Fus duo on fire at Brookthorpe! 2021 AMCA British Motocross Championship Rounds 7 & 8 – Race Report & Results

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Fantastic racing on a super, spectacular circuit and in changing conditions, round 7 and 8 of the AMCA British Motocross Championship at Brookthorpe had it all and so much more! Before the weekend had even begun though there were serious concerns that widely predicted wet weather could potentially call a frustrating halt to proceedings! Thankfully the worst accumulations appeared to somehow miss the Gloucestershire venue during race time, so five full blocks of top-class action were completed, all played out in front of a sizeable crowd.

Feature Image courtesy of Mike Wood

The AMCA Vets Championship opened the weekend programme and it started pretty much true to form as Paul Burn grabbed the holeshot only for super series leader Phil Mercer to come through. Riding with injuries sustained during a club level event two weeks earlier, Phil still made it look so easy in his own cultured, smooth style. Taking 2^nd in this one was local lad James Lane with Gary Davies next up from Simon Lane, Burn, Sean Smith, Andrew Watkins and Kevin Sanders. Although Davies then led the second clash on day one, the end result was to be a repeat of the opener with the only difference being that this time Andy Marchant, Brian Staples and Matthew Chaplin were inside the top ten.

Following some heavy overnight rain and again being first out on track, the going was decidedly slippery and sticky for the first Vets clash of day two. Initially, it was Davies leading the charge only to drop his Kawasaki on the exit from a corner. Taking full advantage was that man Mercer as Davies remounted for 2^nd ahead of the Lane brothers James and Simon with Burn next up. Despite his painful injuries, Mercer then produced a heroic effort in Sunday’s second clash after crashing whilst leading. Dropping back to 3^rd and behind Davies and James Lane, Phil somehow fought back to regain the advantage on the final lap and take another win with Simon Lane, Burn and Smith again in the frame. Digging deep, Phil then won the last Vets clash of the weekend from gate to flag and also bag yet another overall success. In the title stakes, Mercer has a 56 point advantage over rival Davies with James Lane a further 95 points in arrears.

Although the same rider’s featured on the MX1 podiums for both Saturday and Sunday, this class served up several stunning encounters. The fun all began in the opening clash of the weekend as Dodd(twice) and Greedy took turns to lead the way only for Waterman to come storming through and snatch a dramatic victory on the final lap. With conditions at this point still totally dry, Hawkins, Luke Burton, Adam Chatfield, Luke Meredith, Jamie Skuse, Luke Dean and Damon Strydom started the event with strong top-ten finishes. With just two blocks planned for day one, Hawkins then passed Waterman on the opening circuit of Saturday’s second moto before racing onto the win. That meant that it was Waterman taking the overall verdict from Hawkins and Greedy.

Luke Hawkins(8) passes James Dodd in MX1

Despite the overnight rain, by the time MX1 came under starters orders for moto one on day two, the circuit was rapidly drying out thus creating some very interesting line choices and also helping to produce another thriller and victory for Waterman. Early on Greedy had led the way before first Hawkins then race winner Waterman found a way through. Hawkins then dropped down to finish 5^th just behind Burton as Mark Young, Josh Taylor, Skuse, Zac Stealey and Dean were next up. Greedy was again fastest away in MX1 moto two on Sunday and led for four laps before the very quick Hawkins took control for the win. With Dodd in 3^rd, Waterman was working very hard to come from 9^th up to 4^th just ahead of Burton and Meredith.

MX1 action from Luke Hawkins(8), Josh Waterman(19) and Ashley Greedy(33)

Unfortunately for Meredith he then fell on turn one of the final clash, restarting last. Upfront though Hawkins led from gate to flag to also bag the overall win on day two. So on the round 8 box, it was Hawkins, Waterman and Greedy. In the race title, it just keeps getting tighter with Greedy on 910 points and still in control as Waterman narrows the gap on 893 and both Dodd 884 and Hawkins 860 waiting to pounce.

In the opening Brookthorpe MX2 clash, fast Shane Carless made his intentions perfectly clear with a gate to flag victory ahead of Nev Bradshaw, Henry Williams, Rossi Beard, Harry Linton, Rory Jones, Lewis Dowdeswell and Josh Coleman. Moto two on Saturday and it was a repeat performance as Shane dictated proceedings ahead of most of the above-mentioned riders with Lee Truman and James Hanscomb breaking into the top ten.

