2009 Results.........
14th October 2009
The 2009 season for me is now over as on Friday I was told that my injuries sustained at the last round of the AMCA Championship were worse than first check up and I am now recovering from a fractured right shoulder blade, fracture bone in left hand and have dislocated my right collarbone. I have decided to not ride now till 2010 to make sure I can make a full recovery ready for the new MX season. Thank you to all of the hints and support through the season and also I have a lot of people to thank who have sponsored me and the MarchantMx team in 2009. FOTO-X for all the work carried out on the website. FEEHILY MX for his continuous sponsorship and support through the years. ROGERS RESCUE for all their support through the season. FIND UR STUFF for keeping me on the track. FOX (EUROPE) for all the race kit through the season. ROCK OIL for supplying me with oils required through the season. J4M54 PRACTISE TRACK for the use of the circuit when required. FRO SYSTEM for supplying the stands and essentials. TELFORD MOTOR (PEUGEOT) for their support through the season. AUTOSMART for the use of their products. SPIRAL GFX for all their work on the graphics. My Family and friends for all their support and also to Vanessa Palmer and Mike Wood for all their pictures through the season, and finally my good friend Si Butler for his support through the Championships. The 2010 season will be all different as I am moving up into the MX1 AMCA Championship and also I am considering on doing all the British Masters rounds. |
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The MarchantMx team will included a very talented 11 year old schoolboy rider Jordan Pyne who will be covering all of the Schoolboy and some selected AMCA events through the 2010 season. 2010 will include new visions and goals which hopefully will lead us to success for the team and our sponsors. |
4th October 2009
It was the last AMCA Championship of the year and also the last time on the Marchantmx KTM 250f. We were joined this weekend by Rich Tudor, so everything was set up for a good one, and with a lot of attention on the MX1 boys, with only a handful of points separating the top 4 riders, a lot was at stake.
Qualifying
The track had undergone some more changes for this event but I have to say it wasn't watered enough and the dust was already filling our field of vision. I managed to get an ok time in lap one which I couldn't improve through the session, giving me 23rd fastest but knowing with a few changes to the bike, I could improve for the racing.
Race One
With the changes made to the Marchantmx Ktm I lined up with the rest of the MX2 riders. I got a good drive into the first turn but as usual there was a lot of bumping around the next few turns and I was just inside of the top 20. I pushed with the riders in front of me but I lost my footing on a fast jump and slightly twisted my ankle but not willing to give up, I continued on but had dropped back in 21st position but by the end of the race I had recovered from my ankle injury but was still in the same disappointed position.
Race Two
Again I got a good jump out of the gate and was again inside the top 20 but then with the dust very heavy in the bermed corners, I rode into a nasty bump blind which caused me to loose the back end shooting me over the bars, head first into the face of the uphill. I rolled off the track and sat there with a numb shoulder and thumb thinking it's all over for 2009! I eventually walked back to the race van with me supporting my arm deeply disappointed.
That was the end of my day's racing, and a trip to the hospital confirmed very heavy muscle damage to my right shoulder and a badly bruised thumb, a very disappointing end to the 2009 Championship season.
A big THANK YOU has to go to all the Sponsors, supporters and my Family through the Championship season, and with a good showing on my Marchantmx Honda 450 the last couple of weeks, I just hope that I can make the 2010 Championship season more successful.
Qualifying
The track had undergone some more changes for this event but I have to say it wasn't watered enough and the dust was already filling our field of vision. I managed to get an ok time in lap one which I couldn't improve through the session, giving me 23rd fastest but knowing with a few changes to the bike, I could improve for the racing.
Race One
With the changes made to the Marchantmx Ktm I lined up with the rest of the MX2 riders. I got a good drive into the first turn but as usual there was a lot of bumping around the next few turns and I was just inside of the top 20. I pushed with the riders in front of me but I lost my footing on a fast jump and slightly twisted my ankle but not willing to give up, I continued on but had dropped back in 21st position but by the end of the race I had recovered from my ankle injury but was still in the same disappointed position.
Race Two
Again I got a good jump out of the gate and was again inside the top 20 but then with the dust very heavy in the bermed corners, I rode into a nasty bump blind which caused me to loose the back end shooting me over the bars, head first into the face of the uphill. I rolled off the track and sat there with a numb shoulder and thumb thinking it's all over for 2009! I eventually walked back to the race van with me supporting my arm deeply disappointed.
That was the end of my day's racing, and a trip to the hospital confirmed very heavy muscle damage to my right shoulder and a badly bruised thumb, a very disappointing end to the 2009 Championship season.
A big THANK YOU has to go to all the Sponsors, supporters and my Family through the Championship season, and with a good showing on my Marchantmx Honda 450 the last couple of weeks, I just hope that I can make the 2010 Championship season more successful.
