YOUths better be ready for Brampton
By TMX Archives on 14th Mar 11
With the opening round of the 2011 BYMX series set for Brampton in East Cumbria all thoughts are now being focused this weekend, March 12/13. The Lower Gelt circuit has undergone a few major changes with a new start line at the bottom of the hill.
In the 65's Scottish ace Alexander Brown and Manxman Jed Etchells start the 2011 campaign as the most likely lads to beat. They both impressed in last years series finishing in sixth and seventh places respectively. They both excell in sandy conditions and Brown almost stole the show with his terrific performance at Lower Gelt last term. Harry Kimber also caught the eye at last year's September Cusses finale, and he could well prove to be the main challenge - this year Kimber riding for the Twisted Seven Kawasaki outfit. Elsewhere in the section look out for hard charging two day efforts from Oliver Costerdine, Rossi Beard, Harry Wichman, Matthew Pocock, Archie Osmaston and Jordan Hearn.
The Etchells verses Brown head to head only takes place on BYMX weekends as does the mouth watering prospect of Conrad Mewse going bar to bar with super Sid Evans in the Small-wheel 85cc class. The pair put on a rattling good show back in 09 when in the 65's and you can expect the same explosive action this time around. Back in ‘09 Mewse ultimately won out quite conclusively but Evans has the advantage of the Twisted 7 green machine this year. Jordan Eccles, David Keet, Jamie Carpenter and Dexter Douglas look to be the other main protaganists in the division - all toughing it out for the podium positions. Also keen to make a significant mark a few of last years 65cc upgrades headed by Keenan Hird and Taylor Hammal.
Ben Watson began the 2010 year as the favourite for the Big-wheel 85cc title. He will be determined to put last years ill fortune well behind him however as he once again heads the list of fancied runners on his HM Plant Red Bull KTM. Last year the main thrust of the challenge to Watson came from the Honda 150F crew and it could be exactly the same scenario this year. Rob Davidson, Jack Gardner and last years BYMX Small-wheel champion Josh Gilbert are just three of the Honda boys looking to mount a serious challenge. From the two stroke ranks expect top performances from Tom Neal, Liam Knight, Nathan Dixon and Jack Eldridge. Also look out for Brad Todd and Matty Callaghan on their favourite Cumbrian track.
In the Youth Open section if Ryan Houghton, Bradley Pocock, Jamie McCanney and Nathan Watson all bring their A game to Brampton a real classic is on the cards. Houghton a new recruit to the HM Plant Red Bull KTM fold will be well fancied even though he is the youngest of the quartet. On an equal footing to the four already mentioned James Dunn and Jordan Divall are also well capable of taking the overall class win. Also watch out for last years Big-wheel 85cc champion Adam Sterry, track specialist Jake Gowan along with the likes of Jordan McClelland, Jake Millward, Jake Page, Damon Brooks, Luke Newman, Connor Clark, and Twisted Seven's Ty Kellett and James Harrison. Also on the entry list for the weekend Matthew Fleming - so watch out for a big show coming from the Kawasaki Fife flier.
On the Sunday at Brampton the opening round of the British Two stroke championship with a mixture of seasoned adults and top youth runners will entertain to the max. Stuart Edmonds on the TM will surely be the rider to stretch the field fully in this one with entertainment galore behind as Ben Howell, Jordan Godwin, Sam Winterburn and the rest all bash plastics in a feast of smoker class action