Harri Kullas began the defence of his Michelin MX National Pro MX1 title, at Oakhanger, Hampshire for the Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha team. The same track where one week before, Harri dominated the Revo British Championship.
After heavy overnight rain, the track was very difficult and Harri posted the 8th fastest time in qualifying. Harri got the holeshot in race one and led for 2 laps, before Conrad Mewse went past. A small technical fault meant that Harri had to nurse his machine home, with 4 laps to go, for a safe second place.
In race two, Harri was second off the line this time, behind Mewse. Mewse pulled a gap and Harri settled again for another second place, on a track that was rough and challenging.
Harri Kullas – “Overall a good day – Obviously was second and second and nowadays when I’m second, I don’t feel really happy! But still a decent day for sure. Weather was crazy overnight which made everything extra challenging. But we have another solid weekend of riding and tested some new parts which was good. I didn’t have anything for Conrad today, but looking forward to next weekend at Canada Heights”
Tough day for Carpenter
Jamie Carpenter kicked off his Michelin MX National Pro MX1 campaign at Oakhanger, Hampshire, for round one of the 2023 series – A series where Jamie was crowned Pro MX2 champion in 2022.
Jamie started well in race one, inside the top six, but then a fall on lap three saw him drop to tenth, leaving him to play catch up for the whole race for an eventual ninth place finish.
Another good start in race two saw Jamie in sixth place for the early laps, looking comfortable at the sharp end on the difficult track.
Sadly though, as it looked like Jamie was heading for another top ten finish, his race ended on lap seven as he was forced to retire with a mechanical issue.
Frustrating day for Sam Nunn
Sam Nunn was looking to build on a decent start to the season at the deep sand of Oakhanger in Hampshire and turn good speed into top results.
Sam qualified really well in Pro MX2, with the third fastest time, and then had a great start in race one, holding first place in the MX2 class early on, before a crash cost him thirty seconds and a whole host of places. Sam’s persistence earnt him seventh place at the finish.
Another good start in race two and Sam was once again the lead MX2 pilot, before another crash put him out of the race altogether.
Sam Nunn – “Very frustrating day – really felt good one the bike and was happy with my speed, but crashed in both races while leading. First race managed to come back through the pack, but second race I crashed hard and the bike was too bent to continue. Really disappointed but we will keep our heads up going into the next weekend”