Jason Stateside
By TMX Archives on 23rd Apr 08
JASON MacBeth is in the US for six months competing in the Moose Racing ATV MX National Series. Jason arrived in early March with his brother, Lee, and commenced the work of preparing for the series by purchasing two new Honda TRX450R machines from Shenandoah Honda of Winchester, Virginia. His home base is in Laytonsville, Maryland, at the home of Iain Buckingham and his back-up team consists of his dad, Gary MacBeth, Lee Macbeth and Iain Buckingham.
The Moose Racing ATV series runs across the Eastern States of the US and there are 28 different classes covering from 4-5-year-old kids up to Over 40 and everything in between! Jason is competing in the Pro Am Unlimited and Production classes.
The first meeting at Pell City, Alabama meant a long road trip of 730 miles each way, undertaken in a loaned motorhome and a newly kitted out trailer. There were 70 riders attempting to qualify for the Pro Am classes and only 20 slots available in each. The first moto is split into four divisions with the top four riders qualifying from each division, then there are two last chance' qualifiers. Jason missed qualifying for the Production class by one place and also failed to qualify for the Unlimited, but it was a good opportunity to gain experience for the next round.
The second meeting was in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The weather was foul with monsoon rains on the Thursday night and very cold. The track was in a good condition, despite the weather, due to excellent track maintenance. This time Jason qualified on the Saturday for the Unlimited class, with a fifth place in the first moto, but in the main race crashed at the start and was only able to finish 16th overall.
Things changed however on the Sunday, when Jason qualified in fifth place in the first moto and then achieved a fifth place in the main event, giving him fifth place overall in the Pro Am Production Class, winning a cash prize which covered the entry cost!
Jason is in 12th place overall in the Pro Am Production Class, after two meetings and 2,700 miles of driving!
The next meeting is in Birch Creek, Virginia. Jason is looking for a fan club so get out there and support the only British rider in the series.
You can follow Jason's progress at www.jason
macbethracing.com or www. atvmotocross.com