Round Two Asham Woods
Round Two Gallery ......Hit the Link
MX3.. .........Qualification.......Race One......Race Two..............Overall
U23.............Qualification.......Race One......Race Two..............Overall
The popular and picturesque Asham Woods circuit nr Leighton in Somerset was the choice destination on Bank Holiday Monday for the second round of this years ACU Dunlop supported MX323 competition. The meeting being ably presented and extremely well handled by the Frome and DMCC on a generally grey day - but fully illuminated by the sheer brilliance of the days action in both the MX3 and Under 23 sections. The course proved to be a challenging mix of old school scrambles charm allied to a super fast lap that included a breathtaking seat of your pants up and downer through a dramatically steep wooded hillside section. The only unfortunate setback on the day - two lengthy stoppages for serious injuries to sidecar racers. One at the start of the meeting and one at what proved to be the close of the days proceedings resulting in one race each from the MX3 and Under 23s programmes having to be scratched.
The four races that were carded however produced a different winner in each on a day of truly stunning performances - John May on the Meredith Suzuki claiming the opening MX3 moto win holding off a strong challenge from both Ray Rowson on the PAR Honda and Jamie Law on the Lakeland Bikesport Suzuki. Alfie Smith put in a tremendous show to claim fourth place just ahead of top qualifier Jamie Lewis who finished in fifth.
In the second race of the day for
the MX3 guys John May really had his work cut out and had to battle
his way back into contention following a poor start. Jamie Lewis snatched
the holeshot from Ray Rowson in second with Jamie Law in third. As the
race unfolded it was obvious May had the bit well and truly between
his teeth as he reeled the leaders in and eventually finished in a flying
third place, and good enough to claim the overall win on the day. Jamie
Lewis won race two quite convincingly as Rowson faltered to eventually
finish in sixth as Jamie Law claimed second.
Overall on the day...1st John May 25+20 2nd Jamie
Law 20+22, 3rd Jamie Lewis 15+25
Current
Championship Standings 1, Ray Rowson 112 pts, 2 John
May 107, 3, Jamie Lewis 100 4 Jamie Law 97.
In the opening moto for the Under
23s Alan Keet proved his winning qualifiers time was no fluke by blasting
his way into an early lead that he held on to all the way to the chequered
flag with a full scale battle royal taking place in his wake. When the
final flag dropped for the rest Shane Carless had brilliantly piloted
the new AD Motorcycles KTM into second recovering from a first lap eleventh
place - and on the final lap Scott Elderfield got the better of Joe
Dark to snatch a dramatic third place in a tighter than tight finish.
In the second and what proved to be the final solo moto of the day Shane
Carless made absolutely no mistake as he lead through every turn to
claim the overall win going 2-1. Alan Keet took a superb second place
virtually untroubled to score second overall on the day with Scott Elderfield
again coming through to nail third place both in the race and in the
overall days standings.
Overall on the day 1st Shane Carless
22+25, 2nd Alan Keet 25+22, 3rd Scott Elderfield 20+20
Current
Championship standings 1 Scott Elderfield 115 pts,
2 Alan Keet 111, 3 Shane Carless 87.
The opening round of this years
Dunlop supported ACU MX323 series held at Little Silver at the end of
April proved to be a quality success. And with the very same combination
of MX3, Under 23's and sidecars about to go for it once again on Holiday
Monday May 31st at the popular Asham Woods circuit - the scene is all
set to produce another winning event and a great day out for all the
family. PAR Honda hotshots Ray Rowson and Scott Elderfield were the
more than worthy winners at the opening round - and once again in the
Under 23's section down in Somerset 17 year old Scott will be on the
start line for what is the second round of competition. The opening
round close quarters three-way battle between Scott, Moto One's super
quick KTM pilot Shane Carless and Alan Keet on the Suzuki proved to
be a totally compulsive watch at times and with the same trio in attendance
again there's every reason to believe round two will be just as exciting.
Other riders to look out for in the Under 23's line up include Lewis
Tombs, James Dodd, Josh Spinks, Ashley Wilde, and Matt Bayliss
In the MX3 Open class the main focus of attention at the sharp end in
the championship chase would seem to be a two way Suzuki affair as John
May on the Meredith sponsored machine squares up Lakeland Bikesports
Jamie Law. John May finished on the podium at round one in the runners
up position with Jamie in fourth just seven points adrift.
The circuit at Asham Woods Leighton nr Frome has been modified over
the past few years and the days racing for both of the MX323 classes
will be run over three 20 min races that will follow a timed qualification
session to determine gate position. The timetable of events will see
the sidecars go out first with racing due to commence at 11.30 am with
practise starting at 9.30 am.
Rowson and Elderfield both go Three under PAR
Round One Gallery ......Hit the Link
Results MX3 ......Qualification......Race One......Race Two......Race Three......Overall
Results U23.........Qualification......Race One......Race Two......Race Three......Overall
Rowson and Elderfield both Three under PAR
It has a brand new name for 2010 - as it's now titled the Dunlop MX323 British Championships. Also a somewhat different feel to the day with the racing programme running the same new shorter and sharper three legged 20 min moto affair, Ala Big Brother Maxxis. However with a delayed late April start to the series that is the replacement for last years MMX show together with a major clash of pro talents just over the border in Cornwall - the big question on most lips at Little Silver seemed to be could the new baby be as successful as the previous incarnation ? Well with the weather set fair for most of the day, and with both PAR Honda pilots Ray Rowson and Scott Elderfield running riot on a spectacular hillside course in prime condition the series got off to a cracking start - and it's also fair to say most of the watchers left at the end of the day nodding their heads in total approval.