Coming out in a very determined and focussed mood, Nev Bradshaw blasted his 250cc 2T into pole position right from the off in Sunday’s opening MX2 moto, leading from gate to flag despite Carless closing in hard during the final stages. Such was the terrific pace of the top two that they lapped right up to 8^th place in this one, the top seven being filled by Beard, Linton, Coleman, Dowdeswell and Martin Jones as title contender Williams got home in 9^th. After getting the better of Carless in moto one, Bradshaw set about repeating that feat in the second clash on Sunday, leading the opening five laps. Carless though was on a mission and fought back to bag the win. In the last MX2 clash of the weekend, Shane was again right on the gas with a smooth start to finish win as Nev took 2^nd from Willams, Beard, Rory Jones and Linton. On the day two podium, Beard replaced Williams but it was the FUS Marsh MX team who displayed the biggest smiles as they tightened their relentless grip on the MX2 title race.

Having only just gone to the summit of the 125cc Championship standings, Lloyd Morgan announced just before the Brookthorpe event that he will unfortunately now miss the remainder of the season after suffering two broken bones in his hand. So with the unlucky Dirtwheelz Fantic rider out it meant that yet again there would be a different name at the top of the series standings. With Morgan missing, extra spice though was added to what is already a thrilling class by the addition of two wildcard entries, former ACU Championship winner Kristian Whatley and Matthew Bayliss. Although Whatley won moto one on Saturday, he was certainly made to work very hard for his glory in what was a super contest. Up until midpoint, local lad Jack Timms led the way before both Whatley and Kieran Banks came through. With Bayliss taking 4^th, next up were round 6 winner Matt Ridgway, Bradley Tranter, Luke Newman and Aaron Colley.

Jack Timms(28) battling with Kieran Banks in 125cc

In almost a repeat performance, Timms then also led Saturday’s moto two for most of the duration until Whatley took control with just a couple of laps remaining. With all of the main opening race finishers in contention again, Jordan Wright and Tomos Wright finished inside the top ten. On the podium it was Whatley from Timms and Banks, returning to action after missing round six due to a Covid infection. In the 125cc Championship table, Tranter in 5^th overall on day one was now leading the way and proudly displaying the red plate.

Whilst Whatley started day two with a classy gate to flag win, the battle behind him for the right to finish runner-up was simply epic! For just about the entire duration, Tranter, Newman, Banks, Ridgway and Timms locked horns. Three laps from home and the super smooth Banks made his move and even closed rapidly on leader Whatley in the closing stages. After gating 8^th and missing out on the early 125cc party, Bayliss also became involved in the fun and on an absolute mission even got right up to claim 3^rd at the chequered flag, what a moto!

Kristian Whatley leading Kieran Banks in 125cc

With Whatley deciding to sit out the last two moto’s of the weekend, Bayliss won Sunday’s second clash which was shortened due to a red flag incident. Signing off in style though, the final clash of the event was another thriller. Timms, Ridgway and then eventual winner Banks all led the way as Bayliss had a great ride coming through from an early 12^th to snatch 2^nd ahead of Ridgway, Timms, Jordan Wright and Joel Fisher. Crucially in this one, series leader Tranter had to settle for 11^th after initially finding himself down in 19^th early on. So on the day two podium it was Banks from Bayliss and Timms whilst in the title battle it’s Tranter leading on 831 points just 7 ahead of Banks with Ridgway in 3^rd.

Just two weeks before Brookthorpe, Youth 85cc series leader Oliver Rigby suffered a broken collarbone and his 44 point Championship advantage appeared to be in serious threat of being overturned. Bravely though Oliver refused to be defeated and after intensive treatment made the big decision to still compete at the weekend and what a very productive move that was to be. After earning 6^th overall on day one, he then bagged a remarkable podium spot and 3^rd on day two. That meant that he is still the series leader despite the very best efforts of rival Charlie Hucklebridge and a whole host of other riders.

