British Championship - Round 5
[Posted 24.06.08]
Martin Barr returned to action at Dessert Martin this week after missing the French GP due to his foot injury. Still limping Martin was hoping to have a good ride to help keep his title hopes alive.
Carlos was not in attendance as he was competing in the Spanish championship so we had no rider in the MX1 class which was unfortunate as series leader Billy Mackenzie was out injuries. Carlos finished second in the Spanish championship and is currently lying second in the series behind Jonathan Barrogan.
Still UTAG Yamaha had plenty of coverage in the MX2 class with Martin Barr, Mel Pocock and Lewis Tombs plus this week apart from Yamaha Slovenia's Klemen Gercar we were supporting Yamaha Scandinavia's Swedish 16 year old rider Tom Soderstrom after a request from our long time partner Ohlin's suspension who use Tom as a test rider.
Qualification.
All five riders qualified which as good new. Martin qualified 3rd, Mel 10th, Tom 13th, Klemen 18th and Lewis 21st.
MX2 Race 1
With terrible weather the first race got underway with Martin getting into the lead quickly from a great start. Mel was mid pack along with Tom, Klemen and Lewis.
Soon on the first lap on-form Shaun Simpson push Martin out to the bank to take the lead and from there on we thought it would be a whitewash for the Scottish rider and with the little amount of riding Martin had done it was sure he should fade. Determined to give the home crowd something to cheer about, Martin Barr and his UTAG Yamaha never gave up and a brilliant performance saw the 20 year-old Irishman finish just over a second behind Simpson and a minute ahead of the 3rd place Man Carl Nunn.
Mel Pocock was riding very well and coming thought the pack better than I have seen all year, the GP's and training are starting to show for the talented young 15 year old UTAG Yamaha rider. Mel had some good battles with the Swedish rider Tom; this helped them both come through the pack and the training though the week seemed to have helped. Mel finished 10th with Tom just behind in 12 whilst Klemen came through to finish 18th and Lewis just missing out on the points in 21st.
MX2 Race 2
Another great start for Martin in 3rd but not so good for Mel who seemed asleep on the start when the gate dropped, Lewis and Klemen had a better start but Tom was going to have to come through from the back with Mel.
Martin was not going to hang around for Simpson to have it all his own way and within a few corners Martin was passed series leader Stephen Sword and again chasing Simpson, meanwhile Mel was coming though the pack well and Tom was just in front as they came round to finish the first lap with Mel 20th and Tom 17th. Unfortunately Klemen went out of the race with damage to his front wheel from the big stones, Lewis was battling hard in the mid pack area trying to secure his first British championship point.
Martin again had the speed to stay with Simpson and closed a little but Simpson has been riding very well and I'm sure he had the game sewn up with signals from his pit crew, still Martin kept within 5 second of him until 3 laps from the end when a stone from a backmarker's wheel flicked up and split Martin's nose open. With blood pouring from his nose Martin took it easy and cruised home a safe second to Simpson.
Meanwhile Tom and Mel were passing each other and eventually Tom got the better of Mel with his extra years experience and fitness. Still it was a great ride for the young 15 year old UTAG Yamaha Rider to come from the back to 9th and hopefully it will help him for the German GP this weekend. Tom went on to finish 6th
Lewis picked up his first British championship point.
Steve Dixon - "Today it was nice to see all the guys doing well especially Martin who has not had the best of seasons. He rode well against Shaun and to see how well Shaun is doing in the World only shows Martin what can be achieved if you can take the determination and speed from your favourite home track and transform it into results in the World championships. Mel is improving every little bit and he his staying consistent, today in the second race I expected him to fade but he kept a lot stronger than in recent rides which hopefully is a sign that his growth spurt is slowing.
Lewis is riding better and looking a lot smoother. Klemen was looking forward to this round after winning the last European championship in Croatia two weeks ago but DHL mislaid his suspension which didn't help his confidence.
Also this week Megan broke her big toe and will try to ride in Germany for round four of the Girls World championship. Let's see what the next round brings! Hopefully at least some sunshine after all the wet races"
Next race: World Championship Teutschenthal, Germany. June 29th
MX1 Results MX2 Results
Race 1
1. Ray Rawson
2. Wayne Smith
3. James Noble
4. Tom Church
5. Mark Jones
6. Brad Anderson
7. Bryan Mackenzie
8. Jamie Law
9. Jim Murro
10. Mark Eastwood
Race 1
1. Shaun Simpson
2. Martin Barr, UTAG Yamaha
3. Carl Nunn
4. Jason Dougan
5. Graeme Irvin
6. Marcus Norleen
7. Alan Keet
8. Lewis Gregory
9. Jake Nicholls
10. Mel Pocock, UTAG Yamaha
12 Tom Sodestrom UTAG Yamaha
18 Klemen Gercar UTAG Yamaha
21 Lewis Tombs, UTAG Yamaha
Race 2
1. Wayne Smith
2. James Noble
3. Brad Anderson
4. Mark Jones
5. Ray Rawson
6. Tom Church
7. Jordan Rose
8. Bryan Mackenzie
9. Jame Law
10.
Race 2
1. Shaun Simpson
2. Martin Barr, UTAG Yamaha
3. Nevil Bradshaw
4. Carl Nunn
5. Jason Dougan
6. Tom Soderstrom UTAG Yamaha
7. Lewis Gregory
8. Marcus Norleen
9. Mel Pocock, UTAG Yamaha
10. Graeme Irwin
20. Lewis Tombs, UTAG Yamaha
Overall
1. Wayne Smith 47
2. James Noble 42
3. Ray Rowson 41
4. Brad Anderson 35
5. Mark Jones 34
6. Tom Church 33
7. Bryan Mackenzie 27
8. Jamie Law 25
9. Jamie Lewis 21
10. Jim Murro 20
Overall
1. Shaun Simpson 50
2. Martin Barr, UTAG Yamaha 44
3. Carl Nunn 38
4. Jason Dougan 34
5. Marcus Norleen 28
6. Lewis Gregory 27
7. Graemew Irwin 27
8. Tom Soderstrom 24 UTAG Yamaha
9. Mel Pocock, UTAG Yamaha 23
10. Jake Nicholls 22
21.Klemen Gercar 3 UTAG Yamaha
24.LewisTombs 1
Championship Standings
1. Billy Mackenzie 200
2. James Noble 177
3. Brad Anderson 166
4. Mark Jones 160
5. Wayne Smith157
6. Tom Church 157
7. Mark Eastwood 108
8. Mark Hucklebridge 98
9. Bryan Mackenzie 88
10. Kenneth Gundersen, UTAG Yamaha 78
22.Carlos Campano, UTAG Yamaha 28
Championship Standings
1. Shaun Simpson 207
2. Stephen Sword 198
3. Martin Barr, UTAG Yamaha 181
4. Carl Nunn 17
5. Jason Dougan 124
6. Neville Bradshaw 120
7. Elliot Banks-Brown 112
8. Marcus Norleen 102
9. Mel Pocock, UTAG Yamaha 82
10. Lewis Gregory 81
15.Carlos Campano, UTAG Yamaha 55
25.Tom Soderstrom 24 UTAG Yamaha
26.Klemen Gercar 24 UTAG Yamaha
