Yamaha Motorcycles

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

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 2nd 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.

Phil Mercer Vets

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 2nd 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 3rd 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 5th 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 3rd, Waterman was working very hard to come from 9th up to 4th 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.

Nev Bradshaw in MX2

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 8th place in this one, the top seven being filled by Beard, Linton, Coleman, Dowdeswell and Martin Jones as title contender Williams got home in 9th. 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 2nd 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.

Shane Carless

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 4th, 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 5th overall on day one was now leading the way and proudly displaying the red plate.

Matthew Bayliss 125cc

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 8th 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 3rd 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 12th to snatch 2nd ahead of Ridgway, Timms, Jordan Wright and Joel Fisher. Crucially in this one, series leader Tranter had to settle for 11th after initially finding himself down in 19th 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 3rd.

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 6th overall on day one, he then bagged a remarkable podium spot and 3rd 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.

Kieran Banks 125cc

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 4th with Rheanna Morgan-Rogers also in the mix. Those results meant that it was Bubb, Hucklebridge and Wyatt McGregor on the Saturday podium.

Charlie Hucklebridge Youth 85cc

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 3rd. 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 3rd 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.

Rossi Beard

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 3rd.

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!

Lewis Dowdeswell

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

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