Simpson finishes second on his Weston debut
By G2F on 13th Oct 08
Weston Beach Race 12th October 2008. Shaun Simpson KTM UK rounded off his 2008 season with an unexpected second place on his debut at the World famous Weston Beach Race. The three-hour sea front battle at Weston-Super-Mare was won by the sand man himself Stefan Everts, who will be Simpsons mentor when he moves to the factory KTM team next year.
Whilst having not confirmed his participation in this unique eventuntil late this week, Shaun showed that he was a serious contender asearly as the first lap. Despite being at a disadvantage against thebigger capacity bikes on the initial sprint down the long startstraight, Simpson rounded the first corner in a top ten position.
As the action shifted to the never ending line of massive dunes, theScot started to show his pedigree and quickly made his way up the orderto have the early leader and eventual victor Everts within his sightsmid way though the first lap. Shaun made a brave move to pass the sandking, but his glory was short lived as he then lost the front end as hedropped down one of the steep virgin descents.
Undeterred the recently crowned MX2 British motocross champion was soonback in action, and had managed to get himself back into fourth spot ashe crossed the line for the first time. With many of the other headlinenames dropping by the wayside as the race progressed, the twenty yearold once again showed great maturity as he settled into a solid rhythmthat would keep Everts within his sights.
Swift and well executed pit stops after an hour and then at the twohour mark saw Simpson pause only briefly for fuel, drink and freshgoggles on both occasions, with the KTM 250SX-F two-fifty four strokemachine not missing a beat throughout this gruelling encounter. Comethe end of the three hour race, only the front three riders had managedto complete eighteen laps, with Shaun coming home just a couple ofminutes behind Everts to take a worthy runners up place on his MX2bike.
Around one hundred thousand fans watched the twenty sixth edition ofthis annual race in glorious weather, with temperatures on the SouthWest coast reaching the early twenties. Shaun's father Willie Simpsonwas the winner of the first ever Weston Beach Race back in 1983.
Speaking after the race Simpson said. That was mega, I loved everyminute of it, and I am so glad that I have finally had the chance toride this great race. I made a good start, but perhaps should haveopted to follow Stefan rather than passing him on the first lap.Despite losing out on power in some places, I was making up good timein the motocross part of the track.
Shaun continued. The second hour was the hardest as I forgot toput my drinks pack on during the first pit stop, so I got quitedehydrated. The last hour was OK as I picked it up on my second stop,and that gave me an extra spurt for the final push. To finish secondbehind Stefan on a two-fifty four stroke is a great result both for meand KTM.