find a way around him, but he was riding fast. I knew that he's not going to be here for the full championship so I just stayed with him watching his line." Billy was a little too relaxed as American Tallon Vohland put on a late charge and caught him up with only two laps to go. "I made a mistake by getting too close to a lapped rider, he put me off my line and this gave Vohland a chanced to close. He took a big dive down the outside through the deep ruts, and took 2nd position. It was a lapse of concentration on my part, I should have been a little more aggressive and been prepared for a late attack from him," added Billy, who knew he had left it too late to come back at him.
As the final Maxxis Cup race got underway, Billy took the inside at turn one just as Matt Winstanley cut across his path. "I was trying to figure what was going on. At the last race at Hawkstone, the 500cc bikes started with a handicap, I wasn't expecting them to come thundering around the outside. Winstanley went down just as I hit his rear wheel, I crashed too," confessed MacKenzie.
Starting in last position, Billy put in one of his best rides ever and soon caught and passed Caps. " I was working very hard and had some very fast lines down the hills. I was carrying a lot of speed, Caps still passed me back but I was making my time launching the bike off the hills, the suspension was working really well," admitted Billy, adding, "We have done a lot of work on the engine and suspension setup and on today's ride and results we should all be very happy."
New to the Yamaha Dixon Team line-up for 2002 is Jason Higgs. Having raced a few supercross events over the winter, Jason is now back competing at championship level for Yamaha. "I came here to the opening race not knowing what to expect. I set myself a goal of three top ten finishes to give an overall top ten finish. I was a little disappointed in race one that I finished 11th having been out-jumped on the very last lap by Mark Jones. He was riding well and caught me up by 3 or 4 seconds."
Jason was riding in 8th position throughout race two. "I felt comfortable at a speed which I didn't want to make any mistakes. I was hit in the face by a rock from the rear wheel of Hucklebridge, but other than that is was an uneventful race. I was happy with the power of my Yamaha, I felt it was as quick in places as the four stroke, my clutch was slipping a little but that didn't affect my position," said Higgs, who was saving his best result until the final moto.
During the 14 lap Maxxis Cup Race, Higgs moved up passing a handful of riders into 5th position. "I got by Phillips who got the holeshot, and then Flockhart, who started to come back at me towards the end of the race. I am very happy with fifth but looking back I know I could have tried a lot harder. I never scared myself once, so I know I could go better !. Still I got 6th overall, got the first round out of the way, so I know what the expect and work for at the next race," said Jason.
Team Manager Steve Dixon said, "We came here with the hope of taking a top five position with three consistent ride. This was a strong line-up including Caps, Vohland and Sword, but I feel Billy rode very well and was unlucky to miss out on winning the overall, losing it to Caps by just a single point. The opening race was perfect. Billy was in a strong position when he was given the lead. With arm pump, he still rode confidently to take an easy win. His second outing could have gone better, he lost 2nd place to Vohland on the last lap, but again he looked consistent and rode well despite suffering with shin cramps due to over-training. Finally, in the last race when everyone's fitness is starting to show, he came from last position to 12th, so we are all very pleased with the training and hard work he has put in during the winter months. Overall, I am happy, Billy is certainly on the pace of Caps and the other guys, I'm not too worried about Caps, he will only contest three rounds wheras we want to take to the podium at the full series and be there to take the championship."
Published: Thursday, 14 March 2002, 12:20 PM
British Motocross Champs Rd 1:- Maximum strength
by GRAHAM MILNE (TMX)
Canada Heights, the fantastic GP-styled motocross circuit near Swanley, in Kent, had probably been the driest place in the country during the previous week, prior to the opening round of the 2002 Maxxis British Motocross Championships at the weekend.
There was dust - and a high, biting wind which caused the 5,000 spectators to snuggle in with their loved ones to watch some of the closest, fastest and most exciting racing seen in a British championship meeting for many years - especially in the mega fast and keenly fought Open class competitions.
Riders in new teams including reigning British champ Gordon Crockard, now in with the factory KTM squad, eight 'Wild card' entrants, champions just out of the Youth classes, and even some enduro riders, all made their way to just inside the south east corner of the M25 for the start of the new domestic championship season.