Joining the Youth 85cc fun at Brookthorpe was Wildcard rider Ollie Bubb and he was to win moto one from gate to flag with Hucklebridge, Wyatt McGregor, Rigby, Jack Evans and Tyler Smith chasing hard. In the second one, Bubb again controlled all the way ahead of Hucklebridge as this time Jack Davis took 4^th with Rheanna Morgan-Rogers also in the mix. Those results meant that it was Bubb, Hucklebridge and Wyatt McGregor on the Saturday podium.

In a very determined mood to further close that gap at the top of the standings, Hucklebridge won both of Sunday’s opening two moto’s ahead of Bubb but crucially Rigby dug deep and showed great composure to get home in 3^rd. Looking to make it a round 8 hat-trick, Hucklebridge also led the final clash of the weekend until two laps from home before the determined Bubb on his GasGas came through. Yet again the brave Rigby was 3^rd with Smith, Evans, McGregor and Linc Hasted next up. In the title race, it’s now Rigby on 859 points from Hucklebridge 845 and Davis 747.

It’s also very tight in the battle for the Small-Wheel 85cc honours with Harley Prickett now 6 points clear of Oakley Kettle and Harrison Davies in 3^rd.

All riders now have just two weeks off before the next round at Long Lane and with the Championship approaching the serious business end, let’s see who can show the composure, deal with the added pressure and get the required results to finally seal those 2021 titles!

Saturday – Round 7

MX1

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2
1	Josh Waterman	97	50	47
2	Luke Hawkins	93	43	50
3	Ashley Greedy	90	45	45
4	James Dodd	90	47	43
5	Luke Dean	74	33	41
6	Jamie Skuse	74	35	39
7	Luke Burton	71	41	30
8	Luke Meredith	68	37	31
9	Josh Taylor	65	28	37
10	Adam Chatfield	61	39	22
11	Damon Strydom	57	31	26
12	Mark Young	55	22	33
13	Will Hughes	55	26	29
14	Jayden Ashwell	54	30	24
15	Harvey Tillotson	53	25	28
16	Adam Wells	51	24	27
17	Zac Stealey	49	14	35
18	Jimmy Margetson	49	29	20
19	Mark Roberts	48	27	21
20	Henry Partridge	46	23	23
21	James Mackrel	41	16	25
22	Rhys Walker	39	20	19
23	Benjamin Nicholls	37	19	18
24	Rory Merchant	34	18	16
25	Jack Griffiths	32	17	15
26	Adam Harris	21	21	–
27	Ted Bailey	17	–	17
28	Chris Neesam	15	15	–

MX2

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2
1	Shane Carless	100	50	50
2	Neville Bradshaw	94	47	47
3	Henry Williams	90	45	45
4	Rossi Beard	86	43	43
5	Rory Jones	80	39	41
6	Harry Linton	76	41	35
7	Josh Coleman	74	35	39
8	Lewis Dowdeswell	74	37	37
9	Lee Truman	63	30	33
10	James Hanscomb	62	31	31
11	Brooklyn Evans	59	29	30
12	Sean Eckersley	54	25	29
13	Max Lewis	53	27	26
14	Martin Jones	53	28	25
15	Adam Hill	52	24	28
16	Mitchell Perry	46	26	20
17	Macauley Davies	45	21	24
18	Joe Russell	44	22	22
19	Keelan Southwood	43	16	27
20	Aaron Collins	42	19	23
21	Patrick Gilligan	41	23	18
22	Troy Jones	39	18	21
23	Joshua Barnett	36	17	19
24	Cory Mcshane	33	33	–
25	Joe Haskayne	20	20	–

