With one round still remaining, Kristian Whatley (Pro MX1) and Bradley Wheeler (Pirelli MX2) can already start celebrating and enjoying the glory of earning a motocross title victory following the latest AMCA Wulfsport British Masters action held at Brookthorpe.
Also just about home and dry is Adam Wells, the leader of Amateur MX2 after his current and closest rival Zac Stealey unluckily suffered a suspected broken elbow in moto three. Other riders starring in this frantic, penultimate event of the Masters season were DBR columnist Bryan MacKenzie, Paul Neale and Joe Jeffries who all performed in style to bag super maximum points on their way to overall victory.
Although this was the first ever Masters visit to the hillside circuit, the general consensus of opinion was positive and what great entertainment the riders were to serve up with numerous close finishes and an abundance of spectacular action. Indeed the crowd were certainly thrilled by the high flying antics of the Battery Energy Pro class with the immaculate MBO Sport Yamaha rider Kristian Whatley storming to yet another brace of moto wins. When the gate dropped though to signal the start of moto one, it was the Heads and All Threads Suzuki pilot Graeme Irwin who was first to react.
Before the pack had completed the opening lap though, that man Whatley was already in control with Irwin, Josh Waterman, Bryan MacKenzie, Luke Hawkins, Alex Snow and James Dodd chasing hard as Nev Bradshaw surprisingly circulated down in 13th.
As Whatley and Irwin then gradually fabricated a healthy advantage for themselves at the front, the action was red hot and raging right throughout the pack with MacKenzie in particular wowing the crowd with some massive air time aboard his 250F Pendrich Kawasaki. With Irn-Bry getting up to third, he then brilliantly held off the very close attention of a determined Hawkins, the two battling riders crossing the finish line almost side by side. As Waterman got home in a solid fifth and Snow sixth, Ashley Wilde produced a great ride to move from 17th right up to seventh, just ahead of Luke Mellows and Bradshaw.
With the track rapidly drying out following overnight rain, Whatley ensured totally clear vision for himself by producing a motocross masterclass and controlling the second Battery Energy Pro clash from start to finish. After strong opening moto performances though, both Snow and Hawkins were well downfield in the early stages and with it all to do. As Kristian galloped to an untroubled and comfortable victory, Irwin moved up past fast starting Waterman and MacKenzie to thus earn another impressive second spot.
Adding some International flavour to the Masters competition at Brookthorpe, Japanese star Yoshi Atsuka was also in action and eventually claimed a fine third spot in moto two, moving up to then fend off the likes of Waterman, Mackenzie, Bradshaw, Carless and Wilde. Following their slightly indifferent starts, Hawkins eventually took ninth and Snow 11th. With Whatley already crowned Pro MX1 King, Nev Bradshaw now needs just eight points at Pontrilas to take home the Pro MX2 title.
One of the closest title conclusions at Pontrilas looks most likely to be in the Muk Junkie Amateur MX1 contest as just 24 points currently separate new leader Chad Yarranton and Luke Meredith. At Brookthorpe, season long series leader Daniel Hutchinson was a non-starter. In the KTM rider’s absence it was another Orange bike taking the win as Wiltshire based Mark Young blasted to overall victory ahead of Matthew Thomas and Scott Bates with Meredith fifth and Yarranton sixth. In great form throughout the weekend, Young’s only defeat came in moto two when Luke Blanchard was first past the flag.
In the www.goggle-shop.com Amateur MX2 contest, series leader Richard Cannings and regular moto winner Jack Kelly have both been forced into recent retirement following serious injury. With another major contender Zac Stealey then suffering a suspected broken elbow in moto three at Brookthorpe the crown looks certain to go to Adam Wells. During this latest action, the always consistent Wells had to settle for fourth overall behind winner Paul Neale, Carl Benjamin and Chuck Davies. Indeed AMCA MX2 Championship aces Neale and Benjamin were also to feature in one of the races of the weekend, a scintillating moto four battle in which the two riders swapped positions before Neale snatched victory in the closing stages to thus ensure an unbeaten maximum points score.
After dislocating his shoulder during round five at FatCat, Shaun Scrivens the early season unbeaten leader of the Pirelli MX1 contest was back in action at Brookthorpe. In a very competitive class, Jamie McCarthy (2), Jake Thompson and Scrivens all recorded moto wins to help them on their way to the eventual podium places. Producing one of his best performances of the season, Gloucestershire lad Thompson has moved up to second in the title standings although still 80 points off leader Jason Kendrick. Mathematically, Scrivens, Daniel Chapman and Adam Smith could also earn the Pirelli MX1 gold medal should Kendrick slip up.
With another stylish and very controlled performance, Bradley Wheeler not only recorded a maximum points victory but also wrapped up the Pirelli MX2 title at Brookthorpe. Sharing the podium with super Wheeler were Matthew Hockenhull and a determined Brandon Benjamin. In moto three on Sunday, Benjamin suffered a very nasty opening turn fall but then picked himself up to blast from last up to a great ninth just behind his brother Mitchell.
Although most of the racing at Brookthorpe was top class, topping the bill was surely moto three in the GSP Race Products MXY2 class. In a frantic four-way battle for the win, Jamie Ellis, Reece Desoer, Chase Neale and Loukas Maggio crossed the finish line with just inches separating the quartet of determined pilots. Although Maggio missed out on that verdict, he was to then produce a sublime last corner pass in moto four to snatch victory away from a very surprised Ellis. Indeed that move was crucial as it also earned Maggio the overall verdict from Desoer and Ellis.
In Putoline BW85cc, Joe Jeffries has moved another big step closer to the title following a super maximum points win at Brookthorpe. Brett Pocock is now the only rider who can halt Jeffries march to Championship glory. In this latest action, Pocock took the overall runners-up slot ahead of Aaron Booker and Tyron Cleaver. Over in Putoline SW85cc, Archie Osmaston has led the charge pretty much all the way and like Jeffries is now within touching distance of the 2013 crown.
Once again in the latest action, Archie climbed the top step on the podium joined by Dylan Spencer and Ben Burridge whilst last moto SW85cc winner Declan Hunter had to settle for fifth. So it’s now onto Pontrilas for the Masters decider on September 7/8 but who will be the riders joining Kristian Whatley, Bradley Wheeler and Adam Wells on the 2013 roll of honour?
