WORDS AND PICS BY MIKE WOOD.

   Hot on the heels of his super RBPN win, MBO Sport Yamaha rider Kristian Whatley was again successful at the weekend as he topped the Pro MX1 charts during round two of the AMCA Wulfsport British Masters,staged at the iconic Foxhill circuit in Wiltshire.On the gas right from the off and after posting the fastest qualification time,Kristian then blasted to a brace of very strong moto wins.Over in Pro MX2,the very rapid Graeme Irwin and Neville Bradshaw shared the victories.However with Irwin also suffering a moto two DNF, it was Bradshaw who took home the overall spoils.On another weekend of top class Masters action,Bradley Wheeler (Pirelli MX2) and Harry Kimber (Putoline Mini-Masters SW85cc) were the only other riders to join Whatley on a maximum points score.Incredibly Wheeler after eight completed races in the Masters series is yet to suffer defeat,what a record!!.

   Back to the those Battery Energy Drink supported Pro clashes though,and what a treat the opening MX1 contest served up!!. Doubling up, it was Putoline Honda star Neville Bradshaw who led the charge with Brad Anderson, Whatley, Josh Waterman, Luke Hawkins and Jamie Law in tow.Two laps in and Ando had hit the front but his joy was to be very short lived!!.Entering a Foxhill rut and with now Whatley and early leader Bradshaw right on his rear fender,the chain flicked off his Kawasaki’s rear sprocket. With Whatley sharing that same rut and forced into evasive action it thus allowed a surprised Bradshaw back into pole position!!.Whilst Brad frantically hooked his chain back on,dropping right back to 22^nd in the process,at the front and within a further lap Whatley was moving smartly past Bradshaw and into the lead!!. From here onwards,Whatley controlled all the way to the chequered flag and take the win from Bradshaw as Graeme Irwin took a super 3^rd after initially gating 10^th and then earlier being forced to fight off the very determined duo of Waterman and Hawkins.In a class encounter, Ross Rutherford, Gert Krestinov, Law, Ashley Wilde and Scott Elderfield were all right in the mix throughout.

   Although Matt Moffat grabbed the Pro MX1 moto two holeshot, that man Whatley was quickly in control and there he remained to earn himself another winners cheque. Right from the off,a very determined Anderson gave chase, being just over six seconds down at the flag as Bradshaw got home in 3^rd,Irwin 4^th and Hawkins after starting 10^th taking a fine 5^th.The ride of this moto though came from Krestinov who blasted from 16^th on lap one and thus earn a storming 6^th ahead of Law,Moffat,Waterman and Elderfield.After his double victory in the Masters R1 at Preston back in March,young Nathan Watson finished 11^th in moto two following an opening race DNF.

   Not enjoying the best of Foxhill fortunes,Watson was also forced out of the opening Pro MX2 contest on lap two when holding 4^th spot behind Graeme Irwin,Bryan Mackenzie and Nev Bradshaw.With Watson out,the impressive Lewis Toombs moved up the leaderboard. At the front though there was no stopping the very rapid Heads and All Threads Suzuki pilot Irwin who blasted to a big victory,nine seconds ahead of a titanic,full throttle tussle for 2^nd in which Bradshaw just edged out Mackenzie.Completing the top ten in moto one were Toombs,Lewis Tricket,Adam Sterry,Robert Davidson,Matt Moffat,Dan Thornhill and Jamie Skuse.

   Bradshaw was certainly very quick out of the blocks in Pro MX2 moto two as he led the charge with Irwin,Watson, Mackenzie,Sterry and Thornhill giving chase whilst AMCA Championship rider Ryan Morris was right in the mix and holding a super 8^th.Three laps in and Irwin slipped back to 4^th as Mackenzie moved up to slot into 2^nd with Watson 3^rd.That leaderboard was to then change yet again as Irwin’s Suzuki ground to a halt,thus signalling the end of his participation.Up front with Bradshaw in total control and cruising,all eyes were now focussed on the battle for 2^nd as Mackenzie and Watson locked horns.Lap seven,and Watson scorched past the Scotsman but could he now catch the runaway leader Bradshaw??.Well,the young HM Plant KTM UK rider gave it a real go,dramatically closing the gap to  finish just two seconds down at the flag.As Mackenzie took 3^rd,Toombs had another super ride to bag 4^th and with it the final podium spot.Also impressive was young Sterry in 5^th as Moffat took 6^th,Luke Norris 7^th and Lewis Gregory,campaigning a 125cc two-stroke Yamaha 8^th.After his fine start,Morris was also in the frame with 9^th whilst a notable non-scorer in this race was Thornhill who disappeared from proceedings on lap five when holding 8^th.

