The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship returns to action with round five at the fantastic Skelder Bank circuit at Whitby. The circuit offers good viewing for spectators in front of the impressive backdrop of Whitby bay.
The Skelder Bank track is widely recognised as one of the best in the North East and is always popular with both the riders and race fans alike. Whitby last featured in the Championship back in 2007 and produced some fantastic racing on the hillside circuit.
With both the MX1 and MX2 classes being so tightly contested the action this coming weekend is sure to be red hot.
In the MX2 class Mel Pocock leads the Championship on his Hitachi Construction Machinery UK KTM ahead of the fast charging Matiss Karro on the Wilvo Forkrent KTM. So far this season Karro has been the dominant force in the class, taking six out of the nine race wins, but the ever consistent Pocock has held onto the Championship lead since the opening round.
Currently third in the Championship is Putoline Apico Honda’s Neville Bradshaw on 161 points ahead of Pendrich Height Services Kawasaki’s Bryan MacKenzie in fourth and Matiss Karro’s Wilvo Forkrent KTM team-mate Adam Sterry in fifth.
The MX2 class will also feature the added spice of the Bike It Cosworth Yamaha’s Max Anstie, along with American Thomas Covington making a wildcard appearance on the CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki, along with other Maxxis front runners including Ben Watson, Steven Clarke and Steven Lenoir who missed a round due to a nasty arm injury at Lyng.
In the MX1 class Shaun Simpson currently holds the Red Plate on the Hitachi Construction Machinery UK KTM ahead of Jake Nicholls on the Wilvo Forkrent KTM. Following his bad result in the last race at Canada Heights due to a crash on the opening lap, Jake Nicholls will be keen to reclaim some of the points lost in the championship battle.
The pair will both have to contend with Tommy Searle making a wildcard appearance on the CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki. Searle is sure to be battling for race wins and could provide the ideal chance for Simpson or Nicholls to collect extra points.
While Simpson, Nicholls and Searle battle for the overall victory, reigning champion Kristian Whatley will be looking to continue his podium run and close the gap on the top two.
Local hero Brad Anderson will be pushing for a strong result in front of his home crowd on the Buildbase Honda. Anderson has achieved a lot of success around the Whitby circuit in the past and will be looking for a similar result, while Graeme Irwin will be looking to advance forward from fifth in the championship.
Returning to racing action at Whitby is reigning two-time MX2 Championship Elliott Banks-Browne on the Buildbase Honda after missing Canada Heights following a shoulder operation.
Whitby also marks round three of the MXY2 championship, following two exciting rounds Josh Gilbert currently leads the championship. The St Blazey MX Amped rider leads Oliver Osmaston by just four points with round one winner Jason Meara a further four points behind. Tom Neal and Liam Knight will both be looking to close the gap on the leaders and move up the championship standings.
The Skelder Bank circuit is situated adjacent to the main A171 Whitby to Teeside road approximately three miles from Whitby or use the postcode YO21 1TN for the circuit. Practice starts at 9am with the first MX2 Championship going off the line at 12:15pm. Admission prices are £20 for Adults £5 for Children under 15 and Children under 5 are Free, Family Tickets are available at £45.
