Round five of this year’s Michelin MX Nationals travels southeast to the iconic and famous Canada Heights circuit next to the M25 in Swanley Kent and it promises to be a hot one, not only in the racing but in the weather to as the countries heatwave continues. It’s just over a year since the motorcycling community lost the hugely popular and talented Frenchman Steven Lenoir #685. The MX Nationals crew will be paying tribute to him this weekend at Canada Heights, with the Steven Lenoir Memorial Trophy.
Everyone present at the circuit is invited to get on the track on Sunday afternoon to recreate the ‘family photo’ taken last year at Hawkstone Park. This will be followed by a parade lap, where Steven’s close friends will ride three of his championship winning bikes around the Kent track. Steven’s family and friends will be at the event, and the Steven Lenoir trophy will be awarded to the highest-placed Fastest 40 rider on the day.
But don’t be worried that about track conditions as the water level of the Sidcup club’s lagoon has dropped to an all-time low the organisers have acquired 60,000 litres (That’s 15,000 gallons in old money) to top it up before the weekend and with the combined skills of the club and the MX Nationals team it will all hopefully be fine.
At the last round at Preston Docks series leader Jake Nicholls suffered his first defeat of the year in the pro MX1s at the hands of second place man Elliott Banks-Browne but still has a lead of 18 points. But Nicholls is on a high having just returned from an excellent tenth overall at last weekend’s Lucas Oils Pro Motocross championship from Red Bud in the USA. Ryan Houghton hasn’t visited the podium yet this series, but consistent high places finishes sees him third.
Brad Anderson still leads the pro MX2 despite a poor result at the last round through injury, but double race winner Josh Gilbert will be hard to beat and there will be a good chance the Buildbase Honda’s will top both pro podiums. Lewis Tombs has been getting better and better each round and has visited the podium twice and is currently in a strong third place in the championship.
Richard Bird has a commanding 64-point lead in the expert MX1s and has only finished out of the top three in four times from 15 starts. Brad Cavill is second with Ryan Crowder after making such a strong start to the year fading to third.
Despite a DNF in round two Jason Meara has a massive 81-point lead over Ben Clark a Ryan McClean in the expert MX2s and was unbeaten at the last round.
Things are closer at the top of the clubman MX1s and Aiden Christie leads Guy Price by just 16 points and just one DNF would gobble up that advantage while Harry Foster has a 43-point lead over Fabio Rizzi in the clubman MX2s.
Callum Green had a slow start to the series but has one the last seven races. Despite that he only has a seven-point lead over Aaron-Lee Hanson who seems to have won most of the others.
Joel Rizzi is running away with the MXY125s and has a 105 advantage over Dylan Spencer.
Ryan Mawhinney and Jack Grayshon are still locked in battel at the top of the big wheel 85 standing and are separated by just 28 points, while in the small wheel side of the combined race Bailey Johnston has a 36-point lead over Ollie Colmer.
Remember practice starts 9.00 on Saturday with everyone but the pros getting two races each. Pros have only two races on Sunday only. It only costs £15 on the gate for adults to get in (kids under 12 free) or £12 on-line. You can camp over the weekend from Friday which will cost £10.