Motocross superstars head for Norfolk - with three titles still up for grabs
We have take-off! Action from Cadders Hill, near Lyng Picture: Archant - Credit: SIMON FINLAY
The Maxxis British Motocross reaches its climax on Sunday at the superb Cadders Hill circuit in Norfolk.
High flying action at Cadders Hill, near Lyng Picture: Archant - Credit: SIMON FINLAY
The venue was originally due to stage the opening round back in March, but it was cancelled due to horrendous weather conditions, so the organising Norwich Viking MCC now host the season finale – and it's set to be a cracker, with all three championship titles still to be resolved.
There is an intriguing twist to the headline MX1 class, with championship leader and East Anglian star Jake Nicholls (Buildbase Honda) set to miss the final round after suffering a freak leg injury two weeks ago. He will have to sit on the sidelines for both 25-minute plus two-lap motos to see if Russian star Evgeny Bobryshev (Lombard Express Suzuki) can secure a pair of podium finishes and amass the 40 points he needs to overhaul Nicholls' advantage at the head of the standings, and snatch the crown at the same time.
Norwich riders Luke Parker and Declan Whittle will be out to show they can compete with some of the world's top riders on their home turf, while recently-crowned Eastern Centre champion Shaun Southgate, from Bury St Edmunds, is another rider local fans will be urging on to upset the form book.
Bike It DRT Kawasaki's Tommy Searle is the latest entry to be confirmed. The top 10 world championship rider will be making his final appearance for the British team after signing a full Grand Prix contract with the French BOS Kawasaki for 2019. Searle has good pedigree at Cadders Hill having won both races when he last raced there in 2016.
British Motocross stars return to Cadders Hill, near Lyng Picture: Archant - Credit: SIMON FINLAY
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Another late entry is New Zealander Dylan Walsh. The 20-year-old has agreed a deal to ride for Revo Husqvarna next season and will be making his debut for the British-based outfit this weekend.
In the MX2 class, Conrad Mewse (Hitachi KTM), Josh Gilbert (Buildbase Honda) and Mel Pocock (Revo Husqvarna) are covered by just 15 points, and with 50 on offer over the two season-closing races, the title could well be decided at the final drop of the chequered flag.
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Bury St Edmunds' Lewis Tombs is ninth in the table and solid leaderboard performances will see the Husqvarna rider move into seventh in the final reckoning, one place better than 2017, while Wymondham teenager Max Broadbelt is another to keep an eye on.
It's still all to race for in the MXY2 class, which sees the UK's leading youth riders go head to head on the national platform. Rossi Beard has a 24-point cushion from George Sim-Mutch, but Norwich's Archie Fisher and Jack Whitlam will be out to take the honours.
Lyng track map - Credit: Archant
Admission is £20 for adults, £5 for children, family tickets £45. Practice starts at 9am with the first race in the seven-moto programme at 10.45am.
The Cadders Hill track is located one mile north of the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road and three miles from the A47 Norwich to King's Lynn road. Postcode is NR9 5QZ. Car parking is free.
TIMETABLE
9pm: MXY2 – start straight practice five minutes/free practice eight minutes/timed Practice 12 minutes
9.35am: MX2 – start straight practice five minutes/free practice 10 minutes/timed practice 15 minutes
10.10am: MX1 – start straight Practice 5 minutes/free practice 10 minutes/timed practice 15 minutes
10.45am: MXY2 – Race one, 16 minutes plus one lap
Autograph session/interval
12noon: MX2 – Race one, 25 minutes plus two laps
12.50pm: MX1 – Race one, 25 minutes plus two laps
1.40pm: MXY2 – Race two, 16 minutes plus one lap
2.20pm: MX2 – Race two, 25 minutes plus two laps
3.10pm: MX1 – Race two, 25 minutes plus two laps
4pm: MXY2 – Race three, 16 minutes plus one lap
