Date: 9 March 2008

The opening round of the Maxxis British champs kicked off at the spectacular road race facility in Donington Park this weekend. Molson Kawasaki racer, Gareth Swanepoel, still trying to find race form after a shattered ankle at the MX of Nations in Budds Creek which sidelined the South African for over 3 months, was content with his race speed but experienced some tough luck during the day.

Swanepoel got off to a reasonable start in Moto 1, and worked his way through the pack into 3rd spot behind rivals Tommy Searle and Pascal Leuret. Swanie was setting up the Frenchman for a pass to claim second spot when a gaggle of lapped riders threw a spanner in the works, allowing fellow team-mate, Stephen Sword, to take advantage of the mayhem. With one lap to go Swanepoel could not get back into the fight and had to settle for fourth.

In Moto 2, ‘Swanie’ snatched a good start and was positioned in the top 3. His advantage was short lived when Shaun Simpson cleaned out the number 5 Molson Kawasaki in turn three with a questionable manoeuvre. Swanepoel re-joined the race stone last, luckily unscathed, and fought back into the top 10 with 9th place secured at the end of the race.

“It’s not the start to the championship I had hoped for” admitted Swanepoel “I am really happy with the performance of the bike and its clear that we have a great base for the GP’s. My speed was not too bad either considering the time I have had off after my injury in Budds Creek last year. My fitness is good and I look forward to getting more race time in the saddle before the first GP in Valkenswaard.”

Swanepoel will contest the first round of the Dutch championship in Gemert on the 16 of March as preparation for Valkenswaard, however he will return to the UK a week later for the second round of the British champs in Canada Heights.

Results:

Overall MX2

1 Tommy Searle 50 = 25 +25

2 Stephen Sword 44 = 22 + 22

3 Pascal Leuret 38 = 20 + 18

4 Martin Barr 32 = 16 + 16

5 Carlos Campano 30 = 15 + 15

6 Gareth Swanepoel 30 = 18 + 12

7 Neville Bradshaw 28 = 14 + 14

8 Elliot Banks-Browne 23 = 13 + 10

9 Shaun Simpson 20 = 0 + 20

10 Kristen Whatley 19 = 10 + 9