British GP 2008

The 2008 British GP at Mallory Park had been greeted with scepticism in the run up to the event by spectators and riders alike, but despite a few glitches the GP was a success, the racing was great, and the day was memorable for all, but the question remains for British fans… will Mallory be on the GP venues when the calander is released for 2009?

Highs

The crowd – a great atmosphere makes an event and it was the fans that really made Mallory Park the succesful GP that it was, Cairoli says the the british fans are “ crazy about motocross!”

Great racing – the first 2 motos were the best all season with the winner in doubt until the finalcorner the fans were hanging over the fence cheering on their favourite rider.

Comebacks– David Philippaerts rode the race of his life in the first MX1 moto coming back from last and challenging for the win with just over a lap to go when he spun out trying to find a way past leader and championship rival Steve Ramon, Philippaerts put on the kind of charge that will always be remembered just like Dave Thorpe at Farleigh Castle in 1985, Cairoli last season or James Stewart in 2003 at Budds Creek. Tyla Rattray also produced a sterling ride in his 2nd moto coming from last him to 4th place to grab 2nd on the podium behind Cairoli. Also Xavier Boog went from last to 6th place in the same Moto!

The Brits – 3 British riders in the top 5 overall left the home fans bursting with pride, excellent performances from Tommy Searle, Shaun Simpson and Stephen Sword. The battle between Simpson and Searle at the start of the first race was maybe the highlight of the weekend as they pushed leader Rattray to the limit while trying to settle their own score that has rumbled on in recent weeks, a hand shake at the press conference for the photographers hasn’t eased the on track tension between the too after Searles take out of Simpson in Italy. Stephen Sword was 5th overall but rode amazing in 2 come from behind rides and gave a Trey Canard 200% performance pushing Rattray right to the flag in moto 2.

Martin Barr – For Irish fans it was great to see Martin Barr back on a GP starting line, despite limited bike time since Spain due to his broken Collarbone, Martin calmy rode from last to 12th in his qualifier to book his place on the start line for the first time this season in a GP. The motos on Sunday proved tougher when a crash set him back after working his way up to 14th in moto 1, but once he get some more riding under his belt and a stronger shoulder Barr should be knocking on the door of the top 10 come the Irish GP.

Lows

Poor spectator viewing - it had been claimed that 70% of the rack was viewable from any postion unfortunately the oppposite was true if this flaw can be fixed for next season, it will help attract even more people to the GP.

Josh Coppins – Josh had a terrible day losing his 3rd place in the standings to Ken De Dycker, after crashing on the first lap in both motos he could only manage 11th overall and his title chances took a severe dent, after his luck last year many hoped Josh would win the World Championship in 2008 but he has had a tough season so far and has only made the podium once in 6 GPs, but Josh is a fighter don’t count him out.

Steve Ramons 2nd moto – the defending World Champion faded from a solid 2nd place to 7th in moto 2 and lost all the points he had gained on Phillipearts from the first moto, Ramon cited cramp as the reason for losing places but David Phillipearts won’t be to worried about his closest title challenger if Steve doesn’t find a cure for his problem soon. Team boss Sylvain Geboers will no doubt be looking for the key to unlock Ramons potential for the whole race at the next round in France.

Marc De Reuver / Billy Mac – the likeable dutchman was flying in the 2nd moto and looked set to win his first moto of the year, when unfortunately like MacKenzie in moto 1 an unforced error left Marc in 11th place, 2 places behind his first moto finish where he charged through the field after a first lap pile up. If Roger Harvey can get Marc and Billy to stay on for the whole race using the raw speed they both possess, wins could come regularly! Mackenzie thought to his credit rode very strong in moto2 and grabbed a 4th places right behind Phillipearts and Pourcel to get 6th overall and close in on Coppins who is 4th in the championship.

Results

MX2

1 222 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI Yamaha 22 25 47
2 4 Rattray, Tyla RSA MSA KTM 25 18 43
3 2 Searle, Tommy GBR ACU KTM 20 22 42
4 24 Simpson, Shaun GBR MCUI KTM 18 14 32
5 7 Sword, Stephen GBR ACU Kawasaki 15 16 31
6 22 Boissiere, Anthony FRA FFM KTM 16 12 28
7 183 Frossard, Steven FRA FFM Kawasaki 6 20 26
8 13 Monni, Manuel ITA FMI Yamaha 14 8 22
9 121 Boog, Xavier FRA FFM Suzuki 5 15 20
10 25 Musquin, Marvin FRA FFM Honda 8 11 19

MX1

1 7 Barragan, Jonathan ESP RFME KTM 20 25 45
2 9 de Dycker, Ken BEL FMB Suzuki 25 15 40
3 19 Philippaerts, David ITA FMI Yamaha 16 20 36
4 11 Ramon, Steve BEL FMB Suzuki 22 14 36 5
5 8 Leok, Tanel EST EMF Kawasaki 15 16 31
6 211 Mackenzie, Billy GBR ACU Honda 11 18 29
7 90 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA FFM Kawasaki 0 22 22
8 14 de Reuver, Marc NED KNMV Honda 12 10 22
9 25 Desalle, Clement BEL FMB Suzuki 14 8 22
10 16 Noble, James GBR ACU KTM 8 11 19

By:Jonathan McCready, Photos: Paul McCready