News - AMCA Update
By TMX Archives on 16th May 06
Clitheroe and Hollis set the pace
An influx of former ACU championship riders promises a shake up at the opening round of the '06 AMCA series at Hawkstone Park. But even former CAS Honda teamster Paul Coward, ex-Aiwa Yamaha young gun Richard-Mike Jones and one-time Millennium KTM man Phil Mercer can't make it to the top step of the podium.
Instead, the established AMCA stars demonstrate that there are no easy pickings to be had at Hawkstone with Rob Clitheroe taking the overall in the 125cc division from defending champ Brad O'Leary.
Clitheroe, sidelined for a big slice of the '05 season with an injured wrist, blasts to a three-race maximum to open up an early lead at the top of the championship table. O'Leary, out on his new AMS KTM, survives a scary moment at the top of the famous hill to post a 3-3-2 card and squeeze ahead of ex-BYMX star Mark Hooley who ties on points with 2-2-4 results but loses out on the final race rule.
Charlie Hollis was a serious contender for last year's Open crown until a badly busted leg sustained at Matchams ended his challenge. But he's back and means business and his 1-1-3 card hands him the series lead after the opening round.
Behind him 'Factory' Phil Mercer improves all day, going 3-2-1 to take second from Danny Blakely. Rich-Mike is on the pace and has victory - and the chequered flag - in sight in the second moto but crashes back to fourth while defending champ Simon Lane also suffers in the sand and can only manage 10th overall.
Results
125cc
1 Rob Clitheroe (Honda) 25+25+25=75
2 Brad O'Leary (FotoX/AMS KTM) 20+20+22=62
3 Mark Hooley (KTM) 22+22+18=62
4 Clinton Barrs (Wildmoor/Wulfsport Yamaha) 16+18+16=50
5 Rick Du-Feu (DK Off-road Honda) 15+12+20=47
Open class
1 Charlie Hollis (CAS Honda) 25+25+20=70
2 Phil Mercer (250cc Kawasaki) 20+22+25=67
3 Danny Blakeley (250cc Silvester Yamaha) 18+16+22=56
4 Elliot Barrs (250cc Wildmoor/Wulfsport Yamaha) 22+15+14=51
5 Aaron Crowder (Honda) 15+13+18=46
Instead, the established AMCA stars demonstrate that there are no easy pickings to be had at Hawkstone with Rob Clitheroe taking the overall in the 125cc division from defending champ Brad O'Leary.
Clitheroe, sidelined for a big slice of the '05 season with an injured wrist, blasts to a three-race maximum to open up an early lead at the top of the championship table. O'Leary, out on his new AMS KTM, survives a scary moment at the top of the famous hill to post a 3-3-2 card and squeeze ahead of ex-BYMX star Mark Hooley who ties on points with 2-2-4 results but loses out on the final race rule.
Charlie Hollis was a serious contender for last year's Open crown until a badly busted leg sustained at Matchams ended his challenge. But he's back and means business and his 1-1-3 card hands him the series lead after the opening round.
Behind him 'Factory' Phil Mercer improves all day, going 3-2-1 to take second from Danny Blakely. Rich-Mike is on the pace and has victory - and the chequered flag - in sight in the second moto but crashes back to fourth while defending champ Simon Lane also suffers in the sand and can only manage 10th overall.
Results
125cc
1 Rob Clitheroe (Honda) 25+25+25=75
2 Brad O'Leary (FotoX/AMS KTM) 20+20+22=62
3 Mark Hooley (KTM) 22+22+18=62
4 Clinton Barrs (Wildmoor/Wulfsport Yamaha) 16+18+16=50
5 Rick Du-Feu (DK Off-road Honda) 15+12+20=47
Open class
1 Charlie Hollis (CAS Honda) 25+25+20=70
2 Phil Mercer (250cc Kawasaki) 20+22+25=67
3 Danny Blakeley (250cc Silvester Yamaha) 18+16+22=56
4 Elliot Barrs (250cc Wildmoor/Wulfsport Yamaha) 22+15+14=51
5 Aaron Crowder (Honda) 15+13+18=46
Words and photo by Mike Wood