This weekend was the final round of the Maxxis British championship. Coming into the weekend I had been working really hard with my training as the last two rounds hadn’t really gone to plan and I wanted to finish the year off on a high note. The track was prepared perfect and was looking awesome. On the Saturday I took part in a run to raise money for mark Hucklebridge who is fighting an illness. It was a pretty cool thing and some money got raised so well done to everyone involved.

Qualifying: I got into a rhythm straight away and felt good with the tack but there was something not quite right with the clutch on my bike which held me back a little bit but it wasn’t to much of a problem as I knew it could be sorted for the race. At the end of the session I ended up 21st but I knew I could do allot better in the races.

Race one: I got a terrible start as I got tangled with the rider next to me. I put a few solid laps in at the start to get into the top 20 where I found myself in an ongoing battle till the end with a big gaggle of riders. My fitness was good and showed at the end of the races as I was able to pick the riders of finishing the race in 12th.

Race two: I got an average start and was inside the top 20 from lap one. This race I was a little bit more aggressive in the opening laps and I was able o move up the order quite quickly. I pushed up to 12th and found myself in a lonely race until the last two laps where I was able to catch up to 11th place but was just cut short on making the pass.

Race three: going in to this race I knew I had a good chance on making the top 10. I got the best start of the day and was 15 on the first lap. Again I put some quick laps in and made some good passes to move up through the pack quickly. all the hard work in the week paid off as I was able to keep my pace until the end and brought it home in 9th place for my first ever top 10 at the British championships.

Overall: today has been a great day and a great way to end the season. Overall on the day I finished 8th which is my best ever. Also I managed to finish 19th in the championship after only scoring one point at round6 and none at round 7. I am really happy with how the weekend went and I can’t wait for next year where I will be moving up into the mx1 class where hopefully I can have another good year.

I would like to say a big thanks to my mum and dad and all my sponsors this year for helping me this year.

Thanks Ash #704

After having some treatment and Physio on my ankle since Duns I decided to enter the two stroke open class at the red bull pro nationals. When arriving at the track it was perfectly prepared.
Qualifying: after strapping my ankle up in the morning it was still a little bit sore when putting my boot on and I didn’t really know what to expect. I managed to get 2 good laps in which was both the same times with in the 1000s of a second and was good enough to out me in 4th

Race one: in the holding pen it began to rain quite heavy. I knew with the rain I needed to get a good start. I did get a good start and came round the first turn in 2nd. I got a little bit tense the first few laps and eventually dropped to 3rd. Half way through I found my rythem and had a long hard battle to the end with carl nunn where I was able to break away the last two laps and bring it home for 3rd.

Race two: again I gated very well and was 3rd out of the first turn. I rode a little bit better but again struggled abit. Having two weeks of no training and exercise was taking it’s toll on me but I managed to battle through and bring it home again in 3rd.

Race three: by this race I was little bit tired and my ankle was starting to hurt but I knew what I had to do to get third overall. I didn’t get off to a good start as a certain someone stole my gate. I battled through the pack motivated to catch the top 5. I rode slot better than I did all day and got up to 4th and managed to maintain it to the flag to get 3rd overall and get up on the podium.

Overall: 3rd overall was good to get up on the podium but I wasn’t 100% happy with the way I rode. 2 weeks of doing nothing at all really made me realise how much you need to put in to get back. I have got the all clear to start training again now so I will be back on that this week and hopefully be fit and ready for the last round of the British masters in 2 week.

Ash #704

After a terrible week of bad weather everybody was expecting to turn up to a washed out track. When arriving at the track it was in pretty good condition. The wind carried on blowing and by the time qualifying came on Sunday morning the track was looking good

Qualifying: the track was deeply rotavated and was really good except a few places where they were damp spots. I didn’t really get a good lap in but felt good on the bike and ended the session in 21st position.

