Steven Clarke battled hard throughout round four of the Maxxis British motocross championship, held at the new Mllton Park track near Northampton at the weekend, as the Maxxis Apico Suzuki rider tried to overcome mechanical issues and claim some important championship points.
With the championship visiting the track for the first time, it was well-watered following the recent dry weather; however this made for tricky qualifying leaving Clarke in 19th position. The day did not improve for the team, which recorded two DNFs after technical problems in the opening two motos.
In race three Clarke put the first two motos behind him and slotted into a top five position after a clear run on the first corner. Showing fast and consistent riding Clarke, managed to take the Suzuki RM-Z250 machine across the line in fifth place.
Steven Clarke: "Wow, what a tough day for us all. After the wet qualifying the track became fast and flowing, I was able to get great starts on all of my races, taking a third at the beginning of moto two, until we had some problems with the bike. I am pleased I was able to show in moto three how confident I feel with the bike, and that I was able to claw back some points to try and keep my championship hopes alive."
Team manager, Rob Hooper, "With Steven getting some great starts and running well up the order, it is very frustrating for us all, to not get the points deserved. Once out there and battling, there is no doubt he can run with the top guys. We move on to the hilly Landrake circuit this coming weekend, and look towards getting to some good results here."
2011 Team Partners Include: Maxxis, Apico, Suzuki GB, Akrapovic, Doodson, Langcourt, MX Zone, Rip'n'Roll, The Heritage Company, Motorex, Venhill. DID, Burfield Creative, Alpinestars, C'n'C Doors, Pro Clean, Polisport, Factory Connection, Twin Air, Samco, Answer, Pro Taper, Pro Carbon, Generate, Donjoy, Petersen Racing, Spiral Graphics, Massiveracing.com, Raptor Titanium, Radtec, Revo Technik
Results
MX2 Race 1: 1st Zach Osborne, 2nd Arnaud Tonus, 3rd Elliott Banks Browne, 4th Bryan MacKenzie, 5th Mel Pocock, 6th Neville Bradshaw, 7th Ray Rowson, 8th Alan Keet, 9th Matt Bayliss, 10th Scott Elderfield
MX2 Race 2: 1st Zach Osborne, 2nd Arnaud Tonus, 3rd Mel Pocock, 4th Neville Bradshaw, 5th Elliott Banks Browne, 6th Scott Elderfield, 7th Stuart Edmonds, 8th Alan Keet, 9th Anthony Reville, 10th Sunny Thompson
MX2 Race 3: 1st Arnaud Tonus, 2nd Zach Osborne, 3rd Elliott Banks Browne, 4th Mel Pocock, 5th STEVEN CLARKE (SUZUKI), 6thRay Rowson, 7th Neville Bradshaw, 8th Scott Elderfield, 9th Jordan Booker, 10th Sunny Thompson
MX2 Overalll: 1st Osborne, 2nd Tonus, 3rd Banks Browne, 4th Pocock, 5th Bradshaw, 6th Elderfield, 7th Keet, 8th Edmonds, 9th Rowson, 10th Reville, 16th CLARKE (SUZUKI)
MX2 Championship Standings: 1st Osborne (263), 2nd Tonus (257), 3rd Banks Browne (213), 4th Pocock (178), 5th Rowson (139), 6th MacKenzie (133), 7th Keet (122), 8th Elderfield (118), 9th Karro (109), 10th CLARKE (93)