125’s

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2
1	Kristian Whatley	100	50	50
2	Jack Timms	92	45	47
3	Kieran Banks	90	47	43
4	Mathew Bayliss	88	43	45
5	Bradley Tranter	80	39	41
6	Matt Ridgway	80	41	39
7	Luke Newman	74	37	37
8	Aaron Colley	70	35	35
9	Jordan Wright	64	31	33
10	Tom Fish	63	33	30
11	tomos wright	58	27	31
12	Clinton Barrs	57	28	29
13	Yarin Evans	53	25	28
14	Joel Fisher	51	29	22
15	Toby English	50	23	27
16	Ezra Blackwell	50	24	26
17	Jordan Ridgway	50	26	24
18	Stuart Owen	50	30	20
19	Callum Baldwin	45	22	23
20	Jordan Meredith	43	18	25
21	Olly Hathaway	42	21	21
22	Conner Challinor	38	20	18
23	Mitchell Gregory	35	16	19
24	Oliver Barnes	35	19	16
25	Tom Cumber	32	15	17
26	Jake O Gorman	29	14	15
27	Chad Prosser	17	17	–
28	Mitchell Hartill	14	–	14
29	Joshua Fletcher-Williams	13	13	–

Vets

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2
1	Phil Mercer	100	50	50
2	James Lane	94	47	47
3	Gary Davies	90	45	45
4	Paul Burn	84	41	43
5	Simon Lane	84	43	41
6	Sean Smith	78	39	39
7	Andrew Watkins	72	37	35
8	Gareth Dunsford	63	33	30
9	Andrew Marchant	62	25	37
10	Brian Staples	62	29	33
11	Richard Tudor	60	31	29
12	Kevin Sanders	60	35	25
13	Ryan Thomas	56	28	28
14	Matthew Evans	54	27	27
15	Matthew Chaplin	52	21	31
16	Stephen Hurst	52	26	26
17	Mark Hawkins	49	30	19
18	Russell Hartill	46	22	24
19	Gary Hurst	41	24	17
20	Steve Ferney	40	18	22
21	Guy Langmead	39	16	23
22	Dale Hunt	39	19	20
23	Andrew Prosser	38	17	21
24	Stephen Sankey	38	20	18
25	David Bullock	31	15	16
26	Robert Prosser	23	23	–
27	Russell Hurst	14	14	–

85’s

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2
1	Ollie Bubb	100	50	50
2	Charlie Hucklebridge	94	47	47
3	Wyatt McGregor	86	45	41
4	Tyler Smith	84	39	45
5	Jack Evans	80	41	39
6	Oliver Rigby	76	43	33
7	Jack Davis	73	30	43
8	Logan Jay Powell	72	37	35
9	Oakley Kettle	65	35	30
10	Sion Wright	64	33	31
11	Rheanna Morgan-Rogers	60	23	37
12	Linc Hasted	60	31	29
13	Alfie Bebb	57	29	28
14	Rylee Francis	55	28	27
15	Harrison Davies	52	26	26
16	Harley Prickett	52	27	25
17	Oliver Bebb	48	24	24
18	Logan Chinnock	48	25	23
19	George Bromley	43	22	21
20	Conrad Tomlinson	41	19	22
21	Tyler Cooper	40	20	20
22	Tremaine Young	21	21	–

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Sunday – Round 8

MX1

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Luke Hawkins	141	41	50	50
2	Josh Waterman	140	50	43	47
3	Ashley Greedy	137	45	47	45
4	James Dodd	135	47	45	43
5	Josh Taylor	113	37	37	39
6	Jamie Skuse	111	35	35	41
7	Mark Young	105	39	29	37
8	Zac Stealey	101	33	33	35
9	Luke Dean	95	31	31	33
10	Luke Meredith	94	29	39	26
11	Damon Strydom	87	26	30	31
12	Jayden Ashwell	87	30	27	30
13	Luke Burton	84	43	41	–
14	Will Hughes	83	28	26	29
15	Adam Wells	76	25	24	27
16	Henry Partridge	74	21	25	28
17	Rhys Walker	70	23	22	25
18	Rory Merchant	63	19	21	23
19	Jack Griffiths	59	18	19	22
20	Jimmy Margetson	55	27	28	–
21	Harvey Tillotson	47	24	23	–
22	Benjamin Nicholls	42	–	18	24
23	Chris Neesam	40	20	20	–
24	Adam Harris	22	22	–	–

