Maxxis fight gets hot at Hawkstone
By Sean Lawless on 25th May 16
The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean underlined its status as Europes No.1 domestic series with a successful third round at Hawkstone Park on Sunday.
On a perfectly prepped circuit, one of the world's most iconic tracks, reigning MX1 champion Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Virus KTM) raced to a pair of wins to extend his lead over an off-colour Tommy Searle (Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki).
"It's been another good day at the office,” said the Scot, who's bidding for three straight MX1 titles this season. "I always feel good at Hawkstone and the aim of this weekend was to win both races and get on the top step of the podium.
"I'm now 10 points in the lead and, as I went on about last year, you have to keep plugging away and adding those championship points and that's what we are doing at the moment. It's all positive as the bike is getting better and better each week and I am feeling better at riding it.”
Searle, who was second in both races, admitted to still be suffering from the effects of a crash in Italy the weekend before.
"Today has been a struggle from start to finish,” he said. "I hit my head last weekend at the GP and wasn't even sure that I was going to race. I have felt off all day but salvaged what points I could so two second-placed finishes are okay considering.”
The MX2 class saw Martin Barr (Buildbase Honda) move to the top of the championship classification with a typically battling performance.
"Obviously it's been a fantastic day for me,” said the Irishman. "Race one was pretty tough. I didn't get a great start and was around 12th after the first lap so I got my head down, pushed hard and fought my way through to third.
"I changed my gate position for race two and got a fantastic start just behind Mel Pocock. I followed him for a bit but once I got to the front I put the hammer down and I won it by almost 20 seconds.
"I've got the red plate now going into my home race at Desertmartin and for sure I intend to hang onto it until the end of the season.”
With the Monster Energy Supercross series over, the best racers on the other side of the Atlantic converged on Hangtown for the opening round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Joey Savatgy (Monster Energy Kawasaki) dominated the 250cc class with a double win, a feat match in the 450s by former champion Ken Roczen (RCH Suzuki).
"We're in a way better position than we were last year,” said Roczen, who started the 2015 season with an injury. "That's all behind us and now I can go out and focus on my riding. I played catch-up last year so this
season I have a chance to start fresh and build momentum. I'm glad I put myself in a good position but it's still a long year.”