In a fast and furious qualification session for start line position Ray Rowson topped the MX3 division being more than 2 seconds a lap quicker than the field where Jamie Law on the Lakeland Bikesport Suzuki headed the rest - and in the Under 23's Alan Keet took the honours by three quarters of a second from Moto One KTM flyer Shane Carless with Scott Elderfield in third a full three and a half seconds off Keet's electric pace.
Shane Carless proved to be quick in qualification and he was super quick off the start line too as he nailed all three of the under 23 race holey's but in the opening moto he soon came under pressure from a rampaging Scott Elderfield who snatched the lead on lap three as Shane went down in a heap. Carless fought back brilliantly however to eventually finish in fourth as Alan Keet claimed second spot followed home by Joe Dark in third. The middle moto of three proved to be the very best with both Elderfield and Keet piling on the pressure in their relentless chase of Carless at the front. Elderfield was now proving to be the quicker by far and with just two laps to go he swept past on a tight turn to claim his second win of the day followed home by Carless, Keet, Dark and Matthew Bayliss who produced a storming second race ride to finish in fifth.
In the final moto of the day although Carless made the first corner his own yet again speedy Alan Keet took over at the front for the opening two laps but to little avail as once again that man Elderfield shot past to record a glorious hat trick of wins as an unlucky Carless had to push home following a chain break that dropped him down to ninth overall. At the end of the day Alan Keet took a well deserved runners up place overall with Joe Dark coming through to claim third in the final race of the day and third overall on the podium too.
The lap scorers charts can tell no lies and in the MX3 class with the number 111 appearing at the head of every lap recorded Ray Rowson underlined his total superiority as he blasted the awesome PAR Honda to all three convincing moto wins. In the race behind Rowson Jamie Law put on a super-show to nick second place in the opening encounter of three as he got the better of Jamie Lewis in an entertaining scrap. In race two John May on the Meredith Suzuki stepped up the plate brilliantly to record a second place finish as once again Jamie Lewis came home in third. In a final race decider between the pair for second step on the podium Jamie Lewis held sway for most of the race but John May just wouldn't be denied and with three laps to go he made a move that proved to be decisive as he led Jamie over the line by just half a second but good enough to claim the runners up position on the day. Jamie Lewis rounded off the podium in third with Jamie Law ending the day in fourth. Elsewhere in the section storming performances from both Jamie Skuse in fifth and Brad Cavill in sixth.
Results
Dunlop MX3
1 Ray Rowson, RAR Honda....................... 25+25+25 = 75
2 John May, Meredith Suzuki .....................18+22+22 = 62
3 Jamie Lewis, Honda..................................20+20+20 = 60
4 Jamie Law, Bikesport Suzuki.....................22+15+18 = 55
5 Jamie Skuse, Honda.................................14+18+16 = 48
6 Brad Cavill, Honda ..................................16+16+15 = 47
7 Kevin Wells, Kawasaki............................13+14+13 = 40
8 Ben Griffin............................................... 12+12+12 = 36
9 Justin Wood, Honda..................................5+13+10 = 28
10 Brett Hillman Thunderroad M/C Honda...6+ 6+11 = 23
Dunlop Under 23s
1 Scott Elderfield, PAR Honda....................25+25+25 = 75
2 Alan Keet, Dyer and Butler Suzuki...........22+20+22 = 64
3 Joe Dark, Suzuki ......................................20+18+20 = 58
4 Ashley Wilde, Yamaha .............................12+14+18 = 44
5 Seb Osbourne, Yamaha ...........................15+13+16 = 44
6 James Dodd, MotoXtreme Kawasaki........16+15+12 = 43
7 Josh Spinks, Redline KTM .......................14+12+15 = 41
8 Matthew Bayliss, Wooldridge Honda........10+16+14 = 40
9 Shane Carless, Moto One KTM ...............18+22+ 0 = 40
10 Matt Burrows Rob Hooper Suzuki............11+10+9 = 30
Rd 2 May 31st - Frome & DUMC & LCC @ Asham Woods, Leighton, Nr Frome, Somerset.
Rd 3 Sept 26th - Woodbridge & DMCC @ Blaxhall Circuit, Nr Woodbridge.
Rd 4 Oct 24th - Norwich Vikings MCC @ Cadders Hill, Lyng, Norfolk.
MX323 Expert and Junior Spaces up for grabs
The opening round of this years new ACU MX323 competition is now all set for Little Silver on Sunday 25th April with the added bonus of the sidecars being present for the second round of their championship series. The new solo format will see the Championship concentrate on the same two primary classes with the former Open championship now becoming the new MX3 Championship. In addition to MX3 the under 21 age group has now been fully upgraded to being under 23's to fall in line with the new FIM formula. As an added attraction in the MX3 races two stroke riders will also be invited to compete for a separate British Championship title.
The new racing format will be three straight 20 min plus 2 lap races for each class with no race qualification necessary except for a timed start line position. The series will be supported by Dunlop who are providing tyre prize winning packages at each round. There are still places available in all of the solo racing classes at both Junior and Expert level so if you fancy having a tilt at one of the nations premier competitions give Sonia or Nadine a call at ACU HQ
sonia@acu.org.uk
nadine@acu.org.uk
Tel...01788-566422
MX323
Rd 1April 25th - Little Silver MCC @ Little Silver Moto Park, Nr Exminster, Devon.
Rd 2 May 31st - Frome & DUMC & LCC @ Asham Woods, Leighton, Nr Frome, Somerset.
Rd 3 Sept 26th - Woodbridge & DMCC @ Blaxhall Circuit, Nr Woodbridge.
Rd 4 Oct 24th - Norwich Vikings MCC @ Cadders Hill, Lyng, Norfolk.