Race 1: The track had some really good lines now developed. I got off to a good start and came round the first turn about 15th. During the first lap I made some silly choices and mistakes and dropped back to just outside the top 20. I took a couple of laps to get going but eventually a few laps in I started to get into a rhythm and began picking the riders off. I worked my way up into the points and unfortunately I made a small error going into a corner and the rider behind me committed on making the pass and ran over my foot. The pain was immense straight away and I was forced to pull out of the race.

After further inspection and seeing specialists I found out that I had a mild dislocation of the foot. I am now having Physio and hopefully should be back to ride in no 2-3 weeks

Today was a bad day for me again as no points was scored and I have dropped down to 20th in the championship. Although I have hurt my foot it could of been slot worse so hopefully it won’t set me back to much and I can have a good string finish to the year

Ash #704

Qualifying mx2: the track was really flat and fast after the grading overnight… I felt good on the bike and was enjoying the track and finished the session in 10th which wasn’t a too bad pick on the gate.

Qualifying mx1: this was straight after mx2 and there was few lines starting to develop. The 250 two stroke felt sweet and I managed to get a good lap in finishing 7th.

Race1 mx2: the track was starting to get rough and dry. I got a bad start and got caught up in a pile up half way round the first lap. I couldn’t start my bike and by the time I finally got it going I was nearly a lap down. Being on my own it wasn’t the best race to be in as I was on my own just riding round. I kept tugging and putting some good lap times in to eventually finish 14th

Race mx1: mid pack start and by this time the track was very dusty. Especially going up the hill as we were the only group going up there the sun had just baked it. I didn’t ride to well the first few laps as I was a bit unsure of the dust. After 10 mins i put the hammer down and started to pass some people and move up to 8th by the end of the race

Race 2 mx2: the track now was really dry and rough the whole way round. Again I suffered with not a great start and couldn’t see too well on the first few laps as the dust was bad. Again I didn’t ride very well the first few laps and even lost a few places making it even more hard work for myself. Towards the middle of the race I began to find my rhythm and start to move forward. I managed to get up into 8th and at the finish was only 2 seconds behind 5th.

Race 2 mx1: this was late in the day and the track wasn’t very pretty. The organisers decided it was too dusty to send us up the hill and sent us up the cut off. Another mid pack start didn’t make it any easier for me. I plugged away all race and managed to keep a good pace the whole way through getting up to 7th at the finish.

Overall mx2: 10th
Overall mx1: 6th
Overall today has been pretty good… I would have liked to get better results in mx2 but luck wasn’t on my side. I’m glad to be away in one piece and look forward to the maxxis next weekend at Dunns.

Ash 704

This weekend was round 6 of the Maxxis British motocross championship…

Qualifying: the track was quite dry and there wasn’t really allot of water put down on the track which was a surprise. This meant the track was very fast and the times were really close. At the end of the session I ended up 25th which wasn’t great but my lap time wasn’t too far off where I needed to be.

Race 1: in the interval between qualifying and the races the sprinklers were turned on and quite allot of water was put down on the track making it slippy in places. I got a bad start and was just inside the top 30 on the end of lap one. I really struggled to find a rhythm and couldn’t get to terms with the track. I didn’t ride very good and at the end of the race I could only manage 22nd

Race 2: after race one I was a bit mad at myself for riding so badly. The track was in the best condition it had been all day. I got a mid pack start but this time I got into a bit of a rhythm and found some good places to make some passes. Half way through the race I moved up to 16th and closed on a gaggle of riders in front. With three laps to go I was right behind them when u unfortunately the bracket holding my seat on snapped causing my seat to fall off. I tried to carry on and race for two corners but there was no way I was going to be able to finish the race inside the points. Unfortunately I dropped back to 25th

Race 3: by this time in the day the track was very dry and very dusty. Again I didn’t make a good start and was buried at the back of the field. With the track being so dry there wasn’t really allot of overtaking going on. Everybody seemed to be running the same pace. At the end of the race I crossed the line in 20th bringing the only point all day home

Overall: today has been a bad day for me and I want to forget about it and move on. I am glad to be away from there in one piece and still in the top 20 in the championship. ASH #704

Qualifying mx2: the track wasn’t prepared very well and was watered far too much making the track horrible and sloppy. I really struggled to get a good lap in and was struggling to get to terms with the track finishing in 25^th.
 
