The second round of the 2007 Maxxis Motocross MX2 British Championship at Landrake in Cornwall saw Kawasaki own two steps of the overall podium and Molson Kawasaki’s Tom Church celebrate his second top three appearance in a row with the runner-up position; Church clinched the opening moto for his first chequered flag since Canada Heights in 2004. Chilly but clear conditions greeted the contestants of arguably Europe’s most competitive national series and the Landrake circuit offered a reasonable if slightly fast racing prospect.
The first moto delivered the best action of the day as Church enjoyed a close and frantic scrap with Mike Brown for the lead that kept the crowd entertained. After several position changes the tussle was only decided on the last lap as the 25 year old made a pass on the American and held his nerve to see the flag waved for the first time in three years. His team-mate Gareth Swanepoel had been leading the sprint but a mechanical problem meant that he was forced to stop. Team Wulfsport Kawasaki’s Shaun Simpson was an excellent third place.
Swanepoel was a protagonist in the second heat. Church had almost stolen the holeshot again but was held up slightly by a resolute Simpson in the formative stages. Tommy Searle was the runaway victor but South African ‘Swanie’ guided the KX250F to second position, again ahead of Simpson. Church lost his rhythm and was passed by another American Sean Hamblin; he did however manage to fend off Brown again and secure fifth spot.
Ray Rowson had a decent weekend in terms of his recovery to full race fitness. The teenager grabbed 8th and 11th positions for 9th in the final standings.
The MX2 podium ceremony saw Church mount the second step behind Searle. The pair had tied on points but Searle’s second moto triumph gave him the ‘overall’. For the second meeting in a row, and only two weeks after securing his maiden rostrum, Team Wulfsport Kawasaki’s Shaun Simpson, was again able to spray champagne.
After two events from eight Simpson leads the Championship for the first time in his career and holds a seven point advantage over Searle. Swanepoel is currently third just ahead of Church.
For Molson Kawasaki and Team Wulfsport the Grand Prix of Benelux – the first round of fifteen in the FIM World Championship – occurs next weekend at the Valkenswaard circuit while the British teams will have to wait only a fortnight from now before the next national meeting as the Maxxis-backed competition reconvenes at Lyng in Norfolk.
Tom Church:“It was a good day; I was dead chuffed with the win in the first moto especially after such a close race with Mike. The bike was so good off the line today and I had two decent starts to show for it. When Gareth’s bike stopped and Mike had a crash I caught right up and knew that a win was possible. We had a good fight and I could just take him on the last lap. It felt like a long time since I had last won and it was also positive to show that I still have it in me. The second moto was a bit of a nightmare. I struggled to pass Shaun and lost my rhythm. I made a few mistakes and Hamblin overtook me. In the end it came down to just one point as Tommy and I were tied for the overall. In a way I feel a little disappointed that I could not get that victory. Anyway, this has helped my confidence for next week. I am really looking forward to the Grand
Prix.’
Shaun Simpson:“To be leading the Championship is quite special and I know how important it is to keep consistent. I was pleased with another podium as my goal was another pair of top five results today.
I was about 15th from the start in the first race and picked a few guys off around the first corner. I was up to 5th by the end of the first lap. I fought with Tommy Searle for 4th and we passed each other a couple of times but I was ahead when Gareth Swanepoel’s bike broke down and then we were on for the top three. The track did not really suit me that well; it was very hard and not many lines. Anyway another third place was good. My start was a lot better in the second moto and I led for the first few laps but Tommy went through and was riding really well. The next thing I knew Tom and Gareth were on my rear wheel and when they started coming alongside it knocked my rhythm a little bit. A had a fight with Tom for a little bit and then had to work to hold off Hamblin for another third place.
The first GP is around the corner and I am feeling confident. It will be a totally different race and set of circumstances but I am happy with my riding and we will see how it goes.’
MX1 Moto1:1. Tom Church,
2. Mike Brown,
3. Shaun Simpson,
4. Sean Hamblin,
5. Tommy Searle,
6. Lewis Gregory,
7. Jason Dougan,
8. Ray Rowson,
9. Martin Barr,
10. Jake Nichols
MX2 Moto2:1. Tommy Searle,
2. Gareth Swanepoel,
3. Shaun Simpson,
4. Sean Hamblin,
5. Tom Church,
6. Mike Brown,
7. Lewis Gregory,
8. Jason Dougan,
9. Jake Nichols,
10. Martin Barr,
11. Ray Rowson
MX2 Overall:1. Tommy Searle,
2. Tom Church,
3. Shaun Simpson,
4. Sean Hamblin,
5. Mike Brown,
6. Lewis Gregory,
7. Jason Dougan,
8. Gareth Swanepoel,
9. Ray Rowson
Related Linkswww.kawasaki-racingteam.com
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