MMX Under 21’s - Carless grabs honours at Hawkstone
July 01, 2008
The fourth round of the MMX Under 21’s Championship took place at the famous Hawkstone Park circuit which regularly hosts the International every year. Alex Snow currently leads the championship but has Kristian Whatley two points behind, with Ashley Greedy in third just 22 points behind Whatley. In the qualifying session it was Alex Snow on his KTM UK machine that set the fastest time. Daniel Arnold was second fastest on his Pioneer Emberson Yamaha, with the PAR Homes Honda rider Shane Carless in third.
Shane Carless is chasing the title for 2008
In the opening race it was Jamie Smith onboard his L.P.E Kawasaki that emerged from the trees first, with Carless, Richie Worrall and Snow in pursuit. Carless was soon looking to get passed though and on the second lap he succeeded in doing this, and would go on to take the victory. Meanwhile Smith held second for most of the race until a slight mistake which dropped him back behind Snow. Meanwhile an interesting battle was going on behind with some seven riders battling in close proximity. Robert Hamilton it was who was lying fourth until a mistake which allowed several riders past. Joe Dark inherited fourth, but had Whatley closely behind who had recovered from an early race crash which had seen him down in 15th place. Dark held out though with Whatley behind, Mathew Moffat, Daniel Arnold and Ashley Greedy.
As always Hawkstone produces great racing
In the second race Carless managed to grab the holeshot and would go on to take his second victory of the day, as well as the overall on the day. David Goosen was second on the start followed by Dark, Greedy and Snow. Goosen encountered problems on the second lap and would go on to DNF the race. Dark took second place for a couple of laps but was soon passed by Greedy who set on catching Carless. Snow crashed the machine momentarily which allowed Hamilton, Graeme Irwin, Whatley and Alan Keet through. By mid race Snow had regained those positions and set on catching Dark. As the two were battling they began to catch Greedy, which enabled a three race battle for second. Greedy held on to second by just under half a second from Dark, with Snow settling for fourth. Keet came home in fifth with his team mate Hamilton behind.
100% concentration from the Snowy
Results
1 68 Shane Carless 50 25 25
2 31 Alex Snow 40 22 18
3 19 Joseph Dark 38 18 20
4 33 Ashley Greedy 35 13 22
5 17 Kristen Whatley 29 16 13
6 52 Alan Keet 28 12 16
7 84 Matthew Moffat 27 15 12
8 150 Robert Hamilton 26 11 15
9 71 Daniel Arnold 22 14 8
10 32 Jamie Smith 20 20 --
Report and Images by MOTO reporter Stuart Cawse
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