27th September 2009
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I have something to get off my chest this week, as for a couple weeks I have been public enemy number one by a couple of clubs, due to my opinions about their meetings. To the people that are involved, then all I have to say is that this is my Website and I can state my opinions about anything I want, and this website is for the people generally interested in me and the team, not for checking up on what I have said about the track and the meetings that they have just hosted. Now with that out of the way, this is the race report at Stenson hosted by the Burton MXC. I arrived at the Stenson circuit and the first thing that I saw was the changes made to the circuit. The straight. in full view of the paddock, had six mounds of earth placed on to it so it was going to be good viewing through the day for the spectators. I set up next to Rich Tudor and Jason 'Reggie' Brandrick and got ready for the racing. Practice I struggled through the practice session trying to get to grips with the circuit with the ground and the section of bumps. So I finished the session with mixed feeling of the circuit, but hopefully the track would develop through the day. Race One I got off to a flying start but regrettably, no one elses gate dropped as quick, so the red flag was shown and as usual on the re-start I didn't get a very good start and was stuck behind Jack Bas and Rob Fox. I pushed hard and passed Jack Bas but I made a big mistake going over the berm but I managed to stay upright, so I re-entered the circuit and pushed on back after Bas and Fox. I managed to do the rhythm section to make up some ground on them but then I made a mistake again by stalling the MarchantMx Honda in the left hand turn. I quickly started the bike and pushed on and by the end of the race I had passed Bas to move into 4th position. Race Two I got off to another bad start but managed to get into 3rd position after a few laps but Hollis and Cannings were gone so I pushed as hard as I could but I wasn't able to stop the MarchantMx Honda due to the tyres now being very worn and I went down in a right hand turn. I re-mounted but I had lost a position to Rob Fox. I tried all through the rest of the race but the bike wasn't gripping in the turns so I settled down and finished in 4th position again. |
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Race Three We sorted the MarchantMx Honda for the start of the race. I got off to a better start and moved past Reggie through the rhythm session and pushed on after Hollis and Cannings but the I saw Cannings pushing his machine and I was now in 2nd position. I then again made my day a little harder and stalled the MarchantMx Honda in a right hand bend, it only took a few kicks before it fired back into action but by then both Reggie and Fox had slotted back in front of me. I again made passes on them both to take 2nd position. I finished 3rd overall after Cannings misfortune but again I made today hard work by making small mistakes which cost me but I am back on the Ktm for the last time at the last AMCA Championship at Norley. A big thank you to Vanessa Palmer for the pictures and also everyone supporting the MarchantMx team. |
20th September 2009
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It was MX1 time this weekend as the Marchantmx team arrived at Abbots Bromley hosted by Cannock MXC. I was looking forward to racing being back on the MarchantMx 450 Honda, the track had some new sand and waves included into the circuit and also with the heavy watering the track wasn't going to have a dust problem. Practice The Experts were the first practice session of the day so it was a muddy one, but knowing how the circuit develops, it made a good selection of lines around the course. I finished the practice session happy with the track and ready for the day's racing. Race One I didn't get off to the best of starts and was buried in the MX1 pack, but I set to work and pushed hard to get past the riders in front of me but I went into a left hand corner a little too fast and lost the front end and went down. I quickly remounted the MarchantMx Honda and continued on, I passed the riders again and closed in on the Bennett brothers who where in 3rd and 4th position but it was now at the later stages of the race and I had just ran out of time, ending the race in 5th position. Race Two I managed to get a worse start then the first race and was starting to make my day hard work for myself but again I plugged away to move up through the positions again. I finally closed in on the Bennett brother's, I managed to make a pass on Addy but with only one lap to catch and pass Darren, I got close but couldn't quite get the job done and had to settle for 4th position at the end of the race. Race Three I managed to sort everything out and got off to a flying start and slotted into 4th behind Darren Bennett. I made a pass on him going into a left hand turn on the far corner of the circuit but again this wasn't to be and lost the front end of the MarchantMx Honda biting the dust again. I picked up the bike quickly and nearly knocked Jason (Reggie) Brandrick off his bike which caused a bit of mayhem in the turn but I got back on and charged on. By mid way point I had moved into 5th position again behind Addy and Darren Bennett but a little luck saw Addy drop it in the same corner as I had and I slipped on through into 4th position. There was a big 10 second gap between me and Darren so I pushed on to close in on him but again time stopped play and finished in 4th position again. I finished 4th position overall but I feel I made my day a lot harder than it should have been but I guess sometimes you have to deal with the situations thrown at you but I showed good pace and there is always next week, so I will see you all at Stenson. Also a big thanks to Vanessa Palmer for the pictures. Thank you to the sponsors and supporters of MarchantMx. |
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13th September 2009, Pic by Mike Wood
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6th September 2009
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The Marchantmx team arrived at the Poleworth circuit, after setting up the van area I went to sign on and take a look at the track. My first thoughts were where was the watering?
A track that is an all weather circuit, I was expecting the circuit to be soaked but instead very little watering was done. Also the rocks around the track were also going to make some people regret riding there! But the show must go on and the conditions were the same for everyone so I made my way back to the van. Practice The track was as bad as what I thought, the stones were like riding on marbles and the water on the circuit was already starting to dry, so dust was starting to fly in areas. Knowing the circuit is stoney, I can't really moan too much, but I left the track a little disappointed on the efforts of the club after the session. |
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Race Two I had a shocking start and after the first few laps, I had moved into 4th position behind Halls. I could see Cannings starting to pull away, so I made a pass on Halls around the banked right hand corner then showed Del Busso the 450 power down the hill and off the step up, to move into second. I tried hard to close down Cannings but again with the race time so short I had to settle for 2nd position again. Race Three With another stinker of a start, I was making the day hard work for myself but after dodging Reed and Wright's bikes, as they decided to have a lie down in the most difficult of places, I managed to avoid the carnage and slipped into 2nd position again! I kept Cannings in sight but I made a mistake of my own and hit the deck. I quickly re-mounted but I had no skin left on my elbow and I felt every bump around the circuit, but I pushed on to take 2nd position behind Cannings. I finally finished 2nd Overall which was a good result. I showed good pace through the day so I will keep plugging away every week to reach my full potential on the MarchantMx Honda 450 machine. |
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The Polesworth MX club ran the meeting below par and decisions made were not the right ones, a disappointing meeting for everyone!
