The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean moves into its final quarter on Sunday with round seven at the spectacular Foxhill circuit promoted by Langrish Motor Cycle Racing Club.
Set in a steep-sided valley near Swindon, Foxhill, was the scene of a string of epic ā90s GPs. Stefan Everts ā the biggest star of that decade ā rates it as his favourite circuit and who are we to argue with the record-breaking 10-time world champion?
Tommy Searle (BOS Kawasaki) could wrap the MX1 title up on Sunday. With a 49-point lead, all he has to do is beat Shaun Simpson (RFX KTM powered by PAR Homes) by more than two points and the championship will be his for the third time ā but nothingās ever straight-forward in motocross.
Searle was already carrying a rib injury and is believed to have also sustained a hand injury at Loket which could give the advantage to Simpson who is still playing catch-up after technical problems put him out of the points at round five at Desertmartin.
The title is still Searleās to lose but at the very least Simpson will be determined to take the fight to the final round at Landrake at the end of next month.
Between them the pair have taken every overall this year but itās by no means a two-horse race and there are some seriously fast men all hoping to get on the box on Sunday.
A revelation in his rookie season in MX1, itās highly unlikely that Jake Millward (Chambers Racing Husqvarna) can catch the leading pair in the title chase ā although heās still in with a mathematical chance ā but heāll definitely be looking to extend his advantage over fourth and fifth-placed riders Mel Pocock (ASA United KTM) and Harri Kullas (Cab Screens Deos Group Honda).
Jake Nicholls (Buildbase Honda), whoās missed most of the season through injury, has to be considered a podium threat and Jake Shipton (Crescent Yamaha) ā after getting on the box for the first time in his career at round five at Desertmartin ā will fancy his chances at what he describes as his favourite track.
Rain is forecast leading into the event but if the trackās dry then how about Brad Anderson (Verde Substance KTM) on the 250 two-stroke? The two-time champ currently sits seventh in the points table and he knows all about wringing the nuts off a stroker around Foxhill.
Itās incredibly tight at the top of the MX2 class where REVO Husqvarna UKās Dylan Walsh and Alvin Ostlund are running 1-2, separated by just 12 points, with Josh Gilbert (Buildbase) Honda a further 22 points off the pace.
Walsh had a tough time at last weekendās MXGP of Belgium at Lommel and sustained a shoulder injury so thereās perhaps a question mark over his fitness ā although thereās no doubt about the Kiwiās speed and determination to take the title in his first season in Britain.
Ostlund is also in great form and broke the top 10 in the MX2 world championship for the first time this season at Lommel but neither have raced at Foxhill before so Gilbert will start with a slight advantage today.
You can also expect Martin Barr (Crescent Yamaha) to be in contention and donāt rule out Ashton Dickinson (Craigs Motorcycles KTM) who finished on the podium at Blaxhall.
Another rider with the potential to shake things up near the front is Austrian Michael Sandner (Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee) who was impressive at Lommel in his debut ride as a fill-in rider for the team.
Joel Rizzi (RFX KTM powered by PAR Homes) leads the MX2 Youth title chase by 24 points but after winning the first three rounds heās being challenged by Ike Carter (GL12 Husqvarna) and
Kyle McNichol (Manchester Motorcycles Husqvarna) whoāve both now picked up overall wins.
Foxhill is situated four miles east of Swindon. Postcode is SN4 0DR. Practice starts at 9am with the first race at 10.45am. Admission is Ā£20 for adults and Ā£5 for children. Family tickets are available at Ā£45.
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