2008 Results.........
Season Finale
With only one AMCA Championship Round left, I decided to take Wednesday off work to get some bike time at the newly vamped Wildmoor Practice Track. The day was going really well, I showed a good pace and stayed loose and was really enjoying the new layout of the circuit.

We made a few mods to the bike and I continued around the circuit for my last session. This was going to be possibly the last time I would ride this year. I had a good session and on the lap before I was about to pull off the track, I powered in to a right hand berm and , just before the uphill descent, the rear end of my MarchantMx KTM broke through the berm and forced my left foot into the sand stone banking. The pain was unbearable, so I continued and pulled off the circuit and made my way back to the van.

I removed my boot carefully to see the damage to my foot, It was already swelling and turning blue. I was so gutted words couldn't explain how I was feeling. After a 3 hour wait in Russells Hall Hospital A&E Dept, I was told that I had broken my big toe and badly damaged other toes and guilds in my left foot. I am going to be in a supporting plaster for a week to let the swelling and bruising go down, then they will re-xray the foot and come to a conclusion.

I am deeply disappointed, I am not only going to miss the last AMCA Championship Round but possibly the rest of the season. The last couple of months haven't been too kind to me on the racing side but I can only do the best in the different situations I have had to over come, but I will take the time to say Thanks! to everyone's support I have had through the year and hope Me and the Team can come back in the 2009 season stronger than ever with guns blazing and hopefully I can make it a successful season.

A big Thank you to..........
My ever supporting Mom, Dad, Brother and Fiancee Becki
Tim and Vanessa at Foto-x
Mike Keenan at Find Ur Stuff
Nick, Rich and Roger Dawson at Rogers Rescue
Wayne and Family at FeehilyMX
Mark at Fro Systems
Simon and family at MX Shirt Printing
and also to everyone who supports me around the track and who checks out the website every week. 
Burntwood at Branston 28.09.08
I arrived at the Branston circuit for the last time this year. I took a look at the circuit and I will be honest, I was a little disappointed with the track but later found out that the club had problems with the digger, however I felt that the club could have made a little more effort.

Practice
The track was how I expected, the areas the spectators could see were good but everywhere else was already rough and with the track being watered, it made fort difficult riding but I looked for lines and tried to push to show a good pace.

Race One
I made a good start behind Dale Halls but as I went into turn two it was like I had traded my mx bike for a speedway bike as I drifted sideways into the corner.

I managed to stay on two wheels and pushed hard to close the gap on Halls with Frayne close behind. I knew I had to keep the pressure on Halls but I had some slight bike gremlins and had to settle for third position.

Race Two
The team decided to use the championship bike and I shot off the gate and grabbed the hole shot. I made a big mistake in a far corner and, with the track rock hard and shiney, I lost the rear of my Marchantmx machine and lost the lead.
I quickly made the pass to move back into the lead and pushed as hard as I could but with heavy rain falling on the circuit It was becoming very difficult so I decided to ride with care, as track conditions were worsening. I had dropped to third behind Frayne and Halls and I was relieved to see the chequered flag.

Race Three
The track and the weather had dried up so it was all to ride for. I got off to another good start just getting pipped by Halls but I pushed hard and Frayne was trying everything to pass me but I kept on closing the door on him but this was allowing Halls to gap us.

I started to close on Halls but just after the halfway mark, I made a big mistake and ended up picking the Marchantmx KTM machine from the ground. I was now in a lonely third and that is where I finished.

I finally got third overall on the day and was a little disappointed with the day all round. I am still in one piece however and with the last AMCA Championship round next week, I can only look forward to seeing the outcome.

Thank you to everyone that supports me and the team and also to everyone that supports me around the circuit, it is all gratefully appreciated.
Cannock at Abbotts Bromley 21.09.08
With the AMCA Championship Round 7 CANCELLED, I was sent to ride at Cannock Club's Abbotts Bromley Circuit. The club had worked hard on the circuit putting in a new deep sandy whooped corner which would cause some trouble for the inexperienced riders but it was good that the club had made a effort to try to change the circuit.
 
Practice
There was a 30 minute break as a rider had hurt himself and had to be air ambulanced off (hope he makes a speedy recovery). We finally started my practice and I decided to try to get out of the way and ride around to get a good pace. I found a good rhythm and speed that gave me a good feeling going in to the races.
Race One
I had an OK start but I was in fourth behind Matt Burrows, Joe Del Busso and Dale Halls. I quickly passed Burrows and Del Busso but Halls had put some seconds between me and him, so I pushed to close him in. I made some small mistakes which lost me the few seconds I had made on him, but I sorted myself out and closed him in and made it a race to watch for the spectators. With only a lap and a bit to go, I applied a lot of pressure on Halls but the track was very hard to pass on. I found a weakness in the sandy section and tried a pass on Halls around the outside but Halls just squeezed me out and I had to settle for 2nd position. I was a bit disappointed but I gave It 100%.
 
Race Two
I got off to another ok start with Del Busso and Halls in front of me. I tried really hard to pass Del Busso without making contact with him and moved into 2nd behind Halls. We set a fast pace and gaped the rest of the field and battled it out for the whole of the race but with limited lines, Halls just kept tight and I had nowhere else to go and just had to keep Halls on his toes hoping for a mistake from him and I would be there to take advantage but a mistake by me on the last few corners left me in 2nd position. 
 
Race Three
With two 2nd positions from races one and two, I wanted to go out with a bang and a win was the only thing on my mind and that was what happened. I grabbed the lead from Del Busso and never looked back. I wasn't bothered about anyone else I just wanted the win and I kept everything together and tidy and with Burrows in 2nd behind me I felt I had a comfortable pace. I rode consistent to finally take the chequered flag. It wasn't until I got back to the van that I found out that I had picked up 1st Overall on the day.
I was happy with the result as I had put in 100% effort in, and with a bit of luck (for a change) I managed to get the overall. Thank you again for every one that supports me and the team and just hope this luck can continue.
AMCA MX2 Championships at Norley 14.09.08
After the heavy rain fall for the last couple of weeks, I was doubtful about riding at the Norley circuit, but to my amazement the track was dry and water was put on the track on the morning before the event. I was suffering from man flu running up to this weekend so it was going to be a hard day with breathing but I was all set for the qualifying session.
 
Qualifying
The track was in good shape and with a new layout from the last time I raced there but with some heavy deep sandy parts I just looked for lines. The timing board was shown so I made an early quick lap but I was hounded by riders just slowing me down and I was in 18th position. I posted another few laps but made mistakes so I had to settle for 19th position at the end of the qualifying session.
 
Race One
I lined up with the other MX2 Championship riders and with the next Championship cancelled, I knew a good start was required. My gate didn't drop straight away and I was last but after a few corners I was in fifth position just where I needed to be but it was short lived as the red flag was shown. The race was restarted and in the first turn my luck changed and I was left picking up my Marchantmx KTM in the first turn. I remounted and gave chase to catch back up, I caught up and moved past about 6 riders then I had to lock on all brakes as a rider cut straight in front of me and I stalled the bike. I fired the Marchantmx KTM back to life and continued the race. I moved back up to just outside the top 20 then on the last lap I went down again, I remounted but the damage was done zero points for race one.
 
Race Two
I needed to put race one behind me and concentrate on a good start and I got off to another good start well in the top 10 and I pushed hard for a few laps then the red flag was shown again!. I was so disappointed another good start for nothing. I got off to a rubbish start on the restart and on the third turn I collided with a rider and ended up picking up the Marchantmx KTM again! I hurt my back in the incident and I had to struggle through the race and finished outside of the top 20 again! and 0 points.
 
Race Three
I rested myself through to the next race and I had to go home with some points so I had to put everything behind me what had happened so far. I got off to another good start and was just outside the top 10, the track was now very cut up so I had to keep focused but AGAIN the red flag was shown and we were ordered back to the van and a restart was going to happen but a race was going to be run before. With a short break we lined up for the restart, I didn't get a great start but by the second turn I had moved just outside the top 10. I tried to look for the smooth lines and with riders in front banging bars and making mistakes I just kept it tidy and consistent through the race and by the end I was in 9th position behind Dobson, picking up 12 points.
 
The day didn't go to plan but I don't think luck was on my side but that's motocross and It can all change in a week so I am still in 14th position in the 2008 standings but with the next Championship meeting cancelled, I just hope that they can re-schedule it into the diary to try and push for some good results.
 
Thank you to everyone behind me and the team for 2008 and hope I can turn my luck around for the next Championship round. 
Sandbach at Warmingham Lane 31.08.08
This week I decided to ride out of group with the Sandbach MXC at Warmingham Lane Circuit due to no meeting being run by any of the South Staffs Clubs. It was a change to have a race against some new faces and with AMCA Championship riders James Shaw, David Wall and Michael Reynolds, it wasn't going to be easy. The track looked in good shape but with a sky full of grey clouds it was going to be a gamble what weather we were going to get.
 
Practice
As I thought, the track was very tricky due to the grading of the circuit. It made the bike as if you was riding on marbles and also with some heavy boggy patches after some of the jumps, the track was limited on lines. With a good start however, I knew I would be fast enough. 
 
Race One
My start was just as I wanted, I rode behind Wall, Shaw and Reynolds and followed their lines as it had been a few years since I raced at the circuit. It was quite a laugh behind them as it was only going to be time before they were going down and out. I was right and Shaw was the first one to bite the dust and then on lap two I pushed Reynolds and he dropped it in the corner so I was now in 2nd behind Wall.
He was uncatchable as he knew the track like the back of his hand, so with a healthy lead on third I just kept it upright and took 2nd position.

Race Two
With another good start I quickly got into 2nd position behind Wall and I pushed with him to see some of his lines. I tried my best to keep the gap close and Shaw, who was in third, had disappeared so with no pressure from behind me I just tried to keep consistent and tidy. About 3/4 of the race distance I was starting to feel the affects of last weeks incident and decided to settle for 2nd position.

