British Two-Stroke Champions Crowned
It’s been five amazing months, ten superb rounds and thousands of miles travel but this weekend the DEP British two-stroke championship reached its climax.
Culham Moto Parc was the venue for rounds nine and ten of the championship, run on concurrent days, to finally end one of the best race championships around.
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We were blessed with great weather over the two days of racing and add to that motocross stars of the past such as Brian Jorgensen and stars of the future in Steven Clarke showing up to show what they can do - you just knew the racing was going to be white hot.
MC Events laid on a lavish hospitality marquee for the evening entertainment and big Jon Pearson and Danny Veale put on a FMX show for the large crowd in attendance over both days.
We caught up with all the champions after the awards ceremony on Sunday evening and they had this to say.
Mark Eastwood 2007 250 British Two-Stroke Champion
“It’s been an unbelievable season for me, I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. I haven’t had a season which has been as good as this one, including the Maxxis British championship; everything’s gone well with no problems, no DNF’s and no problems with the bike. I’ve had lots of moto wins this year and it’s been brilliant, there’s been really good racing as well with Ryan Voase, Dave Willet and Stuart Flockhart keeping me honest every week. My body feels tired at the moment so not sure on next year really, maybe after a couple of months off the bike I’ll get bored and I’ll be back again?
All the riders in the 250 class have been great and a special thank you to those guys for turning up at every round. The organisers have been really cool this year as it’s been relaxed and enjoyable series. Out of the ten rounds we’ve had eight which have been first class, Canada Heights the very first round was the best I’ve ever ridden it and I’ve ridden it all my life so they deserve a big hand for that, the tracks which weren’t perfect were places where they couldn’t do what they wanted to do and you can’t blame the organisers as they have been fantastic”.
Dave Willet 2007 125 British Two-Stroke Champion
“It was a real good series and really enjoyed it, I’m glad to finish where I did with the amount of training, maintenance and hard work I put into it makes it all worth while.
I’m looking forward to it next year; I’m not sure if I’m going to race both classes again and may only race in the 125’s but things could change.
The series has been different and just awesome, I’d like to thank MC Events and all the team as they’ve been great all year and all my sponsors for supporting throughout the championship.
One person I would like to thank is Chris Fitch for awarding me the Richard Fitch Memorial trophy, I’m really grateful for receiving the trophy, I’m honoured”.
Eddy Carr 2007 250 Junior British Two-Stroke Champion
“I started the season well and have been consistent all year, I haven’t actually one a round but consistency is the key for championships. Ricky Lethaby and Alex Smith have been brilliant competitors all year, both have been just as consistent as me. I really enjoyed riding the 250 Suzuki as I stepped up from the 125 from last year.
It’s been a brilliant year; I’m going to train all through the winter as I’m hopefully in the expert class for 2008 and let’s see what I can do with the big boys. I’d like to thank all my sponsors for their support throughout the year – thanks everyone”.
Adam Reynolds 125 British Junior Two-Stroke Champion
“The DEP was my first major championship and I’m pleased that I’ve won it, there’s been good competition all year and it’s a good idea that the top junior’s race with the experts as it pulls you along and improves your riding. I’ve been out for a while due to injury before this championship so it’s nice to have a full season under my belt and win the two-stroke British Championship. I was told on Sunday that I’m going to be racing in the expert class next year which I’m pumped with and it’s what I wanted as well.
If it wasn’t for George Winn and Alex Finnegan who lent me a bike on Saturday as mine broke down I may not have won the championship, so thanks to them and all my sponsors for this year”.
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As of going to press Michael Hubbard suffered a back injury on Sunday and everyone associated with the series wishes him a speedy recovery.
As for the racing over the two days, well as we mentioned at the beginning it was awesome, with Steven Clarke taking the overall win on the Saturday in the 125 expert class, Jonathan Pettitt took second and also managed to finish third in the championship even after missing two rounds and iron man Willet romped home in third.
In the 125 junior class Warren Field took the honours from Lewis Kerr and Paul Shires who rode well all year to finish in second overall in the championship.
Willet topped the 250cc expert group from 2007 champion Mark Eastwood and Steven Clarke third.
Matthew Moffat riding the brand new KTM 144 took the win in the 250cc juniors from Ricky Lethaby who was runner up in this year’s championship and Tye Barrs took third.
The Sunday saw pretty much the same as Saturday but with veteran 125 ace Brian Jorgensen taking the win from Pettitt and Clarke in the expert 125’s.
Paul Shires reversed his Saturday result with an overall victory from Lewis Kerr and Steve Birkenshaw in the 125 juniors.
Eastwood took a maximum in the 250 expert class from hard charging Neville Bradshaw and Mr consistent Andre David.
And the final race of the year saw Matt Moffat storm to another fine win on his 144 KTM with Nathan Rooks taking second just ahead of Lethaby in third.
Congratulations must go to the championship runners up in each class and they were:
In the 125 Experts you had TM’s Stuart Edmonds in second and Jonathan Pettitt in third.
In the 125 juniors who rocked all year Paul Shires took second and Sean “Chunk” Stevens in third.
The 250 juniors were another group which raced close for the entire season with runner up Ricky Lethaby and third placed man Alex Smith chasing champion Carr in every race.
Willett also took second in the 250 expert championship and Ryan Voase took third but didn’t race at Culham due to a wrist injury.
WELL DONE TO ALL!
More information and full championship results can be found at www.2strokebritishchampionship.co.uk