A big Thank you to everyone behind me and the team, for all their support and commitment. |
30th August 2009
SUNDAY It was going to be an action packed Bank holiday weekend as the MarchantMx team arrived at the Condover circuit for the 6th Round of the MX2 AMCA Championship. The track look well prepared and watered well, but with the sky full of clouds, it was going to be a gamble to how the club managed the circuit to keep dust at bay. Qualifying I felt good riding around the circuit and the bike was giving me a good feel, as it had some TLC in the week. I made a big mistake as I missed the timing board on the first lap and I think this was a crucial point as the track got rougher and I got a fast lap in but I could only manage a big disappointing 31st fastest, but I kept my chin up and had to wait to see how the day went. Race One With a bad qualifying position my gate pick was in the worst gates but I used my head and got a mid pack start. I pushed hard in the first few turns to move up positions but I had picked up a puncture in the front tyre. I was so disappointed but continued the race to see if I could pick up valuable points but the bike was becoming un-rideable and me and Dan Hill had a rub in the sand section and I couldn't stop quick enough and ended up in the ropes. I dug myself out and got going again and finished in 28th position. Race Two The puncture fixed, I knew I had to make the next two races count. I got off to a mid pack start again but through the race I lost places and gained places as it was a bit of a scraggy race with some good laps but I was trying very hard to move past Aled Bellis but I couldn't quite do it and ended the race in 18th position. Race Three It was down to the last race and I was looking to end the day on a good note and it all started great and I got a top 15 start. I made a lot of places in the first few corners to put myself in a respectable top 10 position behind Kristofer Ayres and I pushed hard to make a pass but I also had to protect my lines as Jack Taylor was breathing down my neck. He made a pass on me and also Ayres moving me into 11th position and now at the halfway point I stepped it up a gear and put a pass on Ayres but he decided to T bone me into the ropes through to the bushes, but luckily I kept my head down as I shot into them. Once I finally got my breath back, but in pain, I remounted and rode the Marchantmx KTM back to the paddock very disappointed. I finished the day a very disappointing 31st position, but I think I was lucky to walk away from the crash in the last race by a reckless and dangerous rider Ayres. I will make it my duty to get my revenge on him but I will keep it on the track. With just two more rounds, I will have to pull off some good results if I am to move up the standings but I will try my hardest to get there. |
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Wolves at Hungry Hill 31st August 2009 |
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Race Three It was going to take a bit of luck for me to take the overall but I was just going to do what I needed to do and that was to win. Reggie grabbed the holeshot and I was hot on his tail. I made the pass and gapped them all again so I just played around throwing up the roost by hitting all the loose berms around the circuit having a blast and finally took the chequered flag. It wasn't to be today as I ended in 2nd overall but had a good days riding. Everyone in the Wolverhampton club can be proud as the club always sets the standard when it comes to running meetings. WELL DONE EVERYONE! Thank you to all the people behind Team MarchantMx and let's hope I can get the monkey off my back and finally get the results I deserve. |
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23rd August 2009
It was Championship time again, and after just over a month break, the Marchantmx team made their way to Nympsfield. Today me, Dad and Becki were joined by Rich Tudor and Jo, who chose to have a week off and come along for a watch.
The track looked good and with some new jumps and sections included into the track, everything looked good for some good racing. I got everything together ready for the start of the qualifying session.
Practice/Qualifying
The track was good and very grippy but the start was going to be a problem as it was tight and also difficult to stop with the added wood chipping, and the track was very fast and tight so the start was going to be the key part of the race. I got a good enough lap in at the start of the qualifying session and with the track getting rougher through the session, I couldn't get a better lap and ended the session in 21st fastest.
Race One
I didn't get the best of jumps off the gate but I used my experienced head and carried my speed into the corner and kept it upright. I was in 8th position but I started struggling straight away as I tensed up and lost many places through the first part of the race. I had dropped down into 16th position by the time I had relaxed and pulled it together but on the last part of the race, I started to close back in on Brad Nixon but having Chad Yarranton on my tail, I had to defend my lines and stayed in 16th position till the end of the race.
Race Two
It was a very bumpy first turn and James Lane went down just in front of me but I managed to dodge the mayhem and was in 15th position on the first lap, but it was like a freight train of riders in front and riders behind me. With some wrong line choices, I found myself dropping back but I had to keep it upright and with mistakes by Halls and Mathia, I moved back in to 15th position and this is where I ended up at the flag.
Race Three
This was the start that I didn't want and was down in the first turn along with Pearce and Dobson but we all managed to keep the machines running and quickly remounted. Unfortunately, the bike was twisted and not having the time to get it straightened, I continued on and managed it through the race and lap after lap I moved up and by the end of the race I had got back into 20th position behind Simon Lane.
I ended the day 17th Overall with some good points to add to the standings, but I wasn't completely happy with myself as I had lost some valuable places through the day but with 3 rounds left, I am going to have to turn it up.
Thank you to everyone involved in the Marchantmx team and also to Rich and Jo for their support through the day.
The track looked good and with some new jumps and sections included into the track, everything looked good for some good racing. I got everything together ready for the start of the qualifying session.
Practice/Qualifying
The track was good and very grippy but the start was going to be a problem as it was tight and also difficult to stop with the added wood chipping, and the track was very fast and tight so the start was going to be the key part of the race. I got a good enough lap in at the start of the qualifying session and with the track getting rougher through the session, I couldn't get a better lap and ended the session in 21st fastest.