Race Three
I got off to another good start but Wall was out in front with Shaw behind him and I was stuck in fourth position behind a Yamaha rider but I finally made the pass on him, but then I had to set to work to close the gap on Shaw and Wall. After about 3 laps I had caught up to Shaw but Wall was using all his knowledge of the circuit to his advantage.
On the second lap before the end Shaw made a big mistake in a fast corner and with some quick reactions I managed to avoid him and was now in 2nd position and that is where I finished.
 
I got 2nd position overall on the day and I felt happy with the result but I feel I didn't ride to my full potential but a good result.
 
I would like to thank the people supporting me this year and hope the results continue.
AMCA MX2 Championships at Culham 24.08.08
As the Marchantmx team made our way to the Culham Circuit early Sunday morning we was met by dark grey clouds and rain, so we were expecting a mud bath when we arrived at the circuit. It was the opposite however, just right, so I was looking forward to the day's racing ahead.
 
Qualifying
 
The track was in good condition but knowing the Culham Circuit well it wasn't going to be smooth for long and by the end of the qualifying session the track was developing some tricky lines. I ended up in 13th fastest so I felt I had a good pace for the racing.
 
Race One
 
I got off to a rubbish start but I just had to look for holes and push forward and by the third lap I had moved in to 11th position behind Matt Porter but I lost control and went down. I quickly remounted and slipped back to 15th position but I continued to push and got back into 13th but I made another mistake and I was off again. I remounted still in 14th position but I wasn't riding the way I should and ended the race with a third crash and out of the points. I was so annoyed with myself, I had lots of thoughts afterwards on how I should have raced.
Race Two
 
After the disastrous race one I had to hope for a better things but it wasn't to be. Another rubbish start but I moved in to the top 15 by lap four but then the unthinkable happened. I over shot a down hill turn and cross rutted myself and went down but this was the least of my problems as I had knocked the fuel cap off the bike and fuel was pouring over into my lap. I finally got out from under the bike but I had an idea that if I got air the vapour would go. But how wrong was I. There was a invisible fire in my pants so I quickly got to the pits, threw the bike at my brother and ran to my van to douse the fire. 
 
I had never experienced pain as bad, but a visit to the first aid sorted me out but I was in doubt that I would race again today.
Race Three
 
I decided that I would brave it out and race, so I lined up with the rest of the MX2 Championship riders. I got off to the best start of the day but I got involved in two pile ups so I was down into around the top 20 but I continued to push and not think about my problems and just set to work passing the riders one at a time. By mid race I was in 13th position and still with riders in sight I just kept on pushing forward and by the last lap I had moved past Dobson and was now in 10th position. So I just played it safe and rode steady and took the chequered flag in pain but happy with my performance and it was good to hear the people around praising me for my efforts.
 
I ended up in 18th position overall with 11 points but after the day racing I just couldn't wait for the team to be on the way home, It is probably best to forget and think about next meeting.
 
I have to THANK everyone behind me and the team, the support is grateful and hope I can have better luck at the next round.
Burton at Stenson 17.08.08
It was the turn of Burton MXC to run their meeting at the Stenson Circuit. With heavy rain showers through the week leading up to the meeting, it was going to be a muddy one!. It was good to see the return of Dale Halls from his Injuries sustained at round 2 of the AMCA Championship. The track looked well prepared with heavy mud in places but, with the sun shining down on us, the track would soon dry out.

Practice
The track hadn't changed from the last meeting but was very tricky and slippery in places so I just looked for lines ready for the racing.
 
Race One
I got off to a flier and grabbed the hole shot. I pushed hard for a few laps and whilst Halls and Read had their problems, I just continued to push around the circuit and try not to make any mistakes as the track was still a little tricky in places. Burrows was pushing hard behind me but I just kept the gap the same for the rest of the race to take the win.
Race Two
I got off to another good start but was just pipped to the first turn by fellow Foto-x rider Dee Jay but I made a pass quickly on Dee Jay and set to work to gap the rest of the MX2 Experts. I had about a 6 second lead and just set myself into a consistent pace. Halfway through the race I stepped up the pace and increased my lead to about 15 seconds over Halls and Burrows, both of whom were locked in their own battle. With the gap on the field I just continued the pace until the end picking up my second win of the day.
 
Race Three
With two wins in the bag I just wanted one more to make it a perfect day. I got off to another good start but drifted a little wide in turn one and Burrows slipped on the inside. I put Burrows under pressure straight away but lines on the track were limited for passing so I had to sit back and make a plan. I tried everything I could to try and make a pass on him but nothing was working, he had control of all the inside lines.

I planned a pass on the exit of the chicane section and on the last lap I closed in to make the pass. We both went into the section and he went inside and I powered to the outside, he bobbled and went down and I continued to take the win.
 
What can I say three wins and another 1st overall a PERFECT DAY!. Thanks to everyone for being behind me and the Marchantmx team, I hope I can continue with the results I deserve.
Wolverhampton at Hungry Hill 10.08.08
With heavy rain all week long the Hungry hill circuit looked boggy but still rideable on Saturday, when I went to help my Wolverhampton club members put everything in place for Sunday's racing. The day of racing was here but heavy overnight rain had made the track extremely muddy and with new engine parts just fitted to the bike, there was some doubt as to whether I  was going to race, so  I left a question mark over it, waiting to see what it was like after practice.
 
Practice
I sat out of my practice and just let everyone else get very muddy, but by the end of the practice session, the track had dried out and it didn't look too bad so I made the decision I was going to race.

Race One
I got off to an OK start and by the second turn I had moved into 2nd behind Read. I wasn't going my normal pace as the track was still tricky and I didn't want to put too much strain on the bike so I just sat back and took it easy and followed Read in front of me. After about 3 laps he had put a slight gap between me and him so I picked up the pace and closed him in, then a back marker took his mind off the racing and he went down, so I slipped into the lead. It was hard going at this stage of the race, the back markers were becoming an issue so I just took my time and kept to a steady pace only to have the lead taken back from me by Read in the area that a yellow flag was shown.  
I was angry but I continued around the circuit. Read cheated and took the win and I had to settle for 2nd. The annoying thing was that I did the right thing and reduced my speed and he just continued to pass me and had no care to others, but I suppose if that is what they have to do to pass me then it is a bit sad! Never the less. I just took it on the chin and looked forward to the next race.

Race Two
With revenge on the cards I was hoping to get a good jump out of the gate but the way the day was going, I was in 4th position. I quickly passed Del Busso and Chris Hill and set my sights on Read. We battled hard for a few laps but with the track now one lined it was going to be a do or die pass, so I went down the inside of Read in the off chamber before the hill, but on entering the corner I got cross rutted and went down. I quickly remounted and gave chase to catch back up to Read.
 
I managed to catch up to the back of Read but time was running out and lapped riders were becoming a problem and on the lap before the last lap flag I got tangled with one and I was down again. I remounted but had to settle for second.

Race Three
I was hungry for a win and knew I was fast enough but the day's racing wasn't going to plan. I put it behind me and just focused on the race in hand. I got off to a good jump and was in 3rd position and pushed hard behind Hill and Del Busso but on a boggy part around the oak tree I changed my line and ended up upside down with the bike on top of me. I managed to remount and start the MarchantMx KTM but I was now in dead last.
So, with nothing to lose, I set to work to catch the other riders up and after a few laps I had moved into 4th position. I continued to push and got into 2nd behind Del Busso but I had Read breathing down my neck so I knew I had to make a move and on the lap before the last lap flag.

I managed to slot between a lapped rider and Del Busso to take the lead. I took a deep breath and never looked back and took the race win ( from dead last to 1st ).
 
The Wolverhampton club decided to run a fun race being it was the last meeting of the season. We had to run a short distance, start the bike and race a five lap race. it was a good laugh and I would like to say THANK YOU to Malk Palmer for the use of his Gordon's Removals 450 KTM.
 
I finished the day in 2nd position with just 1 point separating me and Read. I felt a bit cheated but if that is what people have to do to beat me then it's a bit SAD!
 
A big Thank You has to go to all the Wolverhampton Club members and committee for all their hard work in putting on the meetings. It hasn't been easy with the weather conditions but we made the best of them that we could.
 
Thank you to everyone that supports me and the team on and off the circuit.
Round 4 MX2 Championship at Branston
This week the MarchantMx team made their way to the Branston Circuit for the 4th round of the AMCA MX2 Championship. With a mixture of weather forecasts for the weekend it was going to be a gamble for Burntwood MXC, but all efforts were put in place for a good days racing. With the MX1 IMBA and MX2 Championship races and also 3 groups of support races, it was going to be a long day ahead.
 
Qualifying

The track had been heavily watered and with the MX2 Championship practice out first, I knew that the better times were going to be towards the end of the session when the track dried out and developed lines. I got in a early lap and posted 19th fastest but knew that the time wasn't good enough so I took a break and changed to my spare bike just to compare for the racing. I had now dropped down to 35th so I pushed for another fast lap and moved my way back into 19th fastest and the the session came to an end.
 
Race One

I was 19th fastest in qualifying but knew i could go faster so undeterred I lined up for the start. I had one thing on my mind and that was to get to the first turn in the top 5 and that is where I was but Lee Payne and Matt Porter collided just in front of me and quick reactions got me out of trouble but Iwas now in 7th position. I pushed hard to keep with the leading pack and was doing a good job but small mistakes were costing me time. I lost a place, which put me down in 8th, but continued to attack the Branston Circuit. Jack Taylor made a error and I moved back in to 7th position but now had Frayne and a hard charging Matt Porter close behind me and by the end of the race they both managed to pass me putting me down in 9th position and that is where I ended. A good result!
Race Two

I got off to another good start in 8th behind Owen Delaney. I pushed hard with Delaney but over the next few laps I was passed by Frayne, Dunham and Agius through the race dropping me to 12th position and James Shaw was also on my case. So we battled hard through the race as the gaps between us all were very close and just a small mistake by any of us would be costly but I managed to stay on two wheels and stayed in 12th position to the chequered flag. Some more valuable points scored.
 
