With just days to go until the opening round of the 2015 Maxxis ACU British Championship powered by Skye Energy, there has never been so much hype and expectation for the racing to begin.
Hilton Park is the location for round one this Sunday, March 15 and it’s the championship’s first visit to the circuit, located adjacent to the M54 motorway at junction one and just five minutes from the M6 at Birmingham.
Over recent weeks the circuit has undergone some major changes to accommodate the requirements of the series and should provide some exciting and close racing.
Picking a potential winner in any class is never easy, but with the injection of new riders to the championship it’s sure to make things even more intense.
In MX1, reigning champion Shaun Simpson (Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM UK) will be looking to make a strong start to his title defence, but the addition of Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Steven Frossard and former full time GP rider Tanel Leok (LPE Kawasaki) it’s not going to be a straightforward task for the popular Scot.
Other riders that will be in the mix include 2013 MX1 Championship Kristian Whatley on the Buildbase Honda, MBO Sports ASA Scaffolding Yamaha’s – and fan favourite – Brad Anderson, Graeme Irwin on the Heads and All Threads Suzuki and many other front runners that are capable of challenging for race wins.
In the MX2 class the untimely injury to reigning champ Matiss Karro has unfortunately ruled him out of the opening rounds of the series, but with the return of Steve Dixon’s team on board their new Monster Energy Kawasaki’s, Max Anstie and last year’s runner Mel Pocock are sure to add some extra spice to the action.
Then when you add in last year’s front runners of Adam Sterry (Wilvo Forkrent KTM), Frenchman Steven Lenoir on the Dyer and Butler KTM, European EMX250 Champion and the winner of the final round in 2014 Steven Clarke, plus regulars Bryan MacKenzie and Neville Bradshaw the action is sure to be red hot.
Also competing at the opening round is the Veterans class, which for 2015 has seen the age limit lowered to 35. Reigning champion Phil Mercer will be looking to continue his fine form in this class, but will face stiff competition from the likes of former multi British champion Carl Nunn and Ryan Voase as well as regular front runner Brian Wheeler.
Hilton Park is situated less than five minutes from the intersection of the M6 and M54 motorways and will be signposted from the M54 junction one and can be easily found using the postcode WV11 2BE. The organising club have stated that due to local land restrictions there will be no facility for public camping on the Saturday night.
The action starts at 9.30am with the qualifying for the Veterans Class whilst the MX2 and MX1 qualifying session start at the respectable time of 10.05am and 10.50am.
Admission prices are £20 for Adults £5 for Children under 15 and Children under 5 are Free, Family Tickets are available at £45.
For more information about the championship please visit www.mxgb.co.uk.
