OF3 British MX Multichampionships 2004

Sunday 26th September 2004

Final round of the OF3 British Multi-championship, consisting of the Roberts Plant British Fourstroke Championship, the Maximum Solutions British Sidecarcross Championship and the Ray Hockey Racing British Under-21 Championship

Results

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Photos

SE3MX.co.uk has an extensive photo gallery here

Reflex Digital Photography were producing event photos

MX247.com has a selction of photos by Chris Helm here

Reports

Chris Helm Report (via MX247.com)

With the weather conditions nearly perfect on this late summer Sunday afternoon and the track prepared to the normal high standards we have come to expect from the Sidcup club the final round of the 2004 Maximum Solutions British Sidecarcross Championships took place at Canada Heights today. A very respectable crowd turned out to see if Stuart Brown could win his third championship title with stand in passenger, Jason Peters. Also they were keen to see if John & Mark Watson would be able to secure second place following the injury to Mark’s knee last weekend in Germany. Further down the list there was a three-way battle for the Centriplant four-stroke championship between Paul Pelling, Jamie Stevens and Steve Peters.

With the Watson boys not 100% Brown / Peters topped timed practice by a mile, being nearly six seconds ahead of the Watsons with Lyne / Dunkley 3rd and Guilford / Keane 4th. Unfortunately for Mark Millard’s two boys, Daniel and Joe, they hit a slower rider and Daniel was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm – this was later confirmed as not the case.

Race one started right on time at 2 pm and was led into the first corner by Brown / Peters from Guilford, Wilkinson & Lyne. The Watsons had started at a more sedate pace to keep clear of trouble and were down in eighth place. By the end of lap two Brown had opened up a lead of over ten seconds whilst Wilkinson had already displaced Guilford and Watson was up to fifth.

Guilford was obviously not keen on swallowing the dust from Wilkinson’s back wheel so on lap six he made his move and was back up to second. With just over five minutes left Lyne pulled into the working area with a failing clutch and was unable to rejoin the race. This lifted Watson up to fourth. Such was Brown’s pace at the front he now had a lead of over 30 seconds and had lapped everyone up to fourth place. On the final lap of the race Wilkinson made his move and pipped Guilford for second place.

The win gave Brown the championship and by finishing fourth Watson secured the runners up position meaning they did not have to compete in race 2.

Brown led race 2 into the first corner from Wilkinson, Guilford and young Jamie Stevens and his passenger, Stuart Dance, in fourth. Lyne started outside the top 10 but was soon up to fourth place and closing on Guilford. At the front Brown was once again opening up a big gap whilst Wilkinson was safe in second. With two laps to go Lyne finally took Guilford and went on to finish third. Once again Brown lapped everyone up to fourth place and won by well over one minute.

The top three in the championship were Brown / Peters (As per the rules Jason should be the champion passenger by virtue of having scored more points than younger brother Luke but he seemed very keen for Luke to be the champion. – Something for the motocross committee to sort out) second were the Watsons and in third place Wilkinson / Burt. In his final race on a sidecar Steve Peters with his passenger Craig Burt, won the Centriplant four stroke title.

JLR Racing Report

Lyne finishes on a high at British Championship

John Lyne’s hugely eventful 2004 season finished with a smile when the resolute sidecar-cross driver climbed onto the rostrum at the second race of the final British Championship round at Canada Heights near Swanley in Kent.

When a clutch failure forced him to pull out whilst well placed in Race One, it looked for Lyne – this time riding with Colin Dunkley – as if his bumpy year was going to get the better of him, but whether they be plain obstinate or just hell bent on proving their potential, the JLR Racing team worked furiously between races and were rewarded second time out with an excellent third place finish.

Lyne should actually have been racing at the final round of the French Championships in Gueugnon, but following the recent retirement of his passenger Ian Beavis, the Federation Francaise refused entry to a new competitor without the appropriate European licence.  Instead, at short notice, Lyne teamed up with Colin Dunkley – having recently been partnered by David Keane – to prove one or two doubters wrong, that with the right set up, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Pre Event Press Release

By Brian Edwards (Press Officer) Sidcup & DMCC

FINAL SHOWDOWN AT "CANADA HEIGHTS"

Fans will get a second chance to enjoy major Motocross at the South's spectacular "Canada Heights" course this year when the OF3 Triple Header British Motocross Championship hits the popular Kentish circuit on Sunday the 26th of September.

For those not familiar with the series it features the finest four-stroke riders in the country on the same bill as the amazing sidecar riders and passengers as well as the talented under 21's who are our stars of the future.