Race Three

I just needed to have another consistent race and it would be a good point scoring day. I didn't get off to the start that I would have liked but I just dealt with it and tried to push forward. By now though the track had deteriorated badly and become one lined so it was hard to make up any time up so I just kept my head down and by 3/4 of the race I had got  into 14th position. On the last few laps I managed to move passed Pearce and Dobson and ended the race in 12th position.
 
I ended the day with 30 points and joint 10th overall with Aran Agius so another good day racing. I am still in 14th position in the overall standings but with just 14 points separating me and 10th position. So over the next few rounds I am going to step it up and see what happens and hopefully I can move up the table.
 
Thank you to everyone who supports me on and off the circuit.
Wolverhampton at Hungry Hill 27.07.08

This weekend was the turn of Wolverhampton and District Auto Club at Hungry Hill. With this being my riding club, we always try to run the meetings as best as we possibly can, so lots of effort was needed to keep to the standards of Mick Penn (the main man).

Everything was all in place for a good day's racing, with the track in good shape and watered well (some parts a little too well CHEERS WHIZZER!).
 
Practice

All the Experts were out together for first practise.  The track was grippy for the moment but with the Sidecar Championship races it would change the circuit before my first race so I just rode around to get into a good rhythm. But, with the sunshine beaming down on us, it was going to be a hot one!.
 
Race One

I got off to a good jump off the start gate in 2nd position but I was struggling to pass 38 as the sidecar race before my race had made the track shiney and one lined.

A small mistake saw Pete Weaver pass me but I pushed hard with Weaver and we were now 1st and 2nd. I wasn't too comfortable with the bike but continued to pressure Weaver right up to the end of the race but limited lines on the circuit was a problem to get the passes made. I ended the race in 2nd position just behind Weaver but I was to happy with the way I rode the race.

Race Two

The start gate was dropped and yet again I was in 2nd position behind 38 again but I wasn't going to make the same mistakes as I did in the first race and quickly passed 38 and pushed the pace to gap the other MX2 Expert riders. At the halfway point I had pulled a good 15 seconds on the others so I just rode around until the end of the race to take the win. 
 
Race Three

With the hottest recorded temperature this year the last race was going to be hard work on the bike and also the body, so a good start was required but that wasn't to be. I had a rubbish jump off the gate but managed to recover back to 4th position but with the track now hard and dusty and with the heat, it was going to be a struggle. I pushed hard to try and get in to the mix and with Read and Weaver in 1st and 2nd I just had to wait for a mistake but vision was a problem as they both was hitting the dusty berms so I was left guessing where I was going. So with consistent rides through the day I just had to finish where I was to take the overall win, so I used my head and not my heart and set to a steady pace to the finish flag.

It was a hard day for racing and also running a meeting but both ended well. So 1st overall on the hottest day of the year and a good meeting under the circumstances. So Well done to everyone in the Club for all their efforts.
 
Thank You for all the support on the track and to the companies supporting me and the team through the 2008 season. 
Burton at Stenson 20.07.08

This week the Marchantmx Team arrived at Stenson hosted by Burton MXC. The track had been changed from the previous meeting, so I was quite interested how the track would differ from the last meeting. The track itself had been watered and looked in good condition, but with sunshine and scattered clouds, it wouldn't be long before the track dried out.

Practice
I rode around the circuit and found that the ground was quite grippy but still very hard underneath the loose soil and with the club deciding not to water on the morning of the event, dust was going to be a problem later in the day. I found that the changes to the track made the circuit very fast and with the idea of the club putting the MX1 and MX2 Experts together it was going to be a hard day on the small capacity machines. Fortunately the club decided to score the two groups separately and three full 18 minutes races were  to be run (probably the best decision the club made all day).

Race One
I got off to a great jump off the gate but was soon gobbled up by the MX1 machines. I emerged out of the first turn in 3rd position and quickly passed number 98 to take 2nd position (1st MX2 Expert). So with Fish in front, I pushed hard to gap the other riders and try and close the gap on Fish but this was an impossible mission and Slesser on his 450 Honda was now breathing down my neck. After a few laps a mistake by me losing traction and the rear end of my machine saw Slesser power past me, so I re-grouped and pushed hard to keep Slesser in sight. Even though I was in a comfortable lead off the next MX2 Expert i still continued to push to the end of the race and finally finished in 3rd position (1st MX2 Expert).

Race Two
I got another great jump off the gate but in turn one, Fish was trying to use me as a safety post but a small adjustment and Fish fell to the ground. I stayed upright but was now buried in the pack, so I just used my head and with the dust now heavy I just picked off each rider one at a time. By 3/4 of the race I had managed to pass all the MX2 Expert riders and moved into 5th position with fellow Wolverhampton rider Edd Reynolds just in front of me. So I made a push to catch up to Reynolds but it was too late and although I had caught up to him I couldn't find a way past and ended up in 5th position, (but still 1st MX2 Expert).

Race Three
I adjusted my position on the start gate from the first two to try and not get boxed in the first turn and it worked. I was in 3rd position as we emerged from the dust and so I set a fast pace with Slesser and Fish but with the track condition now very hard and slippery I had to keep my head. Matt Lee, on a 500 Hybrid, was on a charge but I just got into a groove and never looked back and he faded and I was in a bit of a no-mans land with a gap in front and behind me so I just kept attacking the track to push myself, and I finally ended up in 3rd position (1st MX2 Expert).

It was good for me and the Team to pick up another 1st Overall and maximum, but the meeting was a bit of a disappointment with the changes made to the circuit and the club's running of the meeting and their decision making. But, as I said before, the only good decisions were made for our races. A good days racing for me and I showed a good fast pace against the MX1 riders and left the rest of the MX2 Experts in my dust.

Thanks to everyone of you for supporting me on and off the circuit.

AMCA MX2 Champs Rd 3 Ollerton 13.07.08
This week the MarchantMx team went to round 3 of the AMCA Championship hosted by Beavercotes (Ollerton MXC) at the Ollerton Circuit in Nottinghamshire. Everything was in place for a great days racing and with new team graphics on the bike and a lot of work getting the bikes in tiptop condition, I was looking forward to the racing.

Qualifying

The track was really good, very fast but everything a racer wants to see in a track, the bike felt good and I was enjoying the practice session. The board was shown for the start of timed training and I pushed hard on the lap to get a early time in and it was 8th fastest so I continued for a few more laps but I didn't get a clear lap and I was having problems with selecting gears so my session was over qualifying 18th fastest time. But I knew that with a good start I would be able to pick up the pace.

Race One

I lined up and it was showtime, the board was turned to 5 and I was off to a great start and by the second turn I was well in the top 10. I pushed hard and made a pass on Matt Porter down a steep down hill and moved in to 6th position. With the track very fast and changing every lap, I made a few small mistakes over the far side of the circuit and Simon Lane and Jack Taylor took advantage. On lap three I was getting problems from a sub-frame bolt which was breaking off and my left boot was getting caught on it, which was causing me problems when trying to change gear and cornering. I was losing time and places but I still continued to push and by the end of race the race I was pushed down to 15th position. I was a little disappointed but I scored points to add to the standings.

Race Two

I didn't get off to a good start this time and got pushed out in the first turn but by the first lap I had pushed past about 10 riders into 14th position. As the laps continued me and Lee Payne had a little battle and with Dobson and having made a mistake, I moved up into 11th position and settled in to a good pace but on the final lap I made a mistake and Jamie Dobson took me and I had to settle for 12th position. I was happy with the result but with the bad start I didn't help myself. 

Race Three

This time I got another great start and on lap 1 I was lying in 7th position with Porter and Mathia just in front of me and a lot of MX2 riders breathing down my neck.

I tried to keep a good pace but Delaney and James Lane relegated me but I just continued to keep with them in tow and at the half way point I made a mistake over the back of the circuit and Carl Benjamin dropped me to 9th position.

On a few laps from the end Delaney made a mistake and I moved into 8th and still in tow of Benjamin and Lane but we all keeped upright and I finally ended the race in 8th position. 

The day was a good day and even with the problems we had suffered I still ended up in 10th position overall. I am still in 14th position in the standings but I have closed in on points on Dobson and Agius.

I have to thank the team, everyone that is involved in the team and also for all your support. 
Acorns at Sandbach 06.07.08

This week the MarchantMx Team travelled to the Acorns MXC new track Sandbach Raceway. The circuit looked good and fast, so everything was in place for a good days racing. The aim for the day was to get some testing on the bike ready for the AMCA Championship meeting next week at Beavercotes, Ollerton and of course to hopefully keep the winning up.

Practice

The track was a little tricky as the ground was loose on the top but hard underneath so throttle control was going to be the key. I continued around the circuit to try out the new suspension that we had to try of Bob Hill (Dan Hill's Dad) and it was working well and the bike's motor also felt strong.

The only thing that I throught need to be said about the circuit was the jumps were a little dangerous due to them not shaped properley but everything else was good.

Race One

I got off to a top 3 start and quickly pushed into 2nd position behind a fast starting Pete Weaver. Me and Weaver pushed hard and on lap 2 I made a pass on him in a sweeping left hand turn just after the bomb hole, but I didnt get a good enough drive out of the turn and Weaver repassed me.

I continued to pressure Weaver and on the next lap on the same turn he lost control and hit the deck and that was the mistake I was waiting for and took the Lead. I had now a big enough lead to ride steady and safe and took the race win.

Race Two

The weather took a turn for the worse and the rain lashed down for the second race but I got of to another good start. The track was water logged and it was puddle after puddle so I had to ride smart and try to stay upright and on lap 2 I had made my way into 2 position again, but the rain was still falling hard.

Weaver was in the lead and he had got a few seconds gap on me as I was riding a little to steady due to the weaher and track conditions. But I stepped up my pace and soon closed in on Weaver and, on the last turn, I slipped underneath Weaver and took the lead and the last lap flag, and another mistake by Weaver in the next corner left me with another easy win, but I was wet through my under crackers!