Race One
I didn't get the best of jumps off the gate but I used my experienced head and carried my speed into the corner and kept it upright. I was in 8th position but I started struggling straight away as I tensed up and lost many places through the first part of the race. I had dropped down into 16th position by the time I had relaxed and pulled it together but on the last part of the race, I started to close back in on Brad Nixon but having Chad Yarranton on my tail, I had to defend my lines and stayed in 16th position till the end of the race.
Race Two
It was a very bumpy first turn and James Lane went down just in front of me but I managed to dodge the mayhem and was in 15th position on the first lap, but it was like a freight train of riders in front and riders behind me. With some wrong line choices, I found myself dropping back but I had to keep it upright and with mistakes by Halls and Mathia, I moved back in to 15th position and this is where I ended up at the flag.
Race Three
This was the start that I didn't want and was down in the first turn along with Pearce and Dobson but we all managed to keep the machines running and quickly remounted. Unfortunately, the bike was twisted and not having the time to get it straightened, I continued on and managed it through the race and lap after lap I moved up and by the end of the race I had got back into 20th position behind Simon Lane.
I ended the day 17th Overall with some good points to add to the standings, but I wasn't completely happy with myself as I had lost some valuable places through the day but with 3 rounds left, I am going to have to turn it up.
Thank you to everyone involved in the Marchantmx team and also to Rich and Jo for their support through the day.
Hereford at Walterstone
9th August 2009
9th August 2009
This week the Marchantmx team travelled to the Walterstone circuit, due to the Burton MXC having to cancel their meeting at Stenson due to the track and paddock under water.
It was a bit of a rush when we arrived at the Walterstone circuit as practice was just about to start so I would have to go out in the Senior practice session. The pressure was on this week as Becki had joined us, she picked a good weekend to come and show her support as the sun was shining.
Practice
The track was dry and grippy and loose dust berms were starting to develop, causing the dust to fly, which wasn't a good sign as it was only practice but I continued to sort out some lines and got a good feel to the bike ready for the racing.
Race One
I lined up with the rest of the MX2 Experts with the track very fast and now very dusty, so a good start was going to be essential. All the other riders must have had the same idea as it was like bumper cars in the first turn. I was just inside the top 10, so I got my head down and pushed on, lap after lap I moved up places but the vision in the dust was extremely bad. I got into 4th position behind Smith, Lane and Halls, It was hard to find a passing move on Smith and I had to settle for 4th position as the race came to a end.
Race Two
I got off to a super start and hit the front, I pushed hard but I was having problems with my right arm starting to pump up and I made a mistake allowing Lane to slip past me. I continued to try and push Lane's pace but I was now really struggling and now Dan Hill was on my case, he made a pass on me and moved me down into 3rd position. I tried to keep it altogether and with Halls closing in, I knew I had to keep it tidy to the end. I ended the race in 3rd position behind Hill and Lane. I was a little disappointed as I knew I should have been faster but with a pumped up arm I just had to do the best I could.
The day was cut short due to the dust problems and was cancelled, It was ironic one meeting cancelled due to the track being water logged and the other cancelled due to the dust in the same week. I ended the day joint 3rd position with Dan Hill so it was a good result in the end and we will have to see what happens next week at Sandbach hosted by the Acorns club.
Thank you to everyone behind the Marchantmx Team through the 2009 season.
It was a bit of a rush when we arrived at the Walterstone circuit as practice was just about to start so I would have to go out in the Senior practice session. The pressure was on this week as Becki had joined us, she picked a good weekend to come and show her support as the sun was shining.
Practice
The track was dry and grippy and loose dust berms were starting to develop, causing the dust to fly, which wasn't a good sign as it was only practice but I continued to sort out some lines and got a good feel to the bike ready for the racing.
Race One
I lined up with the rest of the MX2 Experts with the track very fast and now very dusty, so a good start was going to be essential. All the other riders must have had the same idea as it was like bumper cars in the first turn. I was just inside the top 10, so I got my head down and pushed on, lap after lap I moved up places but the vision in the dust was extremely bad. I got into 4th position behind Smith, Lane and Halls, It was hard to find a passing move on Smith and I had to settle for 4th position as the race came to a end.
Race Two
I got off to a super start and hit the front, I pushed hard but I was having problems with my right arm starting to pump up and I made a mistake allowing Lane to slip past me. I continued to try and push Lane's pace but I was now really struggling and now Dan Hill was on my case, he made a pass on me and moved me down into 3rd position. I tried to keep it altogether and with Halls closing in, I knew I had to keep it tidy to the end. I ended the race in 3rd position behind Hill and Lane. I was a little disappointed as I knew I should have been faster but with a pumped up arm I just had to do the best I could.
The day was cut short due to the dust problems and was cancelled, It was ironic one meeting cancelled due to the track being water logged and the other cancelled due to the dust in the same week. I ended the day joint 3rd position with Dan Hill so it was a good result in the end and we will have to see what happens next week at Sandbach hosted by the Acorns club.
Thank you to everyone behind the Marchantmx Team through the 2009 season.