Millennium KTM pilot Patrick Caps came, saw, and conquered the 125cc class at the recent Hawkstone International motocross event and thought he'd like to come back and have another go at 'doing' the British boys on their home soil.
This he did with a second spot and a race win in the 125cc class duels and a 13th place in the mixed capacity Maxxis Cup race, taking the overall honours just one point ahead of Billy MacKenzie in runner-up spot and the irrepressible American Tallon Vohland in third.
The very entertaining Open class was won by Carl Nunn, the young man who led the 2000 class championship from the first round until the last race, only to lose his grip on the crown to Ulsterman Gordon Crockard - and Crock again trails the Motorex Husqvarna rider into the next round of the championship at the beginning of a new season.
Crockard equalled Nunn's first race win when he took the honours in the second outing but still came up two points short of his rival in the overall standings and had to be content with the runner-up slot at the end of the day.
A triumphant return to form, racing after seven months absence due to a major knee re-build, saw Paul Cooper on a new machine (250 CAS Honda) and a major improvement in scores during the day which was capped by an impressive Maxxis Cup race win.
MacKenzie Just Misses Out On The Win
Billy MacKenzie narrowly missed out on the overall win at the opening round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship on Sunday, the young Scots man was beaten by Belgian Patrick caps by only a single point. MacKenzie took a comfortable win in race one, just lost out on 2nd position in race two and made a great recovery after a third race start spill to come back to 12th.
As MacKenzie lined up for the opening 125cc moto at the Canada Heights circuit near Swanley in Kent, he made a good reaction on the concrete start gate, as he powered into 4th at turn one. " I was a struggling to get by McCullough early on but then moved to third, Vohland had a big crash in front of me and then Sword's clutch went, so I moved up and took over the lead. " said Billy, who just wanted to be smooth throughout the race. " So often I have lost my head and crashed, I took things easy and held onto the lead, I had a lot of arm pump in the middle of the race, I think due to nerves, but I was still in a good position to keep Caps behind me until the flag."
With a race win to his credit, Billy was looking for a repeat performance in race two, " I made a better start and was 3rd but managed to get through to second by the end of the opening lap." said Billy, " Caps was in front but I tried it on during the first four laps to find a way around him, but he was riding fast. I knew that he's not going to be here for the full championship so I just stayed with him watching his line." Billy was a little too relaxed as American Tallon put on a late charge and caught hi up with only two laps to go. "I made a mistake by getting too close to a lapped rider, he put me off my line and this gave Vohland a chanced to close, he took a big dive down the outside through the deep ruts, and took 2nd position. It was a lapse of concentration on my part, I should have been a little more aggressive and been prepared for a late attack from him. " added Billy who knew he had left it too late to come back at him.
As the final Maxxis Cup race got underway, Billy took the inside at turn one just as Winstanley cut across his path. " I was trying figure what was going on, at the last race at Hawkstone the 500cc bikes started with a handicap, I wasn't expecting them to come thundering around the outside, Winstanley when down just as I hit his rear wheel, I crashed too." confessed McKenzie.
Starting in last position, Billy put in one of his best rides ever and soon caught and passed Caps. " I was working very hard and had some very fast lines down the hills, I was carrying a lot of speed, Caps still passed me back but I was making my time launching the bike off the hills, the suspension was working really well. " admitted Billy adding " we have done a lot of work on the engine and suspension set up and on today's ride and results we should all be very happy."
New to the Yamaha Dixon Team line for 2002 is Jason Higgs, having raced a few supercross events over the winter, Jason is now back competing at championship level for Yamaha. " I came here to the opening race not knowing what to expect, I set myself a goal of three top ten finishes to give a overall top ten finish. I was a little disappointed in race one that I finished 11th having been out jumped on the very last lap by Mark Jones, he was riding well and caught me up by 3 or 4 seconds. "
Jason was riding in 8th position throughout race two, " I felt comfortable at a speed which I didn't want to make any mistake, I was hit in the face by a rock from the rear wheel of Hucklebridge, but other than that is was an uneventful race. I was happy with the power of my Yamaha, I felt it was as quick in places as the fours stroke, my clutch was slipping a little but that didn't affect my position. " said Higgs who was saving his best results until the final moto.