Race Three

The rain had gone but had left the track in a big mess and I only had to come in the top 10 to secure the overall. So with a low turn out of riders the overall was in the bag, all I had to do was finish the race.

I got off to another ok start but the track was a mess so I just rode around and of course had to pick up the MarchantMx Ktm a few times but finally finished in 4th position and picked up 1st overall in the MX2 Expert.

Another good day, except the weather but I would like to thank everyone involved with the MarchantMx team and roll on next week at the Championship, let's see if I can put in some good point scoring races.
Walsall at Hobs Hole 29.06.08

The Marchantmx Team arrived at the Hobs Hole Circuit, I can be honest and say it is a track that I am a big fan of. My aims for the day were to set a good pace and push hard all through the race and also to double enter into the MX1 Experts to get a little more bike time and fitness.

It was time for practice and, as I rode around the Hobs Hole Circuit, I found out the adjustments that the Walsall Club had made as I was thrown into the air and then came back down to earth with a thud over every jump on the Circuit but the table top. I continued the practice just trying to find a good rhythm and looked for future lines.

Race One

The gate dropped and we were off. I got into turn one in the top 3 but the first turn on the track is probably the worst in Britain. I lost some time and dropped behind Craig Chamberlain in 5th position. We all battled; me, Chamberlain and Reed. I passed Clamberlain and put pressure on Reed and at the halfway point I made a mistake and clipped Reed in a corner and hit the deck. I quickly remounted back behind Chamberlain but there was a few seconds gap so I pushed hard and closed them back. I took Reed around the pylon corner and I pushed hard behind Chamberlain but in my focus It was too little too late and ended in 2nd position.

Race Two

I got off to a good start in 2nd behind Chamberlian, But I had Fish and Slesser on my case I  pushed with Chamberlian but Fish put the extra horsepower to his advantage and passed me and Chamberlian, then Chamberlian made a big mistake and I continued to push behind Fish but Slesser made a pass on me, but I kept focussed and made a pass on Slesser and started to close the gap on Fish. By the end of the race I had closed the gap to a few seconds and took the win MX2 Expert.

Race Three

It was all down too the last race between me and Chamberlian so a good start was needed but, with heavy rain just before the race, the track looked a little tricky. Both me and Chamberlian both got of to good start so with Fishy and Slesser out of the way me and Chamberlian battled hard through the race and I put a lot of pressure on him but with the track conditions still tricky it was hard to pass and Chamberlian was trying out some old-school moves to get a mistake, but I have been racing for a long enough time to not fall for them so I tested the line that I would make the pass and I did and it was clean on the last lap. It was close at the finish but I took the win and the overall on the day.

A good day overall and another 1st overall so It couldn't have been better

Thank you to the people involved in the MarchantMx team:

FeehilyMx, Foto-x, Find ur Stuff, Fro System, Rogers Rescue and my very supportive family.     
Shrewsbury at Condover 22.06.08

The Marchantmx team were back to full strength and I was looking forward to a days racing at the Condover Circuit. The Shrewsbury Club had put a lot of effort into preparing the circuit and with rain fall running up to the meeting, the track looked in just the right condition.

Qualifying was fast as the MX2 class was first on the track, and after about 10 minutes on the track some good lines were starting to develop. It was hard work trying to get a clear lap, as the track's layout was fast, it made overtaking a problem. So, after a few laps, I set a time that by the end of the qualifying session I was 27th fastest. I could have probably got a faster time but I decided to try the other bike for the better opition.

Race One and I was all ready for the off. The gate dropped and I got tangled up with another rider and by the time I got sorted I was buried in the pack so I pushed hard but I got caught up in a pile up. After the dust settled, I continued pushing but it was hard work and, about at the halfway point of the race, I ran into problems and found myself taking a de-tour through the ropes after tangling with another rider.  I got back into the race down in last position and rode hard until the end but could only manage to get back into 26th position.

After a dreadful race one it was time to see what the second race had in stall for me. I got off to a better start and managed to keep everything on two wheels as after the first race I needed points. I rode a conservative race and took no chances. 

I ended the race in 15th position. I was a bit disapointed in my riding but I knew I needed the points.

It was now time for the last race and I needed to do the same as I had done in race two. I got off to the best start of the day just outside of the top 15.

I pushed hard through the race, but with the track still slippery from the water that had been layed down a race before mine, I just kept my head and managed to end the the last race of the day in 12th position.

It had been a hard day and I didn't really enjoy riding the way I had to for points but sometimes you just have to admit that today isn't your day so just make the most of it. I still lie in 14th position in the overall standings so with six more rounds still to go, who knows what will happen but I am in a better position than I was in 2007, so let's see what the future brings.  

Cannock at Abbotts Bromley

It was a early start for me this weekend as my Dad was missing due to him taking my mom away for a well deserved holiday. So with me on my own I got myself over to the Abbotts Bromley circuit travelling light. It was the first time seeing and racing on this track. The Cannock Club had put in a lot of work perparing the circuit and with great weather everything was in place for a good days riding.  

My practice was underway and the track was quite tricky as a lot of water had been put on to the circuit to keep the dust down and parts of the circuit was like riding on marbles. The track had a good layout but I knew it was going to be a hard day as Dale Halls, a Cannock Club member, knows the track like the back of his hand so my aim was just to stay safe and consistant so I can drive myself back home.

There was a little confussion from the club about when they were going to water the circuit again and YES you guessed it just before my first race MX2 Experts. With the track now freshly watered we were set for race one. The gate dropped and I got into third behind Tom Fish and Charlie Hollis whom had both double entered. I was passed by Dale Halls which didn't worry me too much as I needed some lines and to judge how fast he was around the circuit. I continued around the very slippery circuit and Dale had pulled a few seconds on me, but at the halfway point of the race I started to get to grips with the track and narrowed the gap on Halls but time was against me and I had to settle for second place.  

I lined up for race two and with the track now looking very hard, another good start was needed. But I didn't get a good jump off the gate and was back in sixth and after I got myself into second, Fish, Hollis and Halls had pulled a good gap so I just plugged away lap after lap then I saw that Halls had got bike problems and took the lead from Halls and continued to push trying new lines and with a big lead now between me and Halls I took a easy win.  

It was the last and final race and with me and Dale matched on points it was time to battle it out and with Fish and Hollis out of the race the spotlight was on us. The 15 second board was shown and it was showtime. I shot out of the gate and grabbed the holeshot and pushed hard and with Halls on my case I just had to keep it together, but halfway around the circuit I hit a bump wrong and it sent me wide around a left-hand turn and Halls took advantage to slip on the inside of me taking the lead but I slotted in behind him and watched his lines I kept close and both of us had some sketchy moments over the next few laps then I knew that it was time to push for the win before it was to late. Then Halls made the mistake and slipped off the bike so I pushed hard for the next few laps keeping together and then the Last lap flag was shown so It was in the bag. I just kept on the inside of every turn and I took the win and the overall.  

It was a good day for me, I had a bit of luck but after all the bad luck I have had over the last year and also the start of this year, it was nice to have things go my way. Five wins out of the last six races is a big confidence boost so lets see what happens the rest of the season.  

I again would like to thank everyone that supports me around the circuit and checks out the website. And to all the people behind me helping out the MarchantMx Team and hope the results continue.      
Acorns at Peacocks Hey

It was the weekend of the British World GP at Mallory Park and the Acorns Club decided to run their meeting at Peacocks Hey. With lots of people choosing to go and watch the British GP the turn out of riders wasn't great.

The Peacocks Hey circuit had been revamped over the winter, with a lot of changes to the layout of the track. I am not going to say whether it was for the better or worse, but like everything the work had been put in by the track owner John Mechin and with even more changes to be made in the near future, it can only be a good thing.

Practice was under way and I just cruised around and just got used to the new layout and my bike as I was back on my other KTM for this meeting, so I just continued around until the end of the session. I had mixed feeling about the track layout but I knew that the track would change throughout the day.

It was time for Race One and with a good start in mind I knew I could go on to win the races but as you will find out, I can never have a easy day. I got out to a good start and quickly pushed passed Chris Hill and I just had fellow wolves rider Edd Rynolds who had doubled entered on his 250 two stroker. I made a pass on him and just had a open circuit in front of me so I just pushed through the first half of the race, pulling a big gap between me and Hill so I just settled down into a comfortable pace to take the win.

After a long wait for Race Two I was just hoping for the same as race one. I didn't get off to the best of starts but by the first turn I was in 4th position and I just knew I had the speed to pass them in front but I just took my time and by the second lap I was at the front again so I pushed to gap from the other MX2 Experts and by the end of the race I had pulled another big lead and took the win again.

The final Race wasn't going to be as easy! On the first start I launched off the start and had a top 3 start but after a few corners I had pushed my way into the lead. I just settled in to a fast pace only to have the red flag shown due to incident. The race was restarted and after a bit of a drama with my bike not wanting to start but we quickly bumped it and we were back in business.

I managed to get a top 3 start again and quickly got myself into the lead and it was time to push and I again gapped the rest of the MX2 Experts but the drama wasn't over and on the 4th lap I had picked up a rear wheel punture.

I tried to push as hard as I could but I knew I had to try and play it safe, so I rode around the circuit just hoping for the back wheel just to hold together I wasn't pressured but knew that I may have to give up the lead just to finish and take the overall. Chris Hill was racing hard, as he probably could see I was having problems, but all I could do was just wait and hope.

The last lap was finally show but Hill had cut my lead and there was just a few seconds between us but I managed to finish the race just in front of Hill to take the maximum. I was relieved and happy just to finish the race so the way it all ended gave the spectators that stayed to watch a bit of drama.