    After taking a great 7^th overall in the Pro MX2 class,young Robert Davidson also competed in the GSP Race Products Youth MX2 class.In this contest although Robert did take the overall win he also had to share the moto wins with Liam Knight who matched him score for score.Taking 3^rd overall was Curtis Blamey ahead of round one victor Jamie Ellis,Loukas Maggio and Chase Neale.

     Despite having recently switched from Suzuki  to KTM machinery,Tyron Cleaver got the combined Putoline Mini-Masters contest at Foxhill off to a flyer by taking victory in moto one.In the BW85cc class,eventual overall winner Joe Jeffries was first past the post in moto two before Jay Hague took control for maximum points on Sunday.As Cleaver went on to claim the second step on the podium,Hague had to settle for 3^rd following a disastrous 26^th place finish during moto one.In the Putoline SW85cc clashes,Harry Kimber was the star performer with a perfect maximum points haul as Ben Burridge and Archie Osmaston were the next best.  

   Another doubling up rider,Daniel Hutchinson,took top slot in the Muk Junkie Amateur MX1 contest although unlike round one at Preston,he did not totally dominate.On day one at Foxhills,Joe Jones was the double moto victor before sitting out Sunday’s racing to concentrate on his Pro MX1 duties.So with Jones absent and although Hutchinson then scored both wins,there was still to be plenty of great MX1 action with Chad Yarranton,Alexander Hussey,Luke Meredith and Jake Alsop right in the mix.On the podium it was Yarranton and Hussey standing alongside Hutchinson.

  Having recently switched to KTM machinery,Dan Thornhill tried out his new mount by competing in the www. Goggle-shop.com Amateur MX2 contest on day one,duly bagging both moto victories.However Dan then switched his attention to the Pro MX2 competition for the Sunday programme so it was George Clarke and Adam Wells who now stepped forward to blast to the moto victories.In the overall standings,Wells with a very solid 2/2/3/1 card took the top step on the box ahead of the equally consistent Richard Cannings who was struggling with a collarbone injury and Clarke.Zac Stealey,two-stroke TM ace Charles Statt and Jack Drogan completed the top six.

    What a contest the Pirelli MX1 class proved to be,including an incredible finish to moto three!!.After working his way up from 5^th,eventual overall winner Shaun Scrivens looked set for another victory until crashing on landing from the final uphill jump thus allowing both Anthony Milliar and Chris Povey through.Throughout the weekend,Povey on his 250cc two-stroke Suzuki had proved to be a serious contender,chasing Scrivens all the way.Whilst Scrivens was made to work very hard,what can you say about Pirelli MX2 winner Bradley Wheeler who was again simply superb!!. Winning all four clashes in style and romping to victory,Wheeler left Aidan Wigger to claim 2^nd and Steve Turvey 3^rd.

The new date is the original reserve date and has been moved to the fabulous Fatcat motoparc! The date is confirmed as the 27th and 28th July, which has been moved FROM the original 14th July date (the original date is now the reserve date).

The new venue is one of the best circuit in the UK and the entire venue will be taken over, which means the circuit will be fully exclusive for the Masters event over the 27th and 28th July!

 

PIRELLI ANNOUNCE MAJOR SPONSORSHIP OF AMCA BRITISH MASTERS MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP- INCLUDING PRIZES TO THE RICKY CARMICHAEL UNIVERSITY!