During the 14 lap Maxxis Cup Race, Higgs moved up passing a handful of riders into 5th position, " I got by Phillips who got the hole shot and then Flockhart, who started to come back at me towards the end of the race. Very happy with fifth but looking back I know I could have tried a lot hard, I never scared myself one, so I know I could go better !. Still I got 6th overall, got the first round out of the way so I know what the expect and work for at the next race." Said Jason.
Team Manager Steve Dixon said " We came here with the hope of taking a top five position with three consistent ride, this was a strong line up including Caps, Vohland, Sword, but I feel Billy rode very well and was unlucky to miss out on winning the overall, losing it to Caps by just a single point. The opening race was perfect, Billy was in a strong position when he was given the lead, with arm pump, he still rode confident to take an easy win after. His second outing could have gone better, he lost 2nd place to Vohland on the last lap but again he looked consistent and rode well despite suffering with shin cramps due to over training. Finally, in the last race when everyone's fitness is starting to show, he came from last position to 12th, so we are all very pleased with the training and hard work he has put in during the winter months. Overall, I am happy, Billy is certainly on the pace of Caps and the other guys, I'm not too worried about Caps, he will only contest three round were as we want to take to the podium at the full series and be there to take the championship."
Nunn victorious in first round of the British Championships at Canada Heights
(via motograndprix.com)
Carl Nunn started the 2002 British Motocross Championships in the best way possible by taking the overall win at Canada Heights in the first round of the Open series last weekend.
Nunn, riding a factory 250 Husqvarna, grabbed a moto win, a second position and then ended the day with fourth spot in the Superfinal to head the standings. The 22 year old leads reigning Champion Gordon Crockard who assumes runner-up status after a 4-1-3 score. The Irishman´s second moto win represented his first success on the new factory KTM 250 in only his first competitive meeting of the pre-season calendar.
´I´m certainly not overjoyed, but I think I can be relatively happy with the way things have gone today´, admitted the 23 year old.´I always knew it was going to be difficult to come here and win, but overall I feel I have put up a good performance and I haven`t lost too much ground to Nunn in the Championship race. As a team we are still working hard to get the bike ´dialled in` to just how I like it. I even tested yesterday to be as best prepared as we could be today.
New CAS 250 Honda recruit Paul Cooper was the best of the Honda trio at Canada Heights. The Brit captured a ninth, third and then a victory in the final moto of the meeting to place third overall. Fellow team-mates Jussi Vehvilainen and Yoshitaka Atsuta figured in the leading group with the former gaining 7-4-2 and Atsuta claiming a highest rank of second in the opening race. The only other rider to climb into the podium throughout the day was James Noble who took his new Honda four-stoke to third behind Atsuta in Moto1.
Billy Mackenzie guided his Yamaha UK machine to first and third in the two 125cc races, but Patrick Caps, riding a Millenium KTM, secured a 2-1 result to lead the points table. Tallon Vohland and Brett Metcalfe also made appearances in the top three.
The New Zealand Perspective
(via silver-bullet.co.nz)
The M J Church Kawasaki rider, Tallon Vohland stepped onto the podium at Round 1 of the British Championship taking third overall after a satisfying day for the HM Plant backed team.
Vohlands teammate Darryl Atkins, suffered misfortune throughout the day. Crashing early in heat one the Kiwi rider was some 30 seconds behind the pack when he got going, and was unable to make an impression claiming only 27th position.
Heat two saw a similar story, but the Kawasaki rider showed good speed and stamina in his come back ride. After some more testing and training he should be back up to speed for the M J Church Team`s next race in two weeks at round one of the World Championships in Valkenswaard, Holland.
Bott Motovison Report
(from their website)
The Canada Heights track was dry and very fast. Both Tom and Kim were suffering from poor starts. In race 1 Tom came through the pack to finish 5th and Kim had a frustrating race to finish 11th. In the second race Kim had a better first lap and lay 11th in the early stages, meanwhile Tom was down in 24th place. Again both riders worked hard and made their way up the field for Kim to finish 7th and Tom 9th. The final race combined with the top 20 open class riders proved to be a disappointment for both riders, Tom collided with another rider and bent the gear lever which left him stuck in 5th gear, Kim suffered a damaged exhaust from a collision with another rider.