Thanks to everyone that supports me and the team on and off the track, and a Well Done has to go to my Fiancee Becki on her young horse Jodocus who also won her class at a showjumping event at Rudge. So a happy day all-round! (see my results section and click on Becki and Jodocus to read her report).
MX1 Championships Rd 1 at Hungry Hill

The time was finally here for the first round of the AMCA Championship. With a lot of effort from my riding club, Wolverhampton and District Auto Club, the whole of the event was going to be one of the biggest of the year. With good help from all the club members and especially Mick Penn, the rest of the committee and with help from the Foto-x team, the event set up and advertising was great.

On the lead up to the event the track had been revamped with sections of the track having tons and tons of soil laid on to it, and even with mixed weather on the lead up to the event, the track was in good shape.

It was a gamble with the weather as the forecast was saying that it was going to be a wet one, and on this rare occasion they were right. The rain was here for the day but as they say the show must go on!

Practice/Qualifying

Even with constant rain the track was still riding good with dry lines all around the track. I pushed for a fast lap as the timed session started. I made a good enough time to be 16th fastest MX2 rider so I decided to not do any more as the track was starting to feel the strain of the weather, and so was my bike!.

Race One

I ended up in 17th position after the qualifying was over so I was happy with this as I knew I had more in the tank for the races. I lined up with the other MX2 Championship riders, all of us were fired up and ready to do battle. Then the 15 second board was shown and the adrenalin was pumping round my body then the board turned to 5 seconds and I was off. I had a great jump out of the gate and was in the top 5 going into the following corners, the track was quite muddy, so with the great start the hard work was done all I had to do was to stay on and ride consistent.

The track was tricky and with two parts of the track extremely difficult It was hard not to make mistakes, but I managed to stay strong and managed to give myself some breathing room from the riders behind me. With me now in 8th position and riders just a few seconds in front of me, I made the decision to stay safe and see what happened.

I had lost my goggles and it was now hard work to push hard, so I kept close enough to Jamie Dobson who was in 7th position and hoped for some mistakes from the riders in front but it wasn't to be so at the end of the race I settled for 8th position. I was pleased with the result as you all know mud isn't my fortay!.

Race Two

With a good result in race one, I was looking for the same in this race so we all lined up. The weather was still s**t and the track looked the same. I knew a good start was necessary again so I shot out of the start once again and going into the second turn in the top 5 again the bike cut out.

So I quickly bumped the bike but dropped into a deep rut which knocked the bike into neutral so in a few seconds of fustration I managed to get everything back in order but I had lost a lot of time and places.

I was now just out of the top 10 so I set to work pushing past rider after rider and at the halfway point of the race I had pushed myself into 8th position but I had picked up a front wheel puncture, which was causing me problems and then all the hard work was all for nothing as my bike cut out in the same corner as before causing me to loose my footing and hit the deck.

I quickly got the MarchantMx KTM upright but I kicked and kicked the machine then eventually it started and I continued around the very muddy circuit to take a gamble as lots of riders had retired and were having problems too.

I just might get 1 point but at the end of the race I had only made it back into 23rd position so I was a bit gutted but I tried and gave it 110% but it wasn't to be the day was just hard work from start to finish.

I finally ended the day with 13 points and in 15th position overall but with the way the weather was all day it was a good result.

A big well done has to go to everyone involved in the Wolverhampton & DAC all the efforts were great and we can all can hold our heads up high as we couldn't order the weather but we still put in more effort then any other club have done to date!

Well done everyone!

Thank you to everyone involved in the MarchantMx team and hope we can get the results we deserve at the next Championship round.
Kinver at Upton Court
This week I took full advantage of the freedom of choice given to me so me and the Marchantmx team went out to Kinver Club's Upton Court track. I hadn't raced on this track since the first time that the Kinver Club used the track back in 2006.
   
We arrived at the Upton Court circuit and the sky was blue, It was going to be a hot day. My first thoughts of the track was it looked good and with the revamped jump now on the track I was looking forward to practice.
   
I set off around the circuit, it was a bit tricky in places as the track had been watered heavily to keep the dust at bay. The track's layout was good but some of the jumps had some kickers on the take off and one caughtt me out and sent me nose diving, I saved it but my ankle took the brunt of it all. So I struggled around for the rest of the session but it put a bit of a downer on the day.
 
It was time for race one and with the incident in the practice session, I wasn't sure what the rest of the day might bring. I put it all behind me and just focused on the start, I got a great jump and by the second turn I was in 3rd position with Livesey and Fish, the only two riders from the MX1 Experts double entering to mix it with the MX2 Experts, so I made it my aim to give them a good race. I quickly passed Livesey and set my sights on Tom Fish who had managed to pull a small gap on me.  I put everything that I could into catching Fish and closed him in and on a slippery corner he made the mistake I needed and I took the lead from him.
  
I pushed hard and so did Fish but I started to make a few little mistakes and was losing time to him and then he made a pass back on me on the uphill step up and with the double cc bike underneath him he took advantage and made the pass stick we both pushed each other hard for the rest of the race, I had pulled a big gap on the rest of the MX2 Expert field and then it was over. But although Fish won the race he wasn't included in the result so the win was passed to me with Chad Yarrington and Craig Chamberlain rounding out the top 3.
    
The time had come for race two, and with the result in race one I was hoping for another good start but it wasn't to be and by the first turn I was well down the pack in the MX2 Experts about 15Th position. I tried to get pastas many riders as I could, as quick as I could and with heavy dust this wasn't very easy but at about mid way through the race I had managed to pull back up to 3rd position (2ND MX2 Expert). I continued to push hard to catch Yarrington and Fish but time was running out and on the lap before the final lap I had a problem as my foot rest dug into the ground around a left-hand bend and shot me off the bike. I quickly jumped back on to my feet and remounted the still running Marchantmx KTM. The bike was a little bent and it took me a few corners to get back going but in my minute of madness, Chamberlain had passed me and with only 1 lap left I had to come up with something quick!. I made a clean pass back on Chamberlain and finally finished in 3rd position but with Fish excluded I was 2ND behind Chad Yarrington.
  
It was all down to the last race Marchant vs Yarrington, so I think both of us wanted to get one over on each other. We both jumped out of the start and we was bar to bar going into the first turn but with Livesey just in front of us. I pushed hard to pass Yarrington but he made it his duty to use all of the race track and over the race we had some contact between us but with us both having respect for each other as racers and it turned out a great race between us but a few laps from the end a small mistake left my ankle sore and had to settle for 2ND position.
  
With 2ND overall on the day, It was not a bad day after all and It probably did me and Chad good, as I have got a bit more confident with my speed and pace, so with the first round of the AMCA Championship just around the corner it was good to have a good day racing.

I would like to thank everyone behind Marchantmx and also you for taking time to check out the website.
Hawkstone Park
It had been a busy weekend with me moving into my new house leading up to race day, so the Marchantmx Team arrived at the World famous Hawkstone Park motocross track on the Monday for the South Staffs Meeting. I was excited to ride the track as the last time I raced on the track was in an AMCA Championship round in 2006.
 
The track was looking in good shape and I was happy to see that the Hawkstone Hill was included in the layout of the track. Everything was ready including myself for the practice session.
 
In practice the track was a little wet on the top surface due to overnight rain, but I knew that it would dry out through the day along with the boggy places. I felt good, that was until Nate Palmer filled me in over one of the Hawkstone jumps which wrecked my goggles roll off film, so I had to continue around till the end of the session with no goggles (dam yellow flags at the start of practice).
 
It was time for race one and with some people having raced on the Sunday, these riders would be in good form today so getting a good start was essential. I got a top five start and by the first lap I had moved into second position behind Dale Halls.

I pushed hard but found myself loosing more time to Dale then gaining it. This was due to the gearing on the bike was not quite right for the track conditions and I was now under pressure from Craig Chamberlain.

He made the pass and I had to settle for third position by the end of the race. I knew that with the gearing changed for race two I would be back up at the front.

We got the gearing on the bike changed and I got everything ready for race two. On the start line I had to get a killer start and that is what happened, I shot out of the start and was just pipped for the hole shot by the fast starting and newly upgraded DJ from the Cannock club. I made the pass by the second corner and with a clear track in front of me I pushed hard and managed to gap the rest of the Expert racers.

But, in the middle of the race, I made a mistake around a right hand corner which resulted in me crashing into the chestnut fencing damaging my right arm. I managed to stop on my bike but I couldn't feel my right arm and found it hard to continue around the demanding circuit. I gritted my teeth and with Dale now in the lead I had to settle for second position. I was so angry with myself as I had set a good pace and felt good enough to have won the race.

It was now time for race three I was pumped up and ready for action. The 15 second board turned to 5 seconds and we were off. I was in 3rd position behind Dale and Craig and we both soon found our way past Craig and we both set a fast pace.

I battled with Dale for a good four laps until I made a mistake in the woods and found myself on the deck. I got my Marchantmx KTM 250f fired back up and I continued with the race.

I got back into a fast pace but I was now in sixth position. I managed to get into 5Th position and was starting to close on 4Th but Dale had some mechanical problems so with his misfortune this pushed me up into 4Th position and this is where I finished.

The day had been a bit of disappointment for me and the team, although I had finished 3rd overall. I knew that the result should have been better. I will be going into next week a little more focused and hopefully get back in to the rhythm that I started the season with.
 
Thank you for you time and see you next week.
Burntwood at Branston
I arrived at the Branston circuit hosted by the Bruntwood Club. It was slightly overcast and with the weather forecast saying that rain was likely.

The Expert group was put to a unlimited group and with some Championship riders there was going to be some good racing. On the whole the track looked good and the club had put in all their efforts for their first meeting,

Time for practice and we all set off around the circuit. We didn't waste any time setting a fast pace and it was like a freight train. But on the 2nd lap my bike started to feel funny and I thought the rear wheel was puntured but I couldn't quite see, so I got the bike back to the van to find out that the back wheel had collasped.

We managed to get the bike sorted out and lined up for race one. I knew a good start was needed as there was some good competition. I got a good jump of the gate but got blocked in the first turn and was in about 5th position behind Shaun Pearce.

Within two laps I had moved into 4th position. Me and Shaun was pushing each other and we eventually caught up with Dale Halls and with Tom Fish just in front of him, it was all tightening up.

