Japanese Grand Prix winner Billy Mackenzie toasted his second success in the space of a week with overall victory at Langrish for the fourth round of eight in the Maxxis British Championship. The Scot now leads the series by 27 points after extending his advantage.
The Manor Farm circuit in Hampshire, near England’s south coast made an overdue return to the national competition and arguably one of the toughest domestic championships in Europe. In bright and sunny conditions the track was hard and very quick, meaning that a decent start was essential for aspirations of a top three finish.
Mackenzie, who entered the event with the red number plate on his KX450F-SR to signify his status as championship leader, took results of third and first positions in the two motos.
He gated poorly in the first race of 30 minutes and 2 laps and then slipped off while trying to regain ground. ‘Mac’ continued working, against some arm-pump late into the distance, and eventually gained third.
“I got the start wrong in the first moto and then had a small crash while trying to pass people,” he recounted. “I had to work again to come through but the track was so fast and required so much concentration it was not easy. I had some luck when Gordon Crockard DNF-ed so that was some points for the championship. I’ve had weird sleep patterns this week after Japan and needed to rest after the first race. I did not even look at the track for the second moto but stayed in the camper and told myself I would do whatever it takes to make a holeshot a get away; luckily that’s what happened.”
An ideal launch from the line and some decent pace on the opening laps across the choppy mud saw the 23 year old, who aced the Japanese Grand Prix at Sugo last week for Kawasaki’s first ever MX1 World Championship victory, riding at his hardest to break free.
“That was one of the toughest races ever because you had to keep really focussed on that track and it so hard to pull out even a few tenths of a second because of the high speed,” Mackenzie continued. “I did everything I could to shake Brad but he stuck with me and I had to inch away all the time. By the end I had a lead of six seconds but it was certainly no easy ride.”
It was a positive day for Kawasaki as Molson Kawasaki’s Gareth Swanepoel owned the MX2 class meaning another clean sweep for the manufacturer.
Mackenzie now heads reigning champion Ken de Dycker by 27 points (a moto win counts for 30) at the midway stage of the series with Desertmartin in Northern Ireland up next.
“Now that we have sorted out that problem with my diet I really feel that I am nearing the level I want to be at,” Mackenzie added. “My confidence is going up every week. It was really nice and very busy with the attention this weekend after Japan and I can only hope for some similar results.”
Tanel Leok raced in the third round of the Dutch Championship at Heerde this weekend and took two second positions behind race winner Steve Ramon for the overall runner-up standing.
KRT now face the seventh round of the FIM World Championship this weekend with the Grand Prix of France at the St Jean d’Angely circuit near La Rochelle.
MX1 Moto1:1. Ken De Dycker,
2. Brad Anderson,
3. Billy Mackenzie,
4. James Noble ,
5. Mark Eastwood
MX1 Moto2:1. Billy Mackenzie,
2. Brad Anderson,
3. James Noble,
4. Ken De Dycker,
5. Gordon Crockard
MX1 Overall result:1. Billy Mackenzie 55,
2. Brad Anderson 54,
3. Ken De Dycker 53,
4. James Noble 48,
5. Mark Eastwood 38
MX1 series standings after 4 of 8 rounds:1. Billy Mackenzie 214,
2. Ken De Dycker 187,
3. James Noble 182,
4. Brad Anderson 180,
5. Gordon Crockard 178
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