Josh Coppins aims to bounce back from injury with a winning double in the British Motocross Grand Prix at Donington Park over the Bank Holiday weekend 25/26 August to ease him to the World MX1 crown.
The Kiwi hurt his shoulder in a tumble while competing in the Czech Republic round and that has allowed his rivals to play catch-up on him with Suzuki’s Steve Ramon closing in on him after a successful weekend in his home Belgian round.
Ramon is just 43 points down and riding strongly which should mean a classic showdown over the specially constructed course on the infield area of the Leicestershire circuit – some 50,000 tons of soil have been transported into the venue to craft a technically demanding course that should pack exciting fast and high flying action.
Neither Ramon nor Coppins will have ridden the course prior to first practice on Saturday morning and could allow riders of the calibre of Seb Pourcel aboard a Kawasaki and KTM’s David Philippaerts to close them down, while top British riders Billy Mackenzie and James Noble together with Gordon Crockard will be aiming to get ahead of the pack.
There are two races, each of 35 minutes and two laps duration, for both the MX1 and MX2 categories, the latter providing the opportunity for the Sicilian rider Antonio Cairoli to edge closer to the crown. He has built up a comfortable advantage over Pourcel with the Frenchman needing to look over his shoulder to keep an eye on the two riders closing in fast on his runner-up spot.
Tyla Rattray who has produced challenging performances recently, and Derby based rider Tommy Searle aboard the KTM Kawasaki are well placed for late push for honours. Other locals to watch are Carl Nunn, riding Yamaha and his teamster Martin Barr, Tom Church aboard a Kawasaki, Shaun Simpson on a similar machine and the Suzuki duo of Jake Nicholls and Jason Dougan.
It is the first time the British Motocross Grand Prix has been held in the Midlands confirming Donington Park as the top motorsport venue in Great Britain. Practice will be held on Saturday August 25 with a full day of Championship racing on Sunday August 26.
Tickets are on sale now – to book visit the web-site at
www.donington-park.co.uk or call the hot-line on 08700 429 669.
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