After about five laps I began to struddle with the bike's suspension and my arm began to hurt as the track was getting rougher lap after lap. So I rode around steady to finally take the chequered flag in 4th position. I was a bit p###ed with myself.
Something had to be done to the suspension on the bike, so the Marchantmx team decided to change the front forks from out of the old bike and changed the gearing. So then it was showtime, we all lined up and the 15 second board was shown then 5 and the gate dropped. I shot out of the gate and came out of the first turn in 3rd and before the next few corners I passed the 250 2 stroke rider and was now behind Fish.

Me and Fish pushed hard all race long and with only a few seconds parting us. Mistakes would only change the results but we both made no mistakes so I finally ended up in 2nd position but we had gapped the rest of the Expert unlimited group.

I was pleased with all the changes to the bike and I was now on joint points with Dale Halls in 2nd, so it was all down to the last race. I jumped out of the start like a man possessed  but Fish and Pearce managed to just slot in front of me so I managed to push past Pearce and made it my target to catch Fish and closed the gap that he had pulled. It was now only a few seconds and then the Red flag was shown due to an incident and the race was to be restarted. I wasn't to happy as there was a big nasty black cloud on the way over head.

The race was restarted and like I thought I didn't get a great start and I had Fish, Halls, Pearce and now Jamie Dobson was in the mix through the race I managed to get in to 4th position but then the rain started and the track was getting slippy every lap and two laps from the end Halls made a mistake and I moved into 3rd position and all I had to do was finish where I was and 2nd overall was in the bag. So I gingerly worked my way around the track which was now like a ice rink but I finished.

I came 2nd overall on the day and the first 250f machine, so with all the problems today it turned out to be a good result.

Thank you to everyone involved with the team and thank you for supporting me and my website.

Next week report will be from the most famous track in Britian, Hawkstone Park, so see you there.
Walsall at Hobs Hole
I will admit I wasn't looking forward racing at the Hobs Hole circuit but, as it is in my area group, it is either ride here or go practicing now that the AMCA have stopped the freedom of choice.

We arrived at the track after a night of light rain, It looked muddy but not as bad as the last time I raced there. We eventually got on the paddock and started to sort out the bike and get ready for practice

Practice was as good as it looked, muddy and hard going, but I started to get into a rhythm. The track was starting to cut up and some deep ruts were starting to develop. I made a small mistake in the same corner that a lap before Nate Palmer was in a big heap. I quickly remounted the Marchantmx KTM and continued with the rest of practice. I wasn't too happy with my riding but with some good starts, I knew I had the pace.

Race One didn't quite go to plan and with a bad start, I knew I had my work cut out. I quickly got myself into 4th position behind Derek Read, Dale Halls and Pete Weaver. I made a pass on read but there was now a good gap between me and Pete. I pushed to close the gap but I wasn't following with the bike and was making too many mistakes. Read re-passed me on the last lap and I couldn't make the pass stick and ended up in 4th position. As you can imagine I was pretty annoyed with myself.

Race Two: I knew I had to pull out all the stop in race two, as Dale and Pete had set a good fast pace so my focus was on the start. I got into the first turn in 3rd but then I got knocked across the track by Pete Weaver who was forced into me. I managed to stay on the Marchantmx KTM and got myself back on track. I was now buried in the MX2 Expert pack so I pushed to pass a group of riders all huddled together waiting for the dryer inside line, only to miss shift while going around the outside line and now had a one way ticket to having another close inspection of the Hobs Hole circuit.

I finally managed to remove my leg that was stuck under the bike and quickly remounted and started the Marchantmx KTM. I was dead last and a mountain to climb. So I continued around the circuit and managed to pass rider after rider and eventually I had caught up to 4Th position and I was motoring. I made the pass on Chris Hill and set my sights on read whom was in 3rd but with all my efforts the race was over. I was angry with myself again as without these mistakes I could win, but it wasn't meant to be.

Race Three: With one more race I had one aim to win. We all lined up for race three and I lined next to the starter box, I got a great jump and pushed to the first turn but gave Dale a bit too much room and he managed to drop in the inside rut and I had to gingerly ride the off camber corner and Read slipped inside me too. I knew I had to get behind Dale as quickly as I could and with read blocking me as much as he could, I finally made the pass on him and with about a good five second gap between Me and Dale, I pushed hard to close it. But still making silly mistakes, I was finding it hard to close the gap but then I made some fast laps and was right on his case. It was now the last lap and time to push for the win but Dale dived on the inside rut around the pile-on so I chose to give it a blaste around the outside but I was in foreign land and not knowing the line I made a big bobble and Dale pulled a few seconds gap again and it was all over ending in 2nd position.
The day overall wasn't great but I managed to walk away with 2ND Overall on the day. I wasn't happy with my riding even with the last ride you know as a racer how you should flow with the machine but I felt a little ragged. Maybe next week will be different as it is the first time back at the Branston circuit hosted by the Burtwood MXC and just maybe the track might be dry!

Thank you to the people behind the Marchantmx team  and also to my good supporting family. Check out the new arrivals to the MarchantMX Team (above centre). Mom and pups doing well.
Burton at Stenson
Despite the bad weather we have had over the past few weeks, the track looked in good condition but patches of the track would be a little harder going. Full marks to Burton MCC for putting in a lot of effort to get the meeting running as a lot of clubs had to cancel their meetings due to wet conditions, so we got the KTM250F race bike out and ready for practice.
  
As you will know by looking at the pictures, guess who forgot their race kit! Luckily Rob Passmore, a fellow Wolverhampton MXC member, had a spare set of kit for me to use for the day, so THANKS ROB!
 
PRACTICE
After the kit drama was sorted, I got out on the Stenson circuit. I was enjoying tackling the track and the muddy areas were starting to develop some deep ruts but I was feeling good, well that was until I railed a banked corner only to be facing in the opposite direction on the exiting straight and to make matters worse my rear mudguard had been folded like a piece of paper wrecking the new graphics on the bike (BUMMER!)
  
RACE ONE
We made some changes to the bike for the first race, changing the rear wheel to get some Michelin grip as the standard Bridgestone tyres were causing me problems and it worked. I got off to a good start and with Dale Halls in the lead just in front of me we both pushed hard setting a fast pace and after a few laps we had gaped the rest of the MX2 Experts.
  
I was making a lot of mistakes and had to keep playing catch up but I got crossed rutted on a wall jump and ended up rolling around in the big heap on the top of it and yes I know I should have gone to the left side of the jump!
 
I quickly got back on the bike and continued to push to catch Dale back up, But after closing the gap I found myself on the deck again, I struggled to start the bike but eventually it fired up and I was away again. I was now in 6th place and with no more time left that was where I finished.
  
RACE TWO
After race one I was still unhappy with the bikes' front end so we replaced the front wheel also for a wheel with a Michelin tyre on it. I was now time for race two, I got off to a great start but a boggy line caused the front end to lift down the start straight so I had to let the power off slightly, but this gave everyone chance to close around me and on exiting the first turn I was in second again behind Dale.
  
With Dale also choosing to race in the MX1 Experts, I used his knowledge of the track and watched his lines. We both pulled out another big gap from the rest of the MX1 Expert riders and the bike felt a lot better with the Michelin's now on the bike, but again I had the speed to close on Dale rear tyre but I just didn't have anymore speed around the track to pass him and I was starting to get a bit p***ed off and I was also now suffering with a massive headache over my eyes which was taking my concentration, so I eased off to get to the chequed flag in one piece.
    
RACE THREE
After taking some headache pills, I lined up for race three, but when the gate dropped I was faced with my gate still in the up-right position but as everyone rode over the gate my gate dropped so I just continued up the start straight. By the second turn, I had slotted myself behind Dale again who had also got a bad start. We now both had are sights on Rob Passmore who had got the hole-shot and was still in first place. We both made clean passes on him and was now in first and second.
   
I pushed Dale hard around the circuit trying to get a mistake out of him but to be fair we were both making little mistakes so I couldn't quite make a pass. I wrecked all my chances of maybe getting past Dale when I went down a few laps from the end. I just think it was one of those days and no matter what I did the outcome as always was going to be the same (SHIT!)
  
I finally finished 3rd overall which after the day I had, it was OK but the main thing was that I was a bit bruised but I was still in one piece.
  
Thank you for checking out the website and also to everyone involved with the MARCHANTMX team and hopefully my luck will change and start to get everything back on track.
Sedgley at Pattingham

Great sequence above...What happened next?

I was looking forward to riding the Pattingham track this weekend as this is close to where I live with Becki and a lot of my friend come and see me race, But with weather conditions still UN-settled it was going to a gamble how the meeting would turn out but  Sedgley MXC had put things in place and they had made a good job grading the Pattingham circuit.
  
Practice: The order of practise was changed due to track conditions, And that meant that the Experts was to go out first. 
  
The track was quite wet on the top but before the end of the practise session there were dry lines appearing around the circuit, And with glorious sunny weather the track was only going to get dryer through the day.
 
Race One: With the track now dry, I knew it was essential to get a good start. I got a good jump out of the gate but was just pipped out of the hole-shot by Dan Hill, We both pushed hard but Dan was using all of the track to his advantage but I knew I had to get passed him, So I set up a pass on Dan but we end ed up collided with each other. We both managed to stop on our bikes but I had smashed my nuts off the fuel tank and they were now at the back of my throat! 
  
After getting over the nut cracker problem I now had Dan and Dale Halls to contend with so I started to push around the Pattingham circuit and closed the gap between us, But the fun wasn't over yet and I made a BIG mistake over the Pattingham step down, Where I had hit a kicker on the take off and was now  had my front end pointing at the sky and my feet were thrown off the foot rests (superman style), you can image what was going through my mind but what ever I did it worked I landed and stayed on the machine (save of the century). I had landed the bike and I was still on the bike but my nuts was back in my throat and properly the only human with three Adams Apples. I continued round the track as sick as a dog but Dan Hill had made a mistake and I was now in second so I just held on in there and that is were I finished. What a relief!
  
