The curtain came down on one of the most exciting Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championships in recent years in dramatic style, as Elliott Banks Browne (HM Plant KTM UK) managed to overturn a 16 point deficit to clinch victory in the MX2 class, while a second place finish in the opening moto was enough to hand the MX1 title to Kevin Strijbos.
Banks Browne and Pocock had swapped the lead throughout the eight-round series and while the first MX2 moto of the season finale at Little Silver, near Exeter went to Banks Browne, Pocock (Monster Energy Bike It Yamaha) won the second encounter leaving just a one-point gap between them going into the decider. Banks Browne was lying second and Pocock fifth when Banks Browne fell on the last lap and although his rival did his utmost to capitalise on this turn of events, at the chequered flag Pocock was three seconds adrift leaving Banks Browne to claim his first major British title.
In the final races of the MX1 class Shaun Simpson posted two wins and a second place in a bid to keep his championship hopes alive, but it was not enough to prevent Strijbos – who was the outright winner at the previous three rounds (Desertmartin, Hawkstone Park and Langrish) – lifting the title, giving the HM Plant KTM UK team the double.
2012 proved to be a challenging year for the Maxxis sponsored teams, during which they showed good pace and posted some solid results, although injury and illness made it difficult for them to achieve consistency. However, the season ended on a high note as 17-year-old Connor Walkley – 17th overall out of 47 riders in the MX2 class for Maxxis Henderson LPE Kawasaki – moved up a gear, contesting the MX1 class at the final round.
Finishing in 12th place in his first MX1 race in the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship, Walkley showed he is more than capable of coping with the KX450F and his prospects for success in 2013 are extremely exciting. The team was further buoyed by the efforts of guest rider Steven Lenoir, who finished ninth on the day in the MX2 class and sixth in the championship standings.
In 2013 Maxxis celebrates ten years as title sponsor of the British Championship, so was delighted to see it is so well-supported by a Veterans championship, the MXY2 youth series and the new MXY85 competition. British motocross also continues to broaden its appeal, reaching an even bigger TV audience in 2012 thanks to the superb Sky Sports coverage.
Having backed the factory Kawasaki MX squad for the past five years, Maxxis is extending the partnership and significantly increasing its investment in the team, which will compete as Maxxis Kawasaki by LPE next season. Team manager Steve James is already laying the foundations for 2013 and has boosted his rider line-up with the signing of two-time British motocross champion Brad Anderson.
Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin said: “With so many riders now adopting and recommending Maxxis tyres, it is only natural that our target is success in the British Championship for which we are title sponsor.
“We value the commitment, support and loyalty that Steve James and the team have shown over the past five years, and in 2013 they will have the structure, paddock presence and budget to attract the highest calibre of riders. Like all MX fans, we look forward with eager anticipation to next season.”
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