Shaun Simpson Back In British Motocross Maxxis Championship For Final Round at Landrake
28/09/2009 14:32:32

Red Bull KTM factory rider Shaun Simpson made a strong MX1 debut at the final round of the 2009 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship held at Landrake in Cornwall. The twenty-one year old MX2 regular took the opportunity to ride the larger capacity machine, with the defence of his domestic title having been wrecked much earlier in the season due to a serious leg injury.

Whislt having only had a very limited time on the MX1 bike prior to the meeting, Simpson looked very much at home on his new orange mount around the fast and undulating Cornish circuit. Shaun actually held pole position for much of the morning qualifying session, before eventually being pushed down to fourth spot in the dying stages as other riders made the most of the drying track, which had been heavily watered the day before the event.

>From his place in the middle of the gate, Simpson made the best possible start as he headed the short up hill sprint into the first sweeping right hand turn. In front of a healthy crowd Shaun made his initial advantage stick as he maintained his lead for seven laps despite coming under pressure from various different challengers. 2008 MX1 British champion Billy MacKenzie finally found a way past on lap eight, and held on to take the first win of the day. Shaun settled into a safe second place, with his mind very much set on a better second moto showing.

However Simpson's plight for a closing race win was over before it even began, as despite slotting into third place after the first few turns he was cruelly taken down by MacKenzie early on the first lap whilst holding the racing line. Left down in eighteenth place, Shaun worked his way back into the top ten despite having to contend with a damaged front brake. Pushing hard Simpson was back on the deck later in the race as the effects of the crash damage became ever more apparent. Again Simpson fought his way through to claim eleventh at the finish and fifth overall.

Speaking after the second race Simpson said. "The first moto went well, I got out of the gate real good and made sure I held my place despite a couple of guys who tried to come round the outside. I felt quite comfortable out in front, and although I heard that someone was behind me earlier on I just did my own thing."

" When Billy came by, I pretty much did the same, I just stayed calm and although I closed on him a couple of times in the end I decided to play it safe and to save something for the second race."

Shaun continued. "My second start wasn't as good, but I managed to work my way up to third by the time we went over the finish line table top. All was looking good going into the right hander, I was in the rut and had the line, but the next thing was that Billy was heading straight for me having cut the corner. His back wheel hit my front and I was down. I don't think it was intentional, but it wasn't really necessary at that stage of the race."

"The first crash damaged the front brake, so it was hard coming back through, and that was what caused the second crash, as I went to brake and there was nothing there. It was a disappointing end to the day, but I suppose I have got to be thankful as when I went down the second time I thought I had broken my collarbone."

"The good news is that despite all that, I have still managed to get a place in the team for MX of Nations. I am really pumped about having the opportunity to represent my country again, and will make sure I give it 110% this weekend." Simpson ended.

Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship – Round 8 – Landrake

MX2 Moto One: 1: MacKenzie 2: Simpson 3: Sword 4: Church 5: Dougan

MX2 Moto Two: 1: Sword 2: Noble 3: MacKenzie 4: Dougan 5: Church

Overall: 1: Sword 45 2: Mackenzie 45 3: Dougan 34 4: Church 34 5: Simpson 33