Race Two: After a long rest (i wasn't complaining) we was ready on the start, The gate dropped and we was off! had another good start in second behind Pete Weaver. I was all over him and knew I needed to make the pass fast but before the first lap was over the race was red flagged. Dan Hill was the cause and was in a bad way but eventually managed to walk off the track but he had picked up some bad injuries. 
  
The race was re-started and I didn't quite get the start I wanted, I was mid pack and had work to do.  By the second lap I had got myself into third behind Dale and Jack Cox but there was a slight gap between us so I pushed to catch them and Jack made a big mistake in a right hand corner and that pushed me up into second position. There was still about a 8 second gap between me and Dale, So I knew I had to push to the limit if I was going to catch Dale.  
  
I narrowed the gap between us but now I had got bigger problems the bike was making slight noises which I wasn't happy with, so I decided to just concentrate on finishing and nurse the bike home, This was working for about 3 laps but on the last lap just only yards away from the cheques flag the bike stopped. (what a bummer)
  
Summary: I can only be happy with my riding but if its not your day, there is nothing you can do about it. Dad will be on a mission to sort the bike problem out and with some more money throw at it the bike will be back on the track soon enough.
  
I would like to Dan Hill to Get Well Soon and have a speedy recovery. 
 
  
Thank you to all the sponsor's behind MarchantMx race team there support through the 2008 season.
  
Next week I will be Racing the Super-class, I am currently in 13Th Position and the 3rd 250F rider, so hopefully with a good day I would be happy if I could get into the top 10. (But we will have to see.) so check out what happened early part of next week.
  
Thank you for taking the time to check out my website and all your support.
Walsall at Hobs Hole

There was a bit of a question mark on this weekend not only due to the weather over the few days running up to the event but I wasn't feeling 100% and I think that I made the wrong decision and maybe should have stayed in bed. 
 
The Marchantmx team arrived at the Hobs Hole track, and with a grey filled sky, it just didn't seem a good day to race. The Walsall club had done some work on the track over the Winter but with the weather not on their side it was turned into a boggy mess.

Practice: With me not in good intention's I pretty much missed practice, but the one lap I did the track was as bad as it looked and as I have never been know as a good mud rider, I wasn't looking forward to the races but I said to myself "It’s the same for everyone". 
  
Race one: I got off to a not so good start and with the track a bit one lined I found it hard to get past people. I managed to get into 3rd but when pushing to catch up to Dale Halls and Jack Cox I went down, I quickly remounted and continued on with the race but it wasn't long before I was back eating the Hobs Hole dirt.

I picked up the bike for the second time but I was now pushed into fourth behind Pete Weaver on his new Honda.

At this point of the race I was starting to feel weak and my chest was like someone was standing on it, so I just rode around to try and finish, but there wasn't just me having problems. Dale Halls on his new KTM had dropped it and was struggling to start the machine so I was happy to take the position off him and eventually finished the race in third.
  
Race two: I was starting to feel drained and just hoped for a good start but it wasn't to be and I found myself back in the top 10. I pushed as hard as I could but it was like everything was against me, and I just kept on making silly mistakes and after picking the bike up a couple of times I finally finished in 6th position. "gutted" 
  
Race three: After a quick cat nap between the races I felt a little bit more refreshed but lady luck wasn't still on my side and with another bad start I was quickly deflated and again found myself on the ground, I quickly remounted but the effort to catch back up I had lost my concentration  due to a brick had lodged into my gear shifter and went down again, I had problems restarting the bike and by the time I got it going I found myself a lap down and at the end of the race.

The day was probably one I would like to forget, with everything against me my fitness, the bike and my head I can only be happy to come away in one piece and with the thought "there is always next week".  So I am going to re-group and get back to 100% and come out next week guns blazing, I will see you all at AirfIeld Farm, hosted by Midland Social MXC. Thank you to everyone behind the marchantmx team, Find Ur Stuff, Feehilymx, Thor, foto-x and welcome Nick, Richard and Roger Dawson from Rogers Rescue Recovery for all their support.
Superclass at Polesworth
THIS WEEKEND WAS GOING TO BE HARD AS I WAS INVOLVED IN THE AMCA SUPERCLASS THIS IS THE FIRST CHANCE TO SEE THE TWO CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP MX1 AND MX2 GO TO BATTLE FOR THE SUPERCLASS TITLE ONLY THE TOP 18 FROM EACH GROUP ARE INVOLVED AND THE CHANCE TO TRY AND PICK UP THE IMBA EUROPEAN WILDCARD THAT IS UP FOR GRABS FOR THE GB EVENT SO WE ALL HAD A LOT TO RIDE FOR.  
  
THE POLESWORTH TRACK WAS IN GOOD SHAPE, AFTER THE HARD RACING THE TRACK HAS HAD THROUGH THE WINTER THE POLESWORTH CLUB MADE A GOOD JOB AND THE TRACK WAS IN MINT CONDITION.
  
PRACTICE: I FELT REALLY GOOD IN PRACTICE, THE NEW STEP DOWN WAS CAUSING SOME PEOPLE PROBLEMS BUT I JUST GOT INTO THE RIGHT RYTHEM AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND JUST STAYED LOOSE READY FOR THE RACING AHEAD.
  
RACE ONE: THE TIME HAD COME WE WAS ALL REVED UP AND REARING TO GO. THE GATE DROPPED AND WE WERE OFF BUT NOT TO THE START THAT I HAD WISHED FOR AND WAS DOWN IN MID PACK BUT I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SOME RIDERS MISTAKES IN THE FIRST FEW TURNS TO GET MYSELF IN THE TOP 10. 
  
I PUSHED HARD WITH LEE DURHAM WHO WAS THE FIRST MX2 RIDER AND I GOT INTO A GOOD RYTHEM WITH SOME TOP DOGS BEHIND ME I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A LONG 18 MINS PLUS 1 LAP, BUT I CONTINUED PUSHING HARD BUT AT THE HALFWAY POINT I LOST MY FRONT END ON THE HARD CLAY OVER THE BACK SECTION, I QUICKLY MOUNTED BACK ON THE BIKE BUT BY THIS TIME I HAVE LOST ABOUT FIVE PLACES, SO I CONTINUED ON PASSING DANNY BLAKLEY, JAMES LANE AND A KAWASAKI RIDER TO FINALLY END UP IN 12TH POSITION, AND 3RD MX2 RIDER HOME, SO A GOOD BRAVE PROFORMANCE.

RACE TWO: FROM THE WORD GO! I KNEW I HAD A PROBLEM THE BIKE WASNT PULLING AS HARD AS IT WAS IN RACE ONE, BUT I WAS HERE TO RACE AND I WAS JUST GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN, IT WAS HARD WORK AND A STRUGGLE BUT I CONTINUED TO PUSH THE BIKE TO IT LIMIT AND MANAGED TO GET WITHIN THE TOP 20 IN THE MAIN RACE AND ABOUT THE 5TH OR 6TH IN THE MX2 RIDERS SO I BATTLED HARD BUT I WAS A BIT GUTTED AFTER HAVING SUCH A GOOD OPENING RACE, BUT THERE WAS STILL ONE MORE RACE LEFT.

RACE THREE: THE MARCHANTMX TEAM DECIDED FOR RACE THREE WE WAS GOING TO UNLEASE THE NEW 2007 BIKE THAT WE WAS KEEPING FOR THE 2008 AMCA CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS, BUT THERE WAS A BIT OF DRAMA BEFORE THE RACE WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THE MIXTURE JET SCREW HAD VIBRATED OUT OF THE CARB, SO DAD WORKED FRANTICLY TO CHANGE JET SCREW FROM ONE BIKE TO ANOTHER HE MANAGED TO DO IT AND I SHOT ON THE LINE AND WE WERE OFF! I HAD A GOOD FEW TURNS AND FOUND MYSELF BEHIND STEVE TILLASON, I MOVED PASS HIM BY LAP ONE AND JUST HAD A GROUP OF MX1 RIDERS IN FRONT OF ME, SO IT WAS THEN I KNEW I WAS THE FIRST MX2 RIDER SO I PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD BEHIND JAMIE POWELL AND MY FELLOW WOLVERHAMPTON CLUB RIDER TOM FISH, WE PULLED A BIG GAP FROM THE RIDERS BEHIND US AND I KNEW THEN ALL I NEEDED TO DO WAS TO NOT MAKE ANY MISTAKES AND WITH DAVID CAMPBELL COMMING THROUGH THE PACK I JUST KEPT IT ALL TOGETHER AND RUN CONSISTANT LAPS AND HE WASNT GAINING ON ME AND WITH TIME RUNNING OUT I WAS IN CONTROL AND THE CHEQUED FLAG WAS SHOWN AND I WAS BUZZING NOT ONLY HAD I JUST BET THE 2007 MX1 CHAMPION, I HAD JUST FINISHED 7TH AND THE 1ST MX2 RIDER HOME I COULDNT HAVE ASKED FOR ANY BETTER RESULT, THE TEAM WAS SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR!

I ENDED THE DAY IN 13TH POSITION OVERALL AND THE 3RD OVERALL IN THE  MX2 RIDER .  
  
A GOOD DAYS RACING AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL YOU GUYS CALLING ME ON AROUND THE TRACK AND ALSO THANKS TO EVERYONE HELPING ME AND THE TEAM THE SUPPORT IS ALL GRATEFUL.  
  
SEE YOU ALL AT WALSALL CLUB AT HOBBS HOLE AND REPORT WILL BE AVALIBLE EARLY NEXT WEEK.
Wildmoor Practice 01.03.08

With limited meetings and bad weather forecast for Sunday and not wanting to get ripped off by the ACU to ride or watch the  International at Hawkstone, I decided to go to Wildmoor to run in, yes!, run in the new 2007 bike. As some people will know, I have had the bike since half way through the 2007 season but the Marchantmx team decided it was finally time to unleashed the beast.