The organising Sidcup & Dist MCC are extremely pleased at being offered another major British Championship round this season and feel the OF3 and its exciting mix of machinery and riders as not only another wonderful opportunity to promote our amazing sport, but also a great chance for the fans to watch motocross at its very best on one of the countries finest circuits.

The series has been fortunate to attract sponsorship from OF3 - an International sports clothing company - Ray Hockey Racing, Roberts Plant and Maximum Solutions who will be supporting all the individual classes for the entire season. The sport is eternally grateful for their enthusiasm an involvement. The Sidcup Club would also like to thank the News Shopper for its considerable support at its round.

From the word "Go" the series has really been electric and despite one or two competitors gaining a slight edge after five rounds, the classes could not be closer and the eventual outcome could go right down to the wire at the final round at the sensational "Canada Heights" course.

At the time of writing with the Northamptonshire course at Milton Malsor still to go before the final Kentish round Team Bike sports Graeme Gowland maintains a respectable 33 point advantage in the RHR under 21 Championship. His position is challenged by Lewis Gregory who appears to be the only man to possibly deny him the crown and has put pressure on him all season. Richard Fitch is someway off in third spot.

With 20 points to be gained for a win you only have to have an off day, or a fall to lose what seems like a safe advantage and in Motocross until the final flag drops its anybodies Championship.

Defending Champion David Campbell has shown that he has lost none of his old form and leads the thundering Roberts Plant four-stroke Championship with a 17 point comfort zone over Brad Anderson. At the last Blaxhall Pits round the wily old fox settled for two secure second places while riding with an injured ankle.

Despite second place man Brad Andersons 33 point advantage over both Jonathan Pettitt and Jody Smyth - who share equal pegging on 109 - none of them can relax as the outcome is far from certain.

Campbell's main rival Brad Anderson took the opening race win at Blaxhall, but fortunately for him limped home in a lowly 16th place with a sick engine in the second. Jody Smyth - spoiling for a battle all season - did his Championship aspirations a power of good by posting a strong fourth place in the first race and beating Campbell to the chequered flag in the second and now sits on level pegging with Jonathan Pettit in third place.

After a rocky start to the season defending Sidecar Champions - and World series competitors Stuart Brown and Luke Peters - appeared to be back on track, however after a monumental crash at the Bulgarian GP Luke Peters has been left with a badly broken leg and will be out of action for the rest of the year.

His place has been filled by his brother Jason - also a very experienced passenger - untill Luke recovers. The upheaval however does not have appear to have phased the pairing, or slowed them down and they romped home to a conclusive double victory at Witton Castle recently. With the new dynamic duo showing such excellent form, present sidecar leaders John and Mark Watson will have to be on their mettle to guard what seems like a comfortable twenty point lead at present.

A mere ten points separate the leading pair in the ACU Challenge as it goes to the penultimate round at Milton Malsor. Phil Mercer sits in top spot ahead of last years Champion Jason Palmer who will be desperate to overcome his present deficit and retain that coveted number one plate.

At an earlier Pontrilas round Ben Taylor spoiled Mercers chances with victory ahead of both him, Craig Trew and Palmer while at Witton Castle recently all the leading contenders left the door wide open for a new boy -Syd Bales - to grab the limelight. Due to a date clash they were all riding at the Maxxis British Solo Motocross Championship in Northern Ireland and Syd seized his chance, however Bales luck has been short lived as he suffered a broken collarbone at a further event at Cadders Hall, Lyng.

Creating local interest in the Championship are Kidbrook's Ben Lambert-Williams, David Williams from Norwood and Martin Cuddy from Dartford they will be looking for support from the fans.

With the Championship heading for the "Big Decider" at the exciting "Canada Heights" course on September the 26th it is anybodies guess as to the outcome at the final chequered flag. The only certain thing is that the racing in all classes will be breathtaking. To witness this amazing spectacle and feel that great adrenaline rush you will simply have to be there for yourself.

The Sidcup Club is extremely committed to this super event and is backing it to the hilt. Work started in early August on an exciting and technical track intended to bring out the very best in the fit young athletes and thrill the spectators.

Overnight camping facilities will be available for those wishing to make a relaxing week-end of it and all the usual amenities will be on hand. Technicalities will commence at 8.30 sharp with scrutineering. Practice at 9.30 and racing at 12.noon.

Admission fee has been kept at a very reasonable £10 Adults. £5 OAP's and ACCOMPANIED children under 14 free.

Enquiries from: Mrs Lillywhite (Secretary of Meeting) 01798 342990, or Brian Edwards (Press Officer) 01474 852155.

Entries

Contact Shelia Lillywhite 01798 342990

More Information

For more information on the whole series go to the series website