News

Maxxis ACU Motocross season 2011 Under: Maxxis Sport on 05 March 2011

This weekend (5th and 6th March) sees the opening round of the ACU Maxxis British Championship at Little Silver near to Exeter, all eyes will focus on who will come out swinging at the superb hillside circuit situated at the southern end of the M5. The high-speed technical circuit is one of the more weather-proof venues in the UK which makes it the ideal location for the opening round of the Championship after the action-packed racing which was seen at the venue last year.

This year's opening round of the series will be the first chance for the British fans to see the best of British Motocross battle it out around a slightly shortened circuit for 2011. During the winter months, members of the Little Silver Club have been working on the final touches to the revamped hillside circuit. The work done to the track has allowed for the opening of a new spectator area in the centre of the circuit which will became an ideal location for fans to get up close to the action, as the riders battle for early championship advantages.

Coming into the opening round reigning MX2 champion Zach Osborne has to start the season as favourite to retain his championship with one of his strongest contenders being his new team mate Arnaud Tonus who has already tasted podium success in 2010, during a one off wild card ride at Mallory Park. Twice British vice Champion Jake Nicholls will be coming into the 2011 with a strong focus on making the British MX2 title his own and after spending the last month leading up to the event in New Zealand training with Josh Coppins. Other British front
runners looking to make a strong start to the season will be Elliott Banks Browne on his DB Honda, Samsung Yamaha's Ray Rowson who is returning to the MX2 class after spending the last few years in MX1, whilst riders like Bryan Mackenzie, Steven Clarke and Scott Elderfield will also be looking for strong results to start the year.

In the MX1 class the firm favourite for championship glory has to be CCM's Stephen Sword after he pushed 2010 champion Bobryshev hard all season long, while at the first two rounds former 2008 MX2 British Champion Shaun Simpson will be competing in preparation for his debut season in MX1 with the Belgium based LS Motors team. This will give the British fans a chance see Shaun in action before he heads off to the GP's as he continues his quest for World Championship honours. Brad Anderson the 2009 MX1 champion will also be many fans favourite to regain the championship title which he lost last year, as he returns to being the underdog. Stephen Sword's CCM team mate Tom Church also comes into the season in strong form after recently claiming both the British Open Supercross and Pro SX1 Championship titles over the winter months. Other riders that hope to feature highly in the results are Jason Dougan who will be returning to GP racing in 2011 with the Bike It Cosworth Wild Wolf Yamaha squad. Martin Barr has made the switch to MX1 with the Proppa KTM team racing the new 350 machine
and will be looking for top honours.

Action at Little Silver will commence at 9am with the MX2 practice and qualifying session and the first race of the season will leave the start line at noon. For more information on the opening round and the whole of the Maxxis British hampionship visit the official championship website www.mxgb.co.uk.