Searle set to resume push for British title

ALTHOUGH Tommy Searle has failed to attend the last two rounds of the World Motocross series, the Kawasaki factory star holds a commanding lead in the Maxxis Tyres-backed British Championship, writes Mick Perry.

And he goes into the sixth round of eight at Hawkstone Park, near Whitchurch, in Shropshire, tomorrow with a 55-point lead over Scotland’s Shaun Simpson, who may not be fit to compete due to injuries sustained in the German Grand Prix.

Simpson has a current 20-point advantage over Jake Millward 176-156, with Gert Krestinov (147), Brad Anderson (125) and Mel Pocock (122) next in line.

The battle for the 250cc title is closer, with Kiwi Dylan Walsh leading Sweden’s Alvin Ostlund by six points 193-187.

Bas Vaessen and Joshua Gilbert are next with 169 points each, ahead of Martin Barr (158), Conrad Mewse (122) and Ashton Dickinson (117).

Locally, the South West OffRoad motocross continues at Moreleigh, in Devon, tomorrow with the 11th round at Farleigh Farm.

Fans can expect to see Ben Gibbons in action with Aaron Austin, Leigh Williams, Cameron Packer and Aiden Newitt in the experts’ races, while Carl Fuchs, Kona Jenkins, Joe Phillips, Kurt Pugsley and Richard Tapscott battle for the overall win in the senior group events.

There are 18 races, including events for open class and elite class juniors, and races for inter juniors competing on 85cc machines.

Motocross fans who follow the world series will be displeased to learn there will no British Grand Prix in 2020. However, if any other country backs down, the situation may be reversed.

Organisers, Youthstream have so far not given any reason, but attendances at the Matterly Basin track over the past five years have not met expectations.

There are fewer trial events in July and August and the choice is very limited this weekend.

The Torridge Club are staging a youth championship event at Kilkhampton, near Bude, this afternoon with a class for electric bikes, and they are back at the Hessaford Farm venue tomorrow with a charity event in aid of Cancer Research. Three Counties Club have a meeting at Thornacombe, near Chard, tomorrow and there is a West of England Club Championship event next Wednesday near Newton Abbot.

Weekend Fixtures – Today: Torridge MCC Youth Championship Trial, Hessaford Farm, Kilkhampton, near Bude (3pm).

Tomorrow: Torridge MCC Charity Trial, Hessaford Farm, Kilkhampton, near Bude (11am); Maxxis Tyresbacked British Motocross Championship (round 6), Hawkstone Park, near Whitchurch, Salop (10.45am); Three Counties MCC Trial, Thornacombe, near Chard, Somerset (10.30am); South West Devon MCC South West Off-Road Motocross (championship round 11), Farleigh Farm, Moreleigh, Devon (10.30am).

Wednesday: West of England MCC Trial, Shaptor Rock Farm, Hennock, near Newton Abbot (6pm).