2nd August 2009
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It was back to racing in my home group with the Burtwood Barracudas hosting the 5th round of the AMCA MX1 Championship and IMBA MX2 Championship. With heavy rain through the week it was going to be challenging for the club and the waiting for the club to tow vans onto the paddock wasn't a good start to the meeting ahead. I decided today I was going to have a race on Mike Penn's Suzuki 450, he has been keen to get me on the bike since he bought it, so I thought it would be good for him to see it in action. The meeting was delayed due to vans having to be towed in so it was a long wait before my practice session. Practice The track had dried out a lot, but was now left with deep ruts around it. I settled into the workings of the bike and found out the front brake was sharp and lost the front of the Suzuki and bit the dust, I quickly re-mounted and continued on to the end of the session. Race One My decision of a second gear start didn't pay off and I was buried in the pack, but I pushed hard through the race but I was struggling with the gearing on the bike. I tried hard to close down and pass the rider's in front of me but by the end I had got into 8th position which wasn't too bad but knew I had a lot more to get out of the bike. |
Race Two |
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26th July 2009
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It was raining all the way to the Anchor Hill Circuit in Kerry but instead of turning around, which would have been for the best, I decided to have a look at the circuit's condition before making my mind up. After the practice session, the track wasn't looking too bad, so I decided to race. We got everything together and I lined up with the rest of the MX2 Expert riders. I got a rubbish start and the rain was starting to fall again, so I took a few laps to get into a groove and started to pick my way past riders and moved my way up into 4th position. The track was starting to deteriorate due to the continuous rain, so I settled into a steady pace and kept it on two wheels till the end of the race. I finally finished in 4th position behind Paul Conway, Dale Halls and Ryan Jones. I decided to call it a day as the rain wasn't backing down, so we made the long journey back home. Thank you to all of the people supporting the Marchantmx team. REMEMBER, I have a Marchantmx and MTR training day at J4M54 on Thursday 30th July, only small groups of 5 so if you are interested hit the email link at the top of the page. |
19th July 2009
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I arrived at the Cleobury circuit hosted by the Worfield MXC. It has been a few years since I'd last been here, so it was going to be good to race on the circuit again. I took a good look at the track when I trekked up to sign on, it had changed slightly and it was going to be hard riding against the people who were riding there on Saturday, but I would have to see. Practice I have got to say it was a bit one lined but with the track a little tacky due to the over night rain it would hopefully lead to some mistakes by the other MX2 riders. Race One The start was a JOKE! I don't think the 15 second guy knew what he was doing but the gate dropped eventually and the front few didn't know that they had to go around the tree at the top and caused havoc. I got bumped a few times but managed to keep it on two wheels. I was pushed to move up the order but it was hard to pass and the front few had pulled a gap, so I continued on but had to settle for 5th position behind Weaver, Jones, Pearce and Dobson. |
Race Two The rain had started to fall before the race started and the track conditions were now quite slippery so a good start was required. Me and Dobson jumped out of the start together but he managed to get a bit better drive and I eventually came out in the top 6. I quickly moved into 5th position, but the track was getting worse lap after lap as the rain continued. I settled into a safe pace to try and keep it upright. I moved into 4th position as Pearce made a mistake but on the last lap I got a brick in the eye off a lapped rider causing me to have to slow up and Wright took advantage and slipped on the inside of me dropping me to 5th position again. I tried to recover and got back on Wright's case but couldn't make a pass back and had to settle for 5th position again. The racing was cancelled after the end of the second block due to the weather and track conditions so I finished 5th overall on the day. I was a bit disappointed but I will try again next week at Kerry and hopefully get the results I know I am capable of. Thank you to everyone behind the Marchantmx team. |
12th July 2009
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I arrived at the Caereinion circuit hosted by the Wrekin Motocross Club and was welcomed to the event by heavy rain. I had decided to stop the night being I was on my todd, so I set up camp by Rich Tudor. I eventually woke up to sunshine, I had a quick look at the circuit, it looked really good even after all the heavy rain. I sorted myself out and got ready for the practice session. Practice The practice session was cut short for me after only one lap as the bike gremlins had struck. It soon became apparent that I would not be able to continue to race due to the bike's status. Race One The day was not over as I had a choice of Rich Tudor's 250 2 smoker or Nath or Ryan Palmer 505's, after a long thought I chose to race on Nath's KTM 505. I was dropped in the deep end as I just jumped on and lined up. I got a good start as expected and moved quickly into 2nd position behind Dobson but after a few laps I started to get very tight so I let Halls and Weaver past me. Halls made a mistake moving me back into 3rd position behind Weaver and Dobson, so I just kept a steady pace and took the third spot. |
Race Two The track was looking very choppy, so with the suspension set up for Nath, I knew I was going to have a hard ride but I was just happy to be riding. I came down to the second turn in 1st position but, as I thought, I was being thrown around the circuit all through the race. At at the halfway point, I was having grip problems and thought I had a puncture but I didn't. I tried to continue but my arms were now like Popeye's, so I cruised to the end of the race. Race Three I got another good start but I opted to just have a steady ride as the track was now very rough so I stopped behind Chris Hill and had a nice comfortable ride to finish off the day. The Wrekin Club put on a good meeting, and even with a few red flags they ended the day in good time. A big Thank you to the Palmer family and to Rich Tudor for the offering of their bikes, I enjoyed the day riding the KTM 505 but I know my body will be scrap Monday morning. Thank you to everyone supporting the Marchantmx Team. |
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5th July 2009
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I made my way to the Long Lane circuit, it is only a 15 minute drive from my house so it was good to have a lie in. I got to the track and took a good look with Fat Tony, Titch and Budha my dogs. The track was as you would have expected, well graded and watered as it is a sandy circuit so everything had been put in place by the Newport club for a good day's racing.
Practice
I got a really good feel around the circuit over a few laps and I felt that with some good starts I could get some top three results.
Race One
I got tangled up going down the start straight, I managed to keep it up right but I was well down in the back of the pack. I pushed hard to pass as many riders as I could and managed to pass Jamie Dobson and move into 11th position. I worked hard over the next few laps as the circuit doesn't provide you with many passing places but I made the passes stick and moved up the order. I managed to finally finish in 5th position but closed a big gap between me and the other four riders, so I was happy with my performance.
