MacKenzie And Brown Are Crowned 2007 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Champions

[Posted 20.09.07]

Europe's premier off road series saw a dramatic close to its 2007 campaign with an action packed final round at Howton Court, Pontrilas. After yet another top level day of racing Scotland's Billy MacKenzie - De Groot Kawasaki and American rider Mike Brown - CAS Honda emerged as worthy champions of the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.
Both riders arrived at the hillside circuit on the English / Welsh border with a slim advantage over their nearest rivals, and two potentially championship wrecking motos ahead of them. Whilst Brown slightly increased his lead over Tommy Searle - KTM UK with a better first race result than his younger challenger, the experienced American had to wait to the final to clinch a well deserved British domestic title.

MacKenzie on the other hand saw De Dycker close within six points of him after he followed the 2006 champion home in the first moto, before the Scot responded brilliantly with a solid showing in the second and decisive race to claim the crown in this his first season in the MX1 category. With the eventual champions pre occupied with their main task, guest rider Tanel Leok - De Groot Kawasaki and Jason Dougan - Forkrent Suzuki seized the opportunity to take the overall honours on the day.

Leok played his part in the MX1 show down, as he battled hard with De Dycker in the first race and prevented the Belgian from taking a maximum points haul that would have put further pressure on MacKenzie. With the championship safe, Leok passed his Scottish team-mate in the second MX1 encounter to produce an impressive 1-1 performance. It was a similar story in the M2 class, with Dougan taking full advantage of his rivals nerves with a great opening race win, and a mature runners up spot in the second moto to claim the top step of the podium on the day.

Although Brown failed to show in the MX1 battle, despite his entry in the class in what looked liked a veiled attempt to help De Dycker, there was still plenty of action behind the leading trio. Just one point separated Brad Anderson - Pioneer Yamaha and James Noble - Multitek Honda prior to Pontrilas and when Noble edged out Anderson in the first moto, it meant third place in the series would go down to the wire. The final fight between Brad and James was not pretty, but gave the large crowd plenty to cheer about, with Noble taking the number three plate come the finish.

Graeme Irwin - KTM became the first winner of the MXY2 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship, which was introduced to the series for the first time this year. Irwin produced a better last round showing to steal the title away from Lewis King - Team Green Kawasaki who led by two points going into the final day.

With the 2007 championship being declared a massive success from all quarters, preparations to deliver an even better series in 2008 are already underway. Full championship information can be found at www.mxgb.co.uk

MX1 Moto One: 1: Leok 2: De Dycker 3: MacKenzie 4: Noble 5: Anderson
MX1 Moto Two: 1: Leok 2: MacKenzie 3: Noble 4: De Dycker 5: Anderson
MX1 Overall: 1: Leok 60 2: MacKenzie 52 3: De Dycker 50
Championship - Final standings: 1: Mackenzie 394 2: De Dycker 384 3: Noble 339

MX2 Moto One: 1: Dougan 2: Brown 3: Searle 4: Hamblin 5: Simpson
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Searle 2: Dougan 3: Swanepoel 4: Hamblin 5: Brown
MX2 Overall: 1: Dougan 57 2: Searle 55 3: Brown 48
Championship - Final standings: 1: Brown 376 2: Searle 371 3: Swanepoel 343