Season opener. MX1 and MX2 AMCA Championships
May 29, 2008
British Summer time. There’s nothing better. Tell that to the fleet of MX1 and MX2 AMCA Championship riders who jumped in their vans and made the trip to Cleobury Mortimer for the opening round of the AMCA championships over the bank holiday weekend.
Despite scorching sunshine on Saturday evening, a perfectly prepped track, more sponsors and manufacturers than you could shake a stick at and a fireworks display to rival the millennium New Year celebrations if the weather doesn’t want to play ball come race day there just ain’t much you can do.
As daylight broke on Sunday morning things just didn’t seem the same. Rather than the finely graded powdery delight that had warmed hearts on Saturday night a pile of brown sticky slop awaited.
Not deterred the MX1 and 2 boys got down to business and gave it 100% and with the much anticipated return to multi time AMCA champ Gary Davies the potential for a thriving championship series was good. The AMCA championship has become a title really worth its weight over recent years with quality riders and genuine talent making the jump from the ACU to contest for silverware.
A good crowd braved the conditions and despite the relentless tirade of rain the racing was solid throughout.
MX1
David Campbell from the drop of the gate ran and hid and despite a mid race charge by Gary Davies and a few genuine attempts to steal the lead Campbell was on fire and wasn’t fazed by ensuing Davies. The conditions meant that goggles were just a formality and a few laps in most goggles were left lying in hedges. Davies suffered particularly badly from this and fell back and was quickly swallowed up by an on form Ben Saunders.
Image by Nuno Laranjeira
Campbell, Saunders and Davies held there positions for a one, two, three finish whilst Brad O’Leary, Tom Fish and AMCA favourite Charlie Hollis squabbled for fourth, fifth and sixth. Brad O’Leary managing the edge on Fish for fourth spot. MX2 champ Rick Du’feu seemed to struggle with conditions and could only manage a ninth place finish.
Race 2 was a similar affair, with Gary Davies proving he more than had what it takes, not losing any of his ability, and stretched to a dominant race win. Getting in front and staying in front was the only way to keep the eyes balls clean and Davies was determined to avoid the eye bath a second time around.
David Campbell held on for second place to get the overall whilst Brad O ‘Leary and Rick Du’Feu squabbled for third. O’Leary managing the edge for a hard fought third place. Hollis, Saunders and Clinton Barrs rounded out the top seven and put some important points in the bag.
MX2
Old hand Phil Mercer proved that age truly is just a number and put in another dominating display with two faultless race wins.
Image by Nuno Laranjeira
As Mercer enjoyed himself at the front Matt Porter, lee Dunham and Dale Halls fought hard second, third and fourth respectively. Ex British champ rider Andy Marchant put on a good display to finish his first Moto in 8th spot.
Race 2 again saw the Mercer show in full flow whilst Scott Mathia and Lee Dunham kept the action close for second and third spots. Dunham just managing to hold the edge over Mathia for second.
Sadly the scheduled third block of racing was halted due to the persistent rain. Track conditions were near impossible and many riders were concerned with safety due to the wet stuff. Despite the relentless weather the racing was top notch and in both MX1 and 2 there is potential for round winners right through the field. A lot of riders want this title on their mantles and if round one is anything to go by the ensuing rounds are going to be gripping stuff.
Special thanks go to the Wolverhampton and District club for putting on one awesome championship event and truly raising the bar for future AMCA events. The AMCA championship will undoubtedly become stronger and become a championship series to be reckoned with.
Report by MOTO reporter Simon Lacey
Podium image by http://www.Foto-x.co.uk
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