Race Two
I managed to get a better start in the top 10, I made a few passes to move in to fifth position behind Del Busso, then over the back section, when the dust settled, I was faced with Jamie Dobson's bike straight in front of me after him having problems. I smashed into him and his bike, I was sent all over the front end of my bike leaving having to steer using the front mudguard so I quickly grabbed the handlebars. I had a squeaky voice but I managed to stay on to the bike somehow.
I managed to keep Pearce and Cannings behind me for a few laps but with my family jewels still in my stomach, I struggled through the race to eventually finish in fifth position.
Race Three
I got another bad start outside the top 10 but I worked hard to pass the riders in front of me and had moved into fourth position but Pearce, Halls and Jones had pulled a gap on me but I tried to pull them in, but with the track now very rough, I decided to settle for 4th position.
I finished the day in 4th overall, I was happy with my riding and with some better starts I feel I could have got into the top three.
Thanks to everyone behind me and the Marchantmx team for all their support through the 2009 season.
Practice
I got a really good feel around the circuit over a few laps and I felt that with some good starts I could get some top three results.
Race One
I got tangled up going down the start straight, I managed to keep it up right but I was well down in the back of the pack. I pushed hard to pass as many riders as I could and managed to pass Jamie Dobson and move into 11th position. I worked hard over the next few laps as the circuit doesn't provide you with many passing places but I made the passes stick and moved up the order. I managed to finally finish in 5th position but closed a big gap between me and the other four riders, so I was happy with my performance.
Race Two
I managed to get a better start in the top 10, I made a few passes to move in to fifth position behind Del Busso, then over the back section, when the dust settled, I was faced with Jamie Dobson's bike straight in front of me after him having problems. I smashed into him and his bike, I was sent all over the front end of my bike leaving having to steer using the front mudguard so I quickly grabbed the handlebars. I had a squeaky voice but I managed to stay on to the bike somehow.
I managed to keep Pearce and Cannings behind me for a few laps but with my family jewels still in my stomach, I struggled through the race to eventually finish in fifth position.
Race Three
I got another bad start outside the top 10 but I worked hard to pass the riders in front of me and had moved into fourth position but Pearce, Halls and Jones had pulled a gap on me but I tried to pull them in, but with the track now very rough, I decided to settle for 4th position.
I finished the day in 4th overall, I was happy with my riding and with some better starts I feel I could have got into the top three.
Thanks to everyone behind me and the Marchantmx team for all their support through the 2009 season.
28th June 2009
With no meetings being run in the South Staffordshire group for the next few weeks, it was an opportunity for me to race at other groups circuits. This week we opted to race at Shrewsbury MXC at Condover. The circuit had been watered well on Saturday but unfortunately there was a heavy rain in the evening and overnight causing the track to be very muddy and boggy. Practice The track was very wet, but I was enjoying letting the rear of the bike hang out around the corners speedway style. The weather was looking good for the day so track would dry out through the day. Race One I got a shocking start but by the first lap I had moved into fifth position behind Dan Cole, the track was still very wet and boggy in places so I just kept my head. The track was already getting one lined as it started to dry out, so I just had to wait for mistakes from Cole. I got past him and set my sights on Joe Wright. I closed in on him in the next few laps but the end of the race was upon me and had to settle for fourth. Race Two I had a good jump off the gate but collided into the back of Cole and I was at the back of the pack again, so I pushed hard to pass riders but by the time I had got into sixth position, at the mid-way point of the race, I had a big gap between me and the top five but I continued to push and closed in onto them but I couldn't get past Cole and ended the race in sixth. |
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Race Three I changed my position on the gate for the last race and I got good drive up the start straight but got pushed really wide, so I slotted back in but I was back in the top ten. The track was now one lined and was extremely hard to pass. I pushed Cole all the way through the race but I just couldn't make a pass stick and then on lap 4 he made a mistake on a hard slick corner and I managed to get by him and continued on after Del Busso in fifth. The track again caused me problems when trying to make a pass and again ended the race in sixth position. I ended the day in 4th position overall behind Halls, Pearce and Dobson. It was a tough day but I felt that I wasn't on the same level as the other three, but I will continue to keep my head down and come back out swinging next week at Long Lane. Thank you to everyone involved in the Marchantmx team. |
21st June 2009
I arrived at the hillside circuit in Kerry, It has been a few years since the last time I raced here and I can remember it wasn't a good day. But I wasn't going to let the memories spoil the day and looked forward to the racing.
The track wasn't all that different but the changes that were made looked good. The track was watered but not as much as I would have liked to have seen. So I did the mile hike back to the van to get ready for the qualifying session.
Qualifying
The track was starting to get quite rough in places after a few laps, so I knew that an early fast lap would be required so a quick rest and drink, then off to work. I posted a good lap time 13th fastest so I just kept a watch of the competition, and by the end of the session I dropped to 17th fastest so I was happy with my speed.
Race One
I lined up on the gate next to Shaun Pearce and Lee Dunham. I got a good jump out of the gate but I got a little bit of a tangle with them and had to shut the throttle off but I managed to feed through a lot of riders to come out in the top 15. I pushed to keep a good pace but I was making loads of mistakes and I was loosing places and this started to effect my riding so I tried to get my head back into the race but ended a disappointed 23rd position.
Race Two
I got my head together and lined up next to Neale and Pearce on the gate. I had a great jump off the gate and powered into the corner and came out in 7th position behind Dobson. I rode and pushed hard through the race losing places and gaining places, but the fun was cut short due to Slesser needing medical help and the race was red flagged. I was dropped from 10th back into 11th position as the race was awarded back a lap, this was good for some people but not for me and others.