CAS team consistent
(via Honda UK)
The opening round of the British Motocross championships, held at the Canada Heights Motocross circuit, in the South of England proved to be a good day for the CAS Honda team.
In the opening race of the day Yoshi Atsuta making his British championship debut finished a brilliant second place behind Carl Nunn, while Paul Cooper and Jussi Vehvilainen claimed 7th and 9th places. In the second 250cc race it was Cooper who was the top CAS rider coming home in 3rd place, with Vehvilainen in 4th place and Atsuta 12th place. In the Super-final Cooper took the win ahead of Vehvilainen in 2nd Place. Atsuta crashed again, and after damaging his brakes slowed for 12th place. After the opening round of the British championships Cooper is in 3rd place in the series points, with Vehvilainen in 4th place, and Atsuta in 6th place. Series leader is Carl Nunn, with defending champion Gordon Crockard in second place.
250cc race one:
Yoshi Atsuta claimed a top ten start coming out of the start gate, while Paul Cooper and Jussi Vehvilainen both had trouble off the concrete grid. Atsuta the Japanese champion made quick progress, finally finishing in second place behind Carl Nunn. Vehvilainen finished in 7th place and Cooper in 9th position. Asuta was surprisingly not happy with his podium finish. ”I was in about tenth place in the first corner, then was able to move up to about fifth place very early. The track is really fast, we don’t have tracks like this in Japan, they are more technical. I had some trouble keeping up with Carl Nunn and didn’t want to take any risks, so I settled for second place. I am disappointed though, I wanted to win.”
Jussi Vehvilainen was not impressed with the track conditions, although was happy to see the Canada Heights track was not soaking wet (as is often the case at in March). “We are still working on the bike, looking for a good setting, I didn’t have any problems, and I just need to get a good start, the track is very one line and you have trouble passing. At least the track is dry; it’s nice for riding. I am a little disappointed with my finishing position.
Paul Cooper struggled on a track, which was not rough enough. The South African born rider also found the pace a little too hot as the race reached the later stages.
“I was not at the front into the first corner. I though I had a good reaction when the gate dropped, but got closed in going up the start straight. Nothing really happen in the race, I was able to fight with Jussi most of the moto, although Gordon (Crockard) passed me, and I couldn’t keep his pace and had to let him go. The track is just not rough enough, it’s too fast, and the bigger bikes have such an advantage in the start and on the fast sections of the track.”
250cc race two:
For the Cas team the second moto was another consistent effort as Cooper and Vehvilainen both finished inside the top five. Cooper claimed 3rd place and Vehvilainen in fourth place. Yoshi Atsuta crashed twice mid-race and finished well back in the pack in 12th position.
“It was much better,” Cooper said. “I didn’t have a great start, although I was able to pass some guy’s, then Crockard and I had a good fight. We were able to catch Carl Nunn, but then I got tired and could not finish as strong as I would have liked.”
“I didn’t have a good start,” Atsuta said. “I then crashed twice on the same lap and hit my head. It took me a while to get my head together and I just had to settle down and make the finish.”
“We are still having some trouble with the settings,” Vehvilainen said. “I felt my speed was good and I am confidant I can race with the front guy’s.”
Maxxis Cup:
This time Cooper was in brilliant form, taking the lead after pulling back fast starting Carl Nunn. Vehvilainen gave the CAS team a great end to the day with second place, with Yoshi Atsuta in 11th place, whileNeil Prince came home in 15th place, and 7th 125cc machine.
“I had a good start and that was all the difference,” Cooper said. “I knew I had to fight hard early and that was no problem. I was making good ground on Carl (Nunn), and then when he got caught with that back-marker I could get by. It’s great to get last years bad luck out of the way and be in with a chance for the championship.”
Vehvilainen was disappointed despite some consistent results.