 Pirelli UK, Burton on Trent, UK – 31 January 2013 – Pirelli takes its 58 World MX title winning tyres to the popular AMCA Wulfsport British Masters Motocross Championship, becoming a major sponsor of the series. The agreement will see Pirelli running competitors given free tyres as prizes and three lucky riders a dream trip to the Ricky Carmichael University!

Pirelli has offered up a large number of their market leading Scorpion MX tyres as prizes for riders in the two main classes – which will now be known as Pirelli MX1 and Pirelli MX2. To support racers using Pirelli, the best performing riders will be eligible for these free tyres to keep down the cost of racing at this important grassroots series.

The Pirelli rider with the best results from these two classes and the exciting Youth Mini Masters division will be picked to spend time at the unique Ricky Carmichael University. Riders will get a fantastic riding experience with this US MX legend which can only help their future racing progression. The series will also benefit from a guest appearance from CLS Kawasaki and Pirelli MX star Tommy Searle, probably the UK’s most promising young rider.

The AMCA Wulfsport British Masters Championship has a long and proud history acting as a breeding ground for talented motocross riders. The depth of talent in both the MX1 and MX2 classes is arguably the strongest it’s been making for close, exciting racing. There has been a knock-on effect in the IMBA series as the AMCA has performed strongly on the International stage. The widely supported series boasts impressive entries and has been won by such motocross luminaries as Jamie Dobb, Brad Anderson and Tanel Leok.

Pirelli has an enviable heritage in Motocross with Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings notching the Italian brand’s latest World Championship crowns extending their tally to 58 World titles. The legendary Pirelli Scorpion MX tyres again took on and excelled in deep mud, energy sapping sand, loamy dirt and hard pack conditions around the World. With an extensive range of tyres for all ability levels, the Scorpion family have become the benchmark for novice to Pro riders.

Series organiser Ken Winstanley commented “It is a great privilege to be associated with Pirelli who manufacture the best Tyre as used by world champions. It is great to give the British Masters riders the opportunity to be part of this great prize package with the Pirelli Scorpion MX Tyres. I am looking forward to a long relationship working with Pirelli UK and look forward to the up and coming season”

Pirelli UK Off Road Racing Manager Barry Urand added, “We’re proud to be involved with the AMCA Wulfsport Masters Championship and thank Ken and his team for this opportunity. With generous prize allocations of Pirelli Scorpion tyres it’s good to know we are helping amateur racers with the running costs of motocross sport. The end of year prize of three places on the excellent Ricky Carmichael University really is the icing and a great opportunity, especially for all young, aspiring riders.”

2013 AMCA Wulfsport Masters Series dates  

Round 1 – 9 & 10 March – Preston Docks

Round 2 – 27 & 28 April – Foxhills

Round 3 – 25 & 26 May  – Whitby

Round 4 –  15 & 16 June – Hawkstone

Round 5 – 13 & 14 July – Bevercotes

Round 6 – 17 & 18 August – Brookthorpe

Round 7 – 7 & 8 September – Pontrilas

Reserve Date – 27 & 28 July

More information regarding Pirelli’s entire range of off-road and road tyres can be found at www.pirelli.co.uk/moto

Round 2 – 27 & 28 April – Foxhills

Round 3 – 25 & 26 May  – Whitby

Round 4 –  15 & 16 June – Hawkstone

Round 5 – 13 & 14 July – Bevercotes

Round 6 – 17 & 18 August – Brookthorpe

Round 7 – 7 & 8 September – Pontrilas

Reserve Date – 27 & 28 July – PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED FROM OCTOBER

These events will be available to book online from December 2012.

The event is set to be the best yet, so get booked in or make your way there this weekend!

Provisional Venues – Mallory, Foxhills, Whitby, Hawkstone, Pontrilas, Brookthorpe & Bevercotes

Round 1 – 9 & 10 March – Mallory Park

Round 2 – 27 & 28 April – Foxhills

Round 3 – 25 & 26 May  – Whitby

Round 4 –  15 & 16 June – Hawkstone

Round 5 – 13 & 14 July – Bevercotes

Round 6 – 17 & 18 August – Brookthorpe

Round 7 – 7 & 8 September – Pontrilas

Reserve Date – 12 & 13 October