Sunday 25th March will see the Maxxis British Motocross championship travel to its most southern location, with round two of the series-taking place at the superb Landrake circuit near Plymouth, Devon. This will be the third time the venue has hosted a round of the blue ribbon off road championship, and it is not hard to understand why it has quickly established itself as one of the most popular on the tour with the track offering 100% spectator viewing and some of the most spectacular jumps to be seen anywhere in the UK.
CAS Honda rider Ken De Dycker is a man who will be pleased about returning to Landrake, the Belgian having won both MX1 motos when the series last visited the hillside facility in May 2006. De Dycker holds a slender two-point advantage over Gordon Crockard - PAR Honda, after the Irish ex Grand Prix winner showed some of his old form at the opening round at Canada Heights. The potential three way battle between these two Honda riders and Billy Mackenzie - De Groot Kawasaki, who sits a single point behind Crockard, should be enough to convince any MX fan where to be next Sunday. Then when you throw Brad Anderson - Pioneer Yamaha, Jussi Vehvelainen and James Noble - Multitek Honda into the mix there is simply no excuse not to be trackside when the gate drops in just over a week's time.
Two consistent results at round one sees Gareth Swanpoel - Molson Kawasaki lead the MX2 charge as the quarter litre - four strokes pick up from what was an interesting and slightly unexpected opening encounter. Reigning MX2 champion Carl Nunn - Bike It Yamaha will be hoping that the two week break will have given his back injury time to mend, so he can resume his battle proper. Tommy Searle's - KTM UK speed in the second moto at Canada Heights must be of concern to his rivals, but with one race win already under his belt Shaun Simpson - Wulfsport Kawasaki is sure to want to reinforce his challenger as the action shifts to Devon. The American pairing of Mike Brown - CAS Honda and Sean Hamblin - Swift Suzuki will also be looking to do their bit for the USA, so all in all the fight for MX2 supremacy looks as fierce as ever.
Landrake has the honour of hosting the first of the MXY2 support races that will be present at four of the eight rounds this year. This exciting addition to the race programme will not only give the country's best youngsters the chance to rub shoulders with their heroes, but will also allow the public and the industry alike to preview the UK's current crop of emerging talent. With sixteen-year-old Tommy Searle having made such an impact on the adult ranks, who would dare doubt the importance of this great opportunity.
Youth qualifying begins at 9.00am sharp, with the MX2 class out on track for their timed session at 9.35am. From there on in the action is thick and fast, with the first youth race at 12.15pm followed by the first MX2 moto at 12.50pm and then the initial MX1 clash at 1.40pm. Race fans will get the chance to meet the top three riders in both championship classes at 11.40am, as race day compere Roger Warren interviews the leading lights about their pending battles.
Landrake is situated only five hundred metres from the A38 dual carriageway, just after the famous Tamar Bridge. Admission prices are £20 for adults, £10 for children / OAPs, with accompanied children under fourteen years old FREE. Special offers are available through the club's own website which is linked to the www.mxgb.co.uk site.