MX2

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Shane Carless	147	47	50	50
2	Neville Bradshaw	144	50	47	47
3	Rossi Beard	133	45	45	43
4	Harry Linton	123	43	41	39
5	Henry Williams	121	33	43	45
6	Lewis Dowdeswell	113	39	37	37
7	Rory Jones	111	31	39	41
8	Lee Truman	105	35	35	35
9	Martin Jones	99	37	29	33
10	Max Lewis	90	26	33	31
11	Brooklyn Evans	87	30	27	30
12	Mitchell Perry	85	28	28	29
13	Sean Eckersley	84	29	31	24
14	Adam Hill	81	24	30	27
15	Patrick Gilligan	79	25	26	28
16	Keelan Southwood	73	22	25	26
17	Macauley Davies	68	23	24	21
18	Josh Coleman	66	41	–	25
19	Joshua Barnett	64	19	22	23
20	Troy Jones	63	21	20	22
21	Aaron Collins	63	20	23	20
22	Joe Russell	58	18	21	19
23	James Hanscomb	27	27	–	–

125’s

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Kieran Banks	142	47	45	50
2	Mathew Bayliss	142	45	50	47
3	Jack Timms	129	39	47	43
4	Matt Ridgway	119	41	33	45
5	Bradley Tranter	116	43	43	30
6	Joel Fisher	113	35	39	39
7	Jordan Wright	109	37	31	41
8	Jordan Ridgway	101	29	37	35
9	Luke Newman	101	33	35	33
10	Clinton Barrs	97	30	30	37
11	Callum Baldwin	82	27	24	31
12	Toby English	82	26	27	29
13	Yarin Evans	81	28	25	28
14	tomos wright	76	24	26	26
15	Olly Hathaway	73	23	23	27
16	Jake O Gorman	72	19	28	25
17	Aaron Colley	72	31	41	–
18	Ezra Blackwell	68	25	20	23
19	Tom Fish	68	22	29	17
20	Oliver Barnes	66	21	21	24
21	Joshua Fletcher-Williams	60	16	22	22
22	Jordan Meredith	57	18	18	21
23	Tom Cumber	54	17	17	20
24	Mitchell Gregory	52	15	19	18
25	Kristian Whatley	50	50	–	–
26	Mitchell Hartill	49	14	16	19
27	Conner Challinor	20	20	–	–

Vets

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Phil Mercer	150	50	50	50
2	Gary Davies	141	47	47	47
3	James Lane	135	45	45	45
4	Simon Lane	129	43	43	43
5	Paul Burn	123	41	41	41
6	Sean Smith	111	33	39	39
7	Andrew Watkins	109	39	33	37
8	Andrew Marchant	105	37	35	33
9	Brian Staples	99	31	37	31
10	Matthew Chaplin	94	28	31	35
11	Ryan Thomas	91	35	29	27
12	Gareth Dunsford	89	30	30	29
13	Richard Tudor	82	24	28	30
14	Russell Hartill	80	25	27	28
15	Steve Ferney	78	27	26	25
16	Guy Langmead	54	29	25	–
17	Gary Hurst	50	–	24	26
18	Stephen Sankey	47	–	23	24
19	Dale Hunt	45	23	22	–
20	Matthew Evans	26	26	–	–
21	Stephen Hurst	22	22	–	–

85’s

Pos	Competitor	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Charlie Hucklebridge	147	50	50	47
2	Ollie Bubb	144	47	47	50
3	Oliver Rigby	135	45	45	45
4	Tyler Smith	115	33	39	43
5	Jack Davis	112	43	41	28
6	Linc Hasted	111	39	35	37
7	Jack Evans	109	31	37	41
8	Wyatt McGregor	106	24	43	39
9	Sion Wright	103	37	33	33
10	Alfie Bebb	102	41	31	30
11	Logan Jay Powell	98	35	28	35
12	Rheanna Morgan-Rogers	89	30	30	29
13	Rylee Francis	85	28	26	31
14	Harley Prickett	83	29	27	27
15	Harrison Davies	76	27	23	26
16	Oakley Kettle	76	25	29	22
17	Logan Chinnock	69	21	24	24
18	Will Turner	68	18	25	25
19	Oliver Bebb	68	26	19	23
20	Josh Lansbury	65	22	22	21
21	George Bromley	60	20	20	20
22	Tremaine Young	60	23	18	19
23	Tyler Cooper	52	17	17	18
24	Conrad Tomlinson	40	19	21	–