Qualifying mx1: this was straight after mx2 and the track hadn’t really got any better but I did manage to get a better lap in finding some new lines finishing 15th.
 
Race 1 mx2: the track was very one lined and was still really muddy making it hard to pass. I didn’t feel comfortable with the track and really struggled with pace. I managed to stay on the bike and bring it home in 13th.
 
Race 1 mx1: the track was getting better and I was really up for having a better race after riding so bad in the first race. However I got a bad start and was to aggressive going in to turn 3 and fell off in the mud. I picked myself up miles behind the field. I felt allot better and was riding good finding new lines and managed to pull through to 12^th.
 
Race 2 mx2: I got a good start and was running about 11th on the first lap. I made a small mistake resulting in a crash on a corner dropping me back to 20th. The track was really one lined now with only one fast line. I got stuck in and pulled through into the top 15th and then bad luck struck again with a mechanical problem in the engine causing me to retire half way through.
 
Race 2 mx1: my last race of the day and the track was getting a bit sketchy in places. I got a good start and battled hard the first few laps getting up to 8th. The last 10 mins of the race was really tough because I was on my own so it was hard to keep concentration. I brought it home in 8^th. Thankfully finishing the day off better than the start

Ash #704

After the long journey over Arriving at the track was well worth it as the track looked amazing! It was prepped perfectly and i couldn’t wait to get out there…

Qualifying: we were the first group out on the track and it was so much fun with all the big jumps nice and fresh. I really enjoyed riding the track but didn’t really end up qualifying where I wanted to in 24th. It wasn’t too bad though because the times were so close. I just need to be 1 second faster and I would of been where I needed to be.

Race 1: I was mid pack of the start going in to the second turn where 2 riders collided in front of me crashing leaving me nowhere to go but to get tangled with them. I got going again at the back of the pack. The track was still fast which didn’t really help me as the times were still close. I put my head down and rode good catching back up to 21st just missing out on the points.

Race 2: another mid pack start but this time I managed to stay up right on the first lap. The track was now starting to get rough and I was really enjoying it. I got myself up to 15th and was feeling strong. there was a big gap to the group in front of me but I kept plugging away and the last 3 laps I took big chunks out of them and managed to be on their back wheel on the last lap but was unable to make the pass finishing in 15th.

Race 3: after race 2 I was feeling really good about the last race. I got a really bad start just avoiding a pile up. I put the hammer down the first few laps pushing into the top 20. Half way through the race I began to pick the riders of one by one and kept a good strong pace all the way till the end finishing in strong 11th.

Overall today was a good day for me. It was a shame about not scoring in race 1 but that’s racing. I was happy with my speed and fitness I just need to keep plugging away and hopefully I will break the top 10 soon

Ash #704

This weekend was round 4 of the British masters at foxhills Moto Park. The track was a bit wet on the Saturday for the armatures but Sunday morning the track was perfect.
Unfortunately there was no transponder timing as the machines went down on the Saturday so qualifying became free practice.

Free practice mx2 and mx1: the track was in really good condition and i was having fun warming up. I found some good lines and was looking forward to the races

Race 1 mx2: I got a average start and was mid pack. I was riding ok and battling hard, the racing was really close as there was a really strong line up. I ended the race in 13th.

Race 1 mx1: I got a good start and was lucky to escape a really big pile up on the first straight. Again the racing was tough and very competitive. I kept charging all the way till the end eventually finishing 12th.