Race Three
I wanted to end the day on a good note and got another good start and was well in the top 10 but It didn't last long as Dunham dropped it in front of me and I went down after hitting his bike. But I remounted and pushed hard to pass riders and moved into 17th position behind Simon Lane, we battled making several passes on each other until I got a puncture in the front wheel but I still had 8 minutes left till the end of the race, so I had to use my head and managed to finish the race in 19th position, so I was happy that I finished the race and still picked up some good points.
I finished 16th position overall on the day and picked up some valuable points. I have moved up the standings to 24th position and with four championship rounds still remaining, there is still time for me to get to where I know I should be.
The AMCA finally showed some interest in people's complaints of the Big Bore situation but it was a bit late measuring different machines as everyone knew they were going to, but there is a new idea now and that stroking the engines which when the bore is measured it will pass as it isn't the bore that's changed as people that know engine's the CC of a engine is calculated by the measurement of the Bore by the STROKE of the piston, so the Half a job award goes to the AMCA!
The AMCA, half a job way!
Thank you to everyone supporting and helping me and the Marchantmx team on and off the circuit.
The track wasn't all that different but the changes that were made looked good. The track was watered but not as much as I would have liked to have seen. So I did the mile hike back to the van to get ready for the qualifying session.
Qualifying
The track was starting to get quite rough in places after a few laps, so I knew that an early fast lap would be required so a quick rest and drink, then off to work. I posted a good lap time 13th fastest so I just kept a watch of the competition, and by the end of the session I dropped to 17th fastest so I was happy with my speed.
Race One
I lined up on the gate next to Shaun Pearce and Lee Dunham. I got a good jump out of the gate but I got a little bit of a tangle with them and had to shut the throttle off but I managed to feed through a lot of riders to come out in the top 15. I pushed to keep a good pace but I was making loads of mistakes and I was loosing places and this started to effect my riding so I tried to get my head back into the race but ended a disappointed 23rd position.
Race Two
I got my head together and lined up next to Neale and Pearce on the gate. I had a great jump off the gate and powered into the corner and came out in 7th position behind Dobson. I rode and pushed hard through the race losing places and gaining places, but the fun was cut short due to Slesser needing medical help and the race was red flagged. I was dropped from 10th back into 11th position as the race was awarded back a lap, this was good for some people but not for me and others.
Race Three
I wanted to end the day on a good note and got another good start and was well in the top 10 but It didn't last long as Dunham dropped it in front of me and I went down after hitting his bike. But I remounted and pushed hard to pass riders and moved into 17th position behind Simon Lane, we battled making several passes on each other until I got a puncture in the front wheel but I still had 8 minutes left till the end of the race, so I had to use my head and managed to finish the race in 19th position, so I was happy that I finished the race and still picked up some good points.
I finished 16th position overall on the day and picked up some valuable points. I have moved up the standings to 24th position and with four championship rounds still remaining, there is still time for me to get to where I know I should be.
The AMCA finally showed some interest in people's complaints of the Big Bore situation but it was a bit late measuring different machines as everyone knew they were going to, but there is a new idea now and that stroking the engines which when the bore is measured it will pass as it isn't the bore that's changed as people that know engine's the CC of a engine is calculated by the measurement of the Bore by the STROKE of the piston, so the Half a job award goes to the AMCA!
The AMCA, half a job way!
Thank you to everyone supporting and helping me and the Marchantmx team on and off the circuit.
14th June 2009
Hi Guys,
Another disaster due to the weather but there are Clubs and then there is Wolverhampton Club.
It was a change of scenery for this week and I ventured over to the Llan hosted by the Clee Hill Victors MXC. It was back in 2006 when I last rode the track, so It was going to be good to race on a different track with different competitors.
Practice
The track hadn't changed much from the last time I had ridden it, the track was quite dry as the day's forecast was going to be HOT!. It took me a good few laps to get some lines sorted so I just had a steady ride around the circuit.
Race One
I didn't get a very good start as I got too much wheel spin on the long grass, but filed through a few riders and found myself in 4th position but I wasn't riding too good so I backed off to study the other rider's lines over the next few laps. Then I picked it up and started to post some quicker times and made a pass on Colin Walker to move into 5th position. I closed in on Dan Cole but it was too late and I had to settle for 5th position. I wasn't happy with myself and knew I had to get it sorted for the next race.
Race Two
The race was red flagged after a couple of laps due to a incident on one of the down hill jumps, this is when the hosting club decided to postpone the re-start to water the track. On the re-start, I had a good start and was in 5th position, I quickly passed Walker and started to push for the front three Pearce, Dobson and Jones. A mistake from Jones ended him in a big heap, so I started to give chase to Pearce and Dobson but on the fourth lap I felt my right foot rest disconnect from the bike. I tried to continue but it made braking impossible so I went to search for the missing foot rest which I am happy to say I found it.
Another disaster due to the weather but there are Clubs and then there is Wolverhampton Club.
It was a change of scenery for this week and I ventured over to the Llan hosted by the Clee Hill Victors MXC. It was back in 2006 when I last rode the track, so It was going to be good to race on a different track with different competitors.
Practice
The track hadn't changed much from the last time I had ridden it, the track was quite dry as the day's forecast was going to be HOT!. It took me a good few laps to get some lines sorted so I just had a steady ride around the circuit.
Race One
I didn't get a very good start as I got too much wheel spin on the long grass, but filed through a few riders and found myself in 4th position but I wasn't riding too good so I backed off to study the other rider's lines over the next few laps. Then I picked it up and started to post some quicker times and made a pass on Colin Walker to move into 5th position. I closed in on Dan Cole but it was too late and I had to settle for 5th position. I wasn't happy with myself and knew I had to get it sorted for the next race.
