It’s time for some serious business this coming Sunday, September 10th as the very competitive 2017 AMCA British Motocross Championship powered by Datatag and supported by Dunlop reaches its conclusion. The venue for the ninth and final round is Norley in Cheshire, the event being promoted by the Mid Cheshire MXC. With all four classes still to be decided, it’s sure to be a very tense day for everyone concerned!
In MX1 reigning Champion Luke Burton has led the 2017 chase all the way, his consistency bagging him five out of eight overall victories. Going into Norley the FUS FRO CPS Husqvarna rider is 132 points clear of 2nd placed Gary Gibson. So on current form, Burton should secure his second AMCA MX1 title, requiring just another 49 points from three races. The battle though for the remaining medal positions could be very interesting as three very much inform riders in Gibson, Shane Carless and Ryan Crowder go head to head.
After reigning MX2 Champion Josh Waterman bagged maximum points during last weekend’s penultimate round at Frocester, Ray Rowson on the Apex Geartec KTM saw his advantage at the top of the standings reduced to 43 points. However Rowson is a man very much inform having bagged five consecutive overall victories in this class so should still start as favourite to earn his first AMCA title at Norley on Sunday. As always MX2 as proved to be ultra-competitive with James Wainwright, Clinton Barrs, Jack Cox and Bradley Tranter all still in with a mathematical chance of catching Luke Dean who currently sits in 3rd place on 1067 points.
The rider closest to celebrating a Championship win going into this title decider is without doubt the 2T series leader Brad Turner on his IDS/AMS KTM. Travelling to Norley, Brad needs just 8 more points to wrap up proceedings so it should be job done after moto one! This class as continually produced full line-ups and great racing this year and looking at the standings this final round is sure to be another thriller! Just 137 points separate 2nd placed Jordan Saunders and 6th placed Shaun Buchan with Jason Kendrick, Bradley Doyle and James Lane providing the filling. In the separately scored 2T MX2 class, it looks like it going between Nathan Bache, Blaine Blackwell and Rory Jones for the title.
James Russell leads the Vets class going into the final round, 90 points clear of Terry House. Whilst these two are already now guaranteed a top three finish, Simon Lane who has also enjoyed another great season still has just a little work to do, the JSR Honda rider requiring another 16 points to earn his end of season medal. In this class, there is also an award for the top Over 50 rider with House a clear leader of that particular race.
Sunday’s meeting will also feature round three of the AMCA Youth 85cc/150cc Championship. Currently leading the way is Max Lewis just 2 points clear of Alfie Rickwood with Aiden Woodman in 3rd. The Norley circuit will be signposted off the A49, the postcode for sat nav users being WA6 6LJ so make sure you’re there to see who takes home the 2017 AMCA titles!