If it wasn’t hot enough in Lochgilphead at the weekend, the riders turned up the heat in all classes. From Auto’s to MX1, the racing was full of drama. In every class, the results went right down to the wire.
The track had been worked on in the weeks leading up to the race and widened to make for better racing. With temperatures soaring over the two days, it needed plenty of water to keep the dust down. With the track prepped, the scene was set, and the racing did not disappoint the busy crowd who had turned out in numbers to see some non-stop action.
What a mouth-watering line up it was in the Carnagie Fuels MX1 Class, and the Safe Access MX2 class combined race. If you were to ask anyone in Scottish Motocross who their favourite rider was in the past 10+ years, no doubt it would be Ross Rutherford, Billy Mackenzie or Shaun Simpson (barring a few notable exceptions, BryMac/Stephen Sword).
I can’t think if they’ve ever been in the same race recently or if ever, but the planets aligned, and they were all at Lochgilphead to race. Shaun had bragging rights in qualifying, but Billy was within a second of him. The first race had some real drama when Billy jumped the start gate and Shaun went end over end after Owen Hendry went down. The race was red flagged 20 seconds later as MX2 hopeful, Gregor Campbell went down hard after being hit by another bike, so they all got to line up again.
This time, Billy grabbed the AMD holeshot legitimately and did his best to hold Shaun off, but the flying Scotsman showed why he’s still the man to beat. Ross ‘Bunga’ Rutherford would have his hands full all day trying to fend off the super-fast Lewis Hall on his two-stroke bike as the diminutive Englishman would spoil the scots party. Lewis, racing in the MX2 class, finished second in the first race beating Billy Mac to third. He would win the MX2 overall easily on the day with Steven Craig a distant second but considering the punishing riding he had done on Saturday, understandable in the heat! Jack Arthur’s season is on track as he gets the most out of his RMZ Suzuki. He lamented the first race re-start as he was running at the front when it was red flagged. Logan Hendry, back on a four stroke KTM managed to edge Ewan Kermack for the fourth spot. The pair battled hard all day but Hendry came out on top.
The top three MX1 riders showed their class. The gnarly old school hard pack track did not phase them. They gave the track and each other respect and it was down to race craft and experience who would win the overall on the day. Simpson showed exactly why he is in the Top 3 in the British MX Championships. Shaun and Billy shared the AMD Holeshots but ultimately the three race wins for Simpson proved his dominance. Billy’s return to racing the British MX Championship has not doubt maintained his riding level and apart from Simpson, he had no competition all weekend. It was great to see Bunga getting back to race fitness after his knee operation last year. The remaining podium place was never in doubt for the multiple Scottish Champion. Aiden Bruce raced hard as ever and beat Dylan Carnegie into fourth overall. Dylan had swapped his two stroke for a 450 KTM and the MX1 championship sponsors son showed he still had the desire to race. Club sponsor Dyce Carriers Ltd were well represented in the MX2 class as a swap over to a KXF 250 gave Seth Moir a new lease of life.
Round three of the ScotMX Championship, powered by Milwaukee will be at Duns Motocross May 14th/15th May. Entries are open and available www.scotmx.com