Race Two
The race was red flagged after a couple of laps due to a incident on one of the down hill jumps, this is when the hosting club decided to postpone the re-start to water the track. On the re-start, I had a good start and was in 5th position, I quickly passed Walker and started to push for the front three Pearce, Dobson and Jones. A mistake from Jones ended him in a big heap, so I started to give chase to Pearce and Dobson but on the fourth lap I felt my right foot rest disconnect from the bike. I tried to continue but it made braking impossible so I went to search for the missing foot rest which I am happy to say I found it.
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The racing was cancelled after the second block due to the track conditions being too dusty. I think it was a bit of the Clee Hill Victors Club fault for not managing the watering situation well, it was dusty in practice so you can't expect it to get better. It was good to hear people still praising Wolverhampton for all our efforts a few weeks ago, so you would have thought people may learn. Thanks to everyone supporting the Marchantmx team and hope Kerry, next week, is a success. |
7th June 2009
Hi Guys, What a RUBBISH! weekend. Turned up for Stenson but didn't ride. Wonder why! Hope your weekend was good and see you soon.
After heavy rainfall over the last part of the week, it was a shock to hear from people at the Stenson circuit that the track wasn't too bad. So we made our way to the circuit and parked up by Rich Tudor. I went to sign on and take a look at the track. Even after heavy rain on the morning the track was still in a good state.
Just before the practice sessions got started, the heavy rain and thunder bounced off the ground, punishing the track and turned it into one long mess, so I made the decision to not risk wrecking my bike and stayed in the dry.
The Burton MXC decided to put races together to get the meeting over quicker for the riders that wanted to ride, and managed to get two blocks of racing so the club didn't have to refund any money. it was worth the cost of about £40 as we possibly saved £300 not having to replacing the clutch, brake pads, chain and sprockets.
It was a shame about the meeting as I do like racing on the Stenson circuit and the Burton MXC host good meetings, but I think deep down that the club should have thought about the safety and also the damage caused to the bikes and cancelled the meeting as there were only a hand-full of riders in the races but I think that my and other riders decision was the right one.
Hopefully next week at the Llan, we will have a little better weather and I will get some quality bike time.
Many thanks to every one supporting and sponsoring the Marchantmx Team and I will be ready to mix it with the South Shropshire MX2 riders.
After heavy rainfall over the last part of the week, it was a shock to hear from people at the Stenson circuit that the track wasn't too bad. So we made our way to the circuit and parked up by Rich Tudor. I went to sign on and take a look at the track. Even after heavy rain on the morning the track was still in a good state.
Just before the practice sessions got started, the heavy rain and thunder bounced off the ground, punishing the track and turned it into one long mess, so I made the decision to not risk wrecking my bike and stayed in the dry.
The Burton MXC decided to put races together to get the meeting over quicker for the riders that wanted to ride, and managed to get two blocks of racing so the club didn't have to refund any money. it was worth the cost of about £40 as we possibly saved £300 not having to replacing the clutch, brake pads, chain and sprockets.
It was a shame about the meeting as I do like racing on the Stenson circuit and the Burton MXC host good meetings, but I think deep down that the club should have thought about the safety and also the damage caused to the bikes and cancelled the meeting as there were only a hand-full of riders in the races but I think that my and other riders decision was the right one.
Hopefully next week at the Llan, we will have a little better weather and I will get some quality bike time.
Many thanks to every one supporting and sponsoring the Marchantmx Team and I will be ready to mix it with the South Shropshire MX2 riders.
31st May 2009
I arrived at the Abbotts Bromley track which was freshly graded and watered heavily for the days racing ahead. I hadn't raced on the circuit since last year so I was expecting a bit of a difference to the track but it still looked the same, only the whoops had been changed. The day didn't start to good when I discovered I had forgot my goggle bag with all my goggles and tear-offs but Rich Tudor sorted me out and the panic was over. Cheers Rich! Practice The track was very slippery in places, so I just rode around to get a feel of the track but it was hard for me to get into my flow and felt the track wasn't graded as good as it normally had been but I continued on to find the better lines. Race One I got a terrible start and was down in 7th position behind Paul Conway, He made it hard work for me to pass him but I also felt I wasn't quite on the pace that I should have been on. The race was now at the halfway point and I knew I had to sort myself out. I made a pass on Phil Halls and Conway to put me into 5th position. I pushed hard but still felt that things weren't gelling and a mistake by Weaver saw me put into 4th position but with a gap between the rest of the MX2 riders. I couldn't quite close the others in and had to settle for 4th position by the end of the race. On inspection of the bike my Dad found that the exhaust on the bike had split, so he changed a few things on the bike ready for the 2nd race. Race Two I got another bad start and was starting to wonder what I was doing wrong today. I made some passes over next few corners and moved into 4th position behind Wright, Jones and Weaver. I pushed hard to pass Wright but he was riding all the right lines but with just 3 laps until the end I made the pass on Wright and then tried to close the gap between Jones and Weaver but it was too late and again I had to settle for 3rd position. I was getting very frustrated with myself with my riding but knew I had to change it all in the last race. |
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It was the start of the first AMCA Championship at Culham. We arrived at the track and I took a look at it with Dan Hill. It had changed from the last time I had raced here, but even though the track had been watered, it was still very dry under cover. With blue sky and sun however, it was going to be hard to keep the dust at bay.
h the group meeting at Airfield Farm also a practice track, I thought it was better to pay and ride all day than three short races.