Race 2 mx2: I got shut off on the start and was at the back of the pack. I charged through the first lap into the top 20. On the second lap I picked up a problem with the adjuster on my clutch there for causing me to have no clutch. I kept on pushing getting through to 15th. with about 10 mins to go I was really struggling to ride and get through the ruts and eventually stalled it on a corner and took ages to get going. By the time I was going I was out the top 20 so I pulled out.

Race 2 mx1: final race of the day and I new I had to hang in there and I would do ok. Again a mid pack start but I rode really good and aggressive the first few laps to get into the top 15.. I kept a good strong pace till the end picking off a few riders at the end finishing 11th

overall it was a pretty good day. The results wasn’t to good but it was a very strong line up as a lot of riders were getting practice in for the maxxis there in a few weeks time.

Ash #704

Qualifying: the track was a complete mud bath! They had put so much water on the track it was difficult just to get round! With all the bike problems lately I had no bike this weekend so Dean lane the team manager of lanes Kawasaki was kind enough to lend me Scott Elderfields practice bike… with the mud and someone else’s bike I really struggled to get a feel of the bike and I never really got a good lap in where I made all the jumps.. I ended the session in a miserable 31st
Race 1: the track had dried up a lot but there was really only one good line and when you went off it you lost allot of time… I got a mid pack start but got caught up in a traffic jam on turn 3 putting me right at the back of the pack.. I plodded on and got more used to the bike every lap and pulled through to 19th…
Race 2: I didn’t get a very good run into the first turn but there was a big pile up on the inside so I was able to creep round the outside and into the top 20.. I rode allot better and had good speed but struggled to pass some riders that I was faster than… At the flag I ended up 13th.
Race 3: I got a terrible start as I lost my balance on the bike just before the gate dropped… I battled hard the first few laps and got to the 20 mark when I made a little mistake coming out of a corner and got a rear wheel slide on the take off of a jump causing me to go down quite hard… it wasn’t a really big crash but I banged my head quite hard and saw some stars for a minute… by the time I was up and setting off the leaders was round and there was no point me carrying on and getting in the way..
Overall on the day I was 18th which wasn’t one of my best days but I was quite happy I got some points on a borrowed bike I had never seen until the day before.. The points have now moved me up to 16th in the championship.. Hopefully I can keep pushing on and get into the top 15
a very big thank you to Dean lane for borrowing me a bike for the day to use

ASH #704

MX2 qualifying: qualifying was a disaster! They had watered the track loads which made it a little bit wet and slick for the first few laps… when they turned the board for timed I was starting to feel good as the track was churning up… I had a pretty good lap going when 3/4 of the way round my bike decided to let go! I pushed the bike back and got the transponder and managed to get one lap in on my old practice bike finishing a very disappointing 19th..
MX1 qualifying: this was the first time at a race meeting on the 2fiddy two smoker… I felt pretty good on the bike straight away and I really enjoy riding it.. I got a much better lap in but was still only 15th.
MX1 race one: I got a very average start and was mid pack… I felt better on the bike every lap and began to move through the pack nicely and making some passes.. At the end of the race I ended up 9th
MX2 race one: I got tangled up in a first turn crash… I didn’t go down but I was stuck in someone else’s bike which cost me some time… I got going and felt good straight away as I was still warm from the mx1 race… i had some really good lines and I pushed through to 8th and managed to take 7th on the penultimate corner
MX1 race two: again I struggled to get the power down on the 2 stroke as it wanted to just wheelie down the start straight.. Mid pack on the first lap again I got to work and ate some serious roost to take 7th at the flag
MX2 race two: the track at this point was starting to get really dry and dusty especially the first turn.. I got an ok start but I was far too cautious on the first few turns in the dust instead of hanging it out… it was getting harder to pass as there was only really one good line… I didn’t take any chances and brought it home in 9th
overall: I finished the day 7th overall in both classes which was ok but I feel I could of done more if I got out with the leaders… I got some good points on the board and moved up to 4th in mx1 championship.

ASH # 704