“I hurt my wrists a little on one of the jumps and had to slow down. We are still working on some settings for the bike and I am not that happy with my results today. I was able to keep a good speed for most of the day, although I still want to work on some things and be ready for the next round.”
Atsuta crashed hard over a jump and was nearly ridden over by his CAS teammate Paul Cooper.
“I was trying too hard and crashed into the fence. I bent my brakes and could not keep a good speed I just have to learn to slow down a little and be more consistent. It was lucky I did not hurt myself when Paul nearly hit me. I will do better next time.”
Team manager Harry Ainsworth was happy with the teams performance, although saw some problems.
“Yoshi rode great, in the first moto he was a little wild at times, but used his head to finish in second place. The four-strokes are having a great time, it’s so quick out there. I think Jussi fell to sleep a little in the middle of the first race, but finished well in the Superfinal. I can’t complain about Paul’s riding today, he has not ridden for so long and he will do better as the season gets underway. You could see as each race went by his speed improved.”
125cc race one:
Neil Prince was the only CAS rider in the 125cc race and finished in 19th place after a crash early in the race.
“I had a fight with Brett Metcalfe and he rode me into a pole at the side of the track,” Prince said. “I got up and was doing okay, but I broke my radiator cover in the crash and had to stop to fix it. If you're back in the pack on this track you really have to take risks, there is no places to pass.”
125cc race two:
Prince did much better in the second moto for the 125cc machines. Staying out of trouble early he found a good rhythm.
“I rode much better in this race and could finish in 8th place. My speed was better and I could race okay. I needed to get the start though and that didn’t happen.”
Race Preview
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From the News Shopper.
By Kevin Impey
Reach new Heights of sporting pleasure
Top line off-road racing returns to Canada Heights, in Swanley this Sunday, when the Sidcup & DMCC hosts the first round of this year's British Solo Moto-Cross Championship.
Nail-biting action is guaranteed, because all the riders recently signed by the various teams will be on show for the first time and expected to prove their worth.
Because Canada Heights is easily reached by motorway by visitors from the continent, the track is a favourite with many continental riders and, as usual, some outstanding wild card entries will be competing.
The track is the FIM homologated version used in the recent Grand Prix, and members of the Sidcup club will use their vast experience of big-race days to ensure that all trackside maintenance and bad weather provision are catered for.
Stephen Sword is the man to watch for in the 125cc class, but he will be under strong pressure from riders from home and abroad, while a number of international moto-cross stars have taken advantage of a ruling which allows foreign riders to compete, provided they sign up for the whole series.
They include American Tallon Vohland, who is riding for the Church Kawasaki team, and New Zealander Darryl Atkins.
In the open class, Ireland's Gordon Crockard, last year's champion, will be looking to maintain his top form, but a number of very experienced and determined contenders are sitting on his back wheel looking for any opportunity.
The CAS Honda team will be piling on the pressure with a trio of heavyweight riders South African Paul Cooper, Finland's Jussi Vehilainen and probably the most interesting rider for British fans, Yoshitaka Atsuta, last year's 250 champion in the Japanese series.
As usual at Canada Heights, a whole host of wild card riders will be hoping to upset the formbook.
In the open class, Marc Fraikin of Belgium, riding a 520 KTM, a world championship contender in last year's 125 series, another South African Colin Dugmore who was placed 10th in last year's world title, Belgium's Sven Breugelmans, the Suzuki works rider and Bend Echenbach, another KTM team member from German, will all be in contention.
The 125 wild cards are: from Team Millennium KTM, Patrick Caps (Belgium), Brett Metcalfe (Australia) and Marko Dorsch (Germany) representing the PSM KTM team is Julien Bill travelling from Switzerland.
Entry to Canada Heights, which is well signposted, is situated in Button Street, just off the M2/M25 intersection at Swanley. Tickets are £12 per person, with under-14s free but only if accompanied by an adult; concessions at half-price.
Gates will be open in time for practice at 9.15am, with the first race starting at 12.15pm.
For the disabled there is specific near-track parking but you need to arrange this in advance by calling the secretary of the meeting, Marge Clarke, on 01634 201268.
More Information
For more information on the whole British motocross championship series go to MXGB.info