Team Chambers made their way back down to Oakhanger, Hampshire for the long awaited first round of the Michelin Mx Nationals. Due to the previous date being cancelled due to bad weather.
Images courtesy of Elliot Spencer
Holding on to hope for some dry weather didn’t seem to work, as the track had considerable rain throughout the week with more to come on the Saturday evening.
Start time of the Sunday race schedule was pushed back to 10am due to the persistent rain. Giving the track crew time to try work some of their magic.
Proceedings finally got under way with the Pro Fastest 40 going out for qualifying.
With a fresh prepped track the lads didn’t hang around before putting in some fast laps. MX1 see Tom 6th & Dan 11th. MX2 Qualifying had Ben in 10th with Alfie sitting it out. Normally we would have Glenn amongst the MX2 however due to an unfortunate tweak of his knee the previous weekend, On doctors advise he missed this round but will be back next weekend.
Onto the first Pro fastest 40 race, Tom had the best start out of the lads in the combined race. Ben following not too far behind Tom, Whilst Dan and Alfie struggled with their starts. Despite Ben’s good start he struggled the first 2 laps with a few minor mistakes but bought himself back up the pack to end 8th. Tom being amongst the top runners gained some vital places throughout the race showing his capable speed to end up 5th. Pushing aside his bad start Dan plugged his way through the field with a few mishaps along route, he showed brilliant resilience ending in 12th. Alfie had a flying race and managed to get himself to 5th at the flag.
Pro Fastest 40 Race 2, Tom had a good start again along with Dan. Both within the top 10 at the first corner, Ben being just a few spots behind. Alfie unfortunately was more or less near the back of the pack after first corner.
At this point, the track was subjected to more rain. It was soon turning into who could stay on the longest test. Tom Seem’s to be gelling well with the 450 and produced some steady but good laps which ended in a 6th place finish. Dan thrived more in the wetter condition of the track and picked off riders one by one ending him just behind Tom in 7th. Ben had the better laps of the MX2 guys and stayed upright to give him a well deserved 5th finish. Meanwhile Alfie was just trying to finish the race with no goggles and a face fall of sand but managed to secure 9th.
We also had Harvey in the Expert MX2 race, making his move up from the youth ranks. Harvey raced Saturday as well, luckily when the sun was out.
Going 13th & 10th in the first two races. On to Sunday, the track being considerable much more wet they decided to cut the 2 race schedule to just one. Despite the extremely wet track, Avery put in strong riding to finish 9th. A 9th overall for the weekend.
MX1 Overall
Tom 6th
Dan 8th
MX2 Overall
Ben 5th
Alfie 7th
The conclusion is Oakhanger is one hell of a track and we can only imagine what it would be like in the dry. A big thank you to all involved in the preparation and organisation over the last 2 weeks to get us to go racing. With out these teams facilitating new tracks, UK racing would be at a standstill.
Next event for the Chambers lads is this weekend for the Second round of Revo British Championship at Canada heights, Swanley Kent.