The track looked really good with its new lay out so I was ready to run in the bike and the new Doctor-D exhaust. I took a steady few laps but it wasn't before long I grew my horns and started to get faster and faster, sorry Dad! But the bike felt great.

I continued through the day and with Tim from foto-x snapping away, (please check out the pics). I had to give him some good stuff for the website. I had a good afternoon riding, roll on next week at Polesworth, so on that note I will see you all next week at the Superclass.

Kinver at Pattingham 24.02.08

The 2008 season finally kicked off at a well prepared Pattingham circuit with Dad working hard to get the bikes ready for the weekend after a recent spate of bike gremlins.

The team was a bit optimistic about the bike but something deep down was telling me not to worry and just get on with it so my confidence was good and with some Championship riders on the start line I knew it was going to be a difficult day. 
  
Practice  I set off around the circuit with Delaney and the track was very smooth and fast but this would change as the day went on. I felt really good and pushed with Delaney all practise and the bike was giving me a good feeling around the track so everything felt good for the action packed day ahead.
  
Race One  I lined up on the start line, set myself up and waited for the 15 second board, my heart was pumping faster and faster I was as ready as i will ever be. Then I exploded off the line and managed to get in the lead quickly with hot competition from Dan Hill and Delaney and some new kids on the block  I knew I had to push hard so I gave it my all and managed to get a good 5-10 second lead on Delaney as he moved into second everyone around the track was going mad cheering and clapping me on so I just kept it together and knew there would be a good chance of the win.

Delaney was pushing hard so I stepped it up to keep the gap and worked hard for and it worked. I wore down Delaney and continued the race with everyone backing me, finally taking the chequered flag.

Everyone was happy for me and I was buzzing. The win put a big smile on my Dad's face after the last week it was just what the marchantmx team needed.

Race Two  After race one I knew that Delaney and Dan Hill would come out guns blazing so another good start was essential but it didn't go quite to plan and with a top five start the heat was on. 
  
I managed to get passed James Shand and had just Delaney in the lead with Jack Cox just in front of me, I felt really good and pushed hard but one left hand corner was troubling me and I lost a lot of time but after about three laps I managed to sort the problem out and posted some fast lap times.

I quickly passed Coxy but now had to make up about a 10 second gap to catch Delaney, so I pushed hard but with rain making the track a little tricky in parts, I could only manage to make the gap down to about 5 seconds. It was too little too late and the chequered flag was shown. I was still happy with my gutsy performance.
  
Race Three  With a 1st and a 2nd position only a win would be good enough for the overall. I knew on the line it was judgement time and I only had one thing on my mind and that was to finish how I started, with a win!
  
I shot off the start line and picked up the hole-shot, everyone was going mad again and I now knew that the hard work was half done and now it was time to finish it. I raced hard around the now very rough Pattingham circuit and took time to pick out the best lines to try and save wearing me out and managed to pull a good enough lead on Coxy, now under pressure with Dan Hill and Delaney breathing down his neck but I knew if I just kept my pace I had no worries.

Delaney finally managed to get into second but I knew time had run out for him and a steady couple of laps and the race was over. I was over the moon not just for me but for the team I was now one of the few racers to have the first MX2 Expert overall. What a day!

This was just how I wanted to start the 2008 season and the support around the track and paddock was great. I finally showed my true colours.

I would like to take time out to thank all of you that supported me but there is a special thanks to my Dad, Bob. It has been hard work the past few weeks with the bikes and I owe it all to him for keeping me racing!
  
Also I would like to thank the people behind team marchantmx.
  
My ever supporting family, Wayne and family at feehilymx, Micheal Keenan, Mel at MTR for the loan of the exhaust pipe and Tim and Vanessa at Foto-x
     
Thank you again for taking time checking out my website and see you around the track soon.
Wilden MXC at Wilden Lane

Despite snow fall and cold and wet weather forcasted for the week, I decided to continue my pre-season training. We arrived at windy Wilden, and with overcast cloud and strong winds it was going to be a difficult day.  We got off to practise, the track was in good condition but knew it would get rougher through the day, so with the weather a bit unsettled setting the bike up would be difficult over the day.
  
Race one: We decided to leave the set up as it was and continued down to the start line. I didn't get off to a good start, but managed to whined my way past packs of riders by using all of the wilden lane track.
  
Craig Chamberlain also had a bad start and tried to push his way through as well, so i knew i had to get my ass into gear quick. Craig then made a mistake in one of the trick parts in the track, so this relieved pressure off me so i continued pushing through the race finally ending up in 7th position.

Race two: I got off to a better start and managed to be in the top 10, just behind craig again on his cms/rogers rescue honda 450. I pushed hard and tried to get passed him but just couldn't make them stick and with me still a bit rusty and my arms gave up on me and i started to make mistakes that would eventally find myself having a closer inspection of the wilden lane track. I re-started to finally finish in 13th position but left me a bit disappointed and knew i had to come out guns blazing in the last race. 
  
Race three: I got down to the waiting box early to try to get a better position on the start line and it worked, i shot out to get into the top 5, but in a tricky section a 450 got bogged down ,so i made a bit of a do or die decision but unfortunately the 450 rider gripped and we collided, which resulted in me thrown to the grown hard. I picked myself up and re-started the marchantmx ktm to continue with the race in last position. I continued through the race passing everyone that i had in my sight and i got back up to 13th position finishing with a good flowing ride. I finished 7th overall as i was not the only rider to have a up and down day, so another good training day but i still need to sort out a few problems and can look forward to next week.
Wilden MXC at Polesworth

With the great British weather forecast to be sunny but cold, the Marchantmx team decided to take full advantage and race at Polesworth. We arrived to bright sunlight and a almost clear blue sky, but it was cold! ( you cant have everything!).  The Polesworth track had been graded to the tight budget that Tommy Arnold could afford, but with patches of heavy watered areas i knew that it was going to be difficult but probably get better through the day.
  
Practice: We had only got two laps so we needed to use them wisely, but with clutch problems on the bike I just rode around as best as I could. The bike was struggling through the boggy areas and the up hill sections but got around to complete the session.
  
Race One: The Marchantmx team managed to get the bike back to normal and down to the start line. I was put in the mixed adults group A with some good ACU boys in the mix, it was going to be the race to watch.
  
I got off to a great start in 5th position, dived inside of a Kawasaki rider to slot in behind Shayne Carless on his PAR Homes Honda. I pushed hard behind Shayne but on the second lap in a boggy section over the backside of the track I made a mistake and found myself picking up and having to re-start . I got off in pursuit in about 15th position so I was just going to have to push until the end of the race, by the halfway point I was now in 10th position and with a few more riders in sight, gradually worked my way past, them finally finishing in 7th position.
  
Race Two: After some cheating problems at the start the race it was re-started and I managed to get to the first turn in about 7th position. I pushed hard with the pack of riders in front of me, but the track had now become a bit one lined and passing became difficult, with so the track still boggy it made making mistakes very easy.  I rode around steady and consistent and just took advantages of the other rider’s mistakes and rode to a comfortable 5th position.

Race Three: It had come to the last race of the day and I still had everything to race for. The elastic was released and off we all shot to the first turn, with another great start, this time in about 5th position. I had put myself in a good position to end the day on a high.
  
I made a small mistake off the tabletop on the backside of the track and had to re-gain control but lost a position to the Kawasaki rider (sorry don't know your name). I got back, focused and into a good rhythm. With long deep ruts now in the boggy areas, concentration was the key so I battled with the Kawasaki rider all of the race but lapped riders were becoming a problem and I seemed to have to pass them in the harder areas.  Up front Shayne Carless and Josh Spinks had a coming together and to my good fortune, I was able to pass Josh to finally finish in 4th position.
  
Summary: It turned out to be a good day all-round, picking up 6th overall on the day and I was pleased with my riding against a good calibre of riders and my starting was good too. So it is all going good and building good foundations for the start of the 2008 AMCA season.  
  
Thank you for taking the time to check out the progress of the Marchantmx racing team.
Putoline XC Championship at Boreton Farm

After nearly a three months break I was looking forward to being back on the bike. With flood warnings and days of rain I knew that the Condover area would be difficult. 
  
We arrived to see brown men on bikes and tractors pulling vehicles on and off the paddock. The tractor slotted us inline with the rest of the vans, then I went to see how bad it was out on the track. It was a mess but (sadly) I was quite excited to be out there.  
  
I got myself ready for the start, loading up my goggles with as many tear-offs as i could fit on them as I knew I was going to need them.

It was time to line up down the start line, it was going to be a dead engine start! This was a bit worrying as everyone knows it is a bit hit and miss starting a 4T but the flag dropped and the KTM fired up first kick just like I had unleashed a beast, and shot off to tackle the mud filled track ahead. 

I found myself in 2nd position after the mud had cleared, but conditions were hard and very difficult. Unfortunately I had bad arm pump up after the first lap, so I just tried to relax but its hard work to do this when the bike wants to go into a completely different way to what you want to go.

It was inevitable that it wasn’t going to be too long before I was going to put my weight training into practise. After picking the bike up several times I had to make a quick pit stop to change my gloves. 

I got back out there onto the boggy mess, but the short stop had given my arms time to free up a bit, so I managed to get focused and a bit more dialled into the track.

There were lines everywhere and I can say it was probably the hardest stubble field track I have ever ridden. We hit the halfway mark and Dad flagged me in to pit for fuel, change gloves and have a quick drink. 
  
I continued on with the other half of the enduring torture but it became a lot easier with me now meshing quite well with the bike and feeling good and fast.

I pushed hard to the end of the race but conditions stayed the same and more and more riders were beaten by the track. The chequered  flag finally came out to signify the end of the race. 
  
I had a great day of riding, even if the conditions were at their worst, eventually finishing in 10th position in the Experts with posting a good best lap time. It wasn’t too bad for the first time back on the bike. So it was worth all the cleaning up!
Next to Ricky & Craig Chamberlain