* London SX change*

London Supercross - Date and venue change
Future West Promotions have moved the final round of the ACU British Supercross Championship to the brand new state of the art O2 Arena nestled inside the huge Millennium Dome in London. Originally planned for Wembley Arena on March 1st the event now moves to the O2 Arena on February 23, 2008.
The move from the scheduled Wembley Arena comes after a clash with the annual Hawkstone International event after the organisers of the International were forced to change their date.
"It has been a lot of work to move the date and venue but the O2 facility is second to none. I was amazed when I visited the O2 for the first time. The arena is first class with features we have never seen in an arena. The O2 Arena has more seats which is a good thing as the last event we held in London back in '99 at Earls Court was packed to the rafters with 10,000 plus spectators." says Future West's John Hellam.
The O2 will have approximately the same amount of seats as Earls Court. Outside the arena you will still be under the huge dome which has been transformed into an entertainment area. Entertainment Avenue, inside the dome features numerous restaurants and bars plus a multi-plex cinema with 11 screens as well as an exhibition hall which is hosting the Tutankhamun Pharoah exhibition.
Everything is inside out of the weather under the huge dome. The O2 has its own subway and bus station plus access to central London by boat with acres of parking and easily accessible from the M25. If that is not enough the whole complex sits right next door to the David Beckham Football Academy.
Tickets for the final round of the Future West ACU British Supercross Championship will be available in the next few weeks, please stay tuned to http://www.fwsx.com/ for more details. Rounds 2 and 3 of the series are set for the brand new Liverpool Echo Arena on the 25th and 26th of January.
Tickets for Liverpool are available through the Liverpool Echo Arena box office on 0844 8000 400.14/12/2007 Cathy Rathwell

MXDN 2008 Venue change?

Motocross of Nations - Event in Northern Ireland cancelled
The 2008 Motocross of Nations, scheduled on September 28, will not take place in Moneyglass Demesne, Northern Ireland.
Other venues are currently under study in order to stage this event.

CROCKSTAR GNCC

GC goes GNCC!
Author: Sean Lawless
Gordon Crockard will be racing the US GNCC series next year as part of an official BMW factory effort. We caught up with the Crock Star at the Sheffield SX where he filled us in on the move which promises to revitalise his racing career.
“It’s myself and possibly Shane Watts as my team-mate. They want to do a two-year contract and I’m going to go over there to live. Scott Summers is the team owner and we’ll have full-on factory bikes – I’m really excited about it. Scott Summers is such a legend in that field of racing and he’s going to teach me everything I need to know. I’ll be very involved with him.
“I’m a good trials rider, my style in motocross is a conservative one and I get faster as the day goes on. Long races are going to suit me and I’m going to practice a lot over the winter. I’ve done a lot of cross country mountain bike races so they are going to help a little bit.
“If I’m successful at it I’m going to earn a lot of money and there’s no reason why I can’t go on for another eight or nine years. Also they have a two-month break in July and August because it’s too hot to race and I have it in my contract that I’m going to be free to ride any make of bike I like and any event I like. So in those two months I could take in some grand prix racing, some British championship racing, maybe even some American Nationals.

“I’m going to miss GPs and the British championship but there’s a lot of it I’m not going to miss. I miss GPs already because I think they’ve changed so much. When I started doing GPs I loved it but it’s changed and it’s now a different sport in my eyes.”

AMA Outdoor titles up for grabs

four riders, one title. That’s what it all boils down to as the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF comes to a conclusion at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 9.
Excitement will be at a fever pitch at the 12th Annual Giant RV AMA Motocross Nationals at Glen Helen. Four different riders on four different brands of motorcycles are in the hunt to win the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship. Yamaha’s Grant Langston leads the way coming into the hilly Glen Helen Raceway, but he is closely followed by Honda’s Andrew Short, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry and Mike Alessi of Red Bull KTM.
Only 15 points separate the top four riders in the Motocross championship battle. This makes the 2007 edition of the series one of the closest in the history of AMA Motocross. All four riders are vying for the first AMA Motocross title in the post-Ricky Carmichael era. Langston is a former AMA Motocross Lites (then called AMA 125 Motocross) Champion.

Langston is thrilled with the unexpected turn of events that led to him being the series leader going into the final round.
“When James got hurt it just blew things wide open,” Langston said referring to Kawasaki’s James Stewart, who was leading the series when he injured his knee at the Washougal, Wash., round in July. “Did I expect to be leading the points going into the final round? No, not really. I was sixth in the championship four rounds ago. It’s been quite a jump and I’m excited to be in the position I’m in.”

Langston has momentum on his side having won the overall in the last two AMA Motocross events in Delmont, Pa., and last weekend in Wortham, Texas.

“I like Glen Helen,” Langston continued. “I’ve always done well there. I’m definitely looking forward to it and hopefully I can finish this off and win a championship.”

Andrew Short had an excellent opportunity to close the gap on Langston in Texas this past Sunday, but he fell in the second moto and had to settle for a third overall. In spite of this Short is only eight points back with 50 points on the line at the finale.

“I left it all on the table in Texas,” Short said. “I was pretty disappointed about tipping over. That kind of mistake gives me a lot of motivation to go and do well at Glen Helen.”

Tim Ferry led the series earlier this summer and expects a dogfight this Sunday.“Everyone’s going to see a good battle in the final race,” Ferry predicted. “This is what everyone wants to see. I’d like to close out the season with a win and to have a little luck go my way.”

Ferry is the only defending Glen Helen Motocross National winner in the field. He won the race in 2001.

While the battle is between a quartet of riders in the Motocross class, the Motocross Lites division is a two-man contest.
Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates Ryan Villopoto and Ben Townley have traded the Lites class lead back and forth all season long. Defending champ Villopoto has given himself a little breathing room with victories in the last two rounds. That has pushed his lead over Townley to 19 points going into Glen Helen.
While Villopoto has the inside line on the title at Glen Helen, the title won’t likely be decided until the final moto. Villopoto is the defending Glen Helen Motocross Lites winner

Gordon Crockard

Gordon Crockard on the mend

Only four weeks after breaking his top rib and left collarbone into a number of pieces while qualifying at Namur in Belgium for the MX1 GP, Newtownards rider Gordon Crockard – who was also knocked unconscious in the high-speed incident suffering severe whiplash – is back on two wheels. Unfortunately it’s not on his PAR Homes Honda just yet, but after initially expecting to be recuperating until the New Year, Gordon is already out on his road bike punching in the miles to keep his fitness level at a respectable level.

Unfortunately Gordon is still uncertain if he can make the trip with the Irish Team to the Motocross Des Nations in the USA at the end of the month, and a decision on his position will be made next week after a meeting with his consultant. Although Gordon is very upbeat about his recovery after only four weeks, he will not jeopardise that process, especially if his body has not repaired itself to a level where he can do himself, or the team justice.Gordon Crockard“I had my first-ever ‘foreign’ holiday away from racing, taking time out in Spain which helped me immensely. The hot weather and swimming every day was great for my recovery, but I am also doing my best not to put any undue strain on the injuries. Just today I have started riding my road bike without too much discomfort, so I will step that up to the mountain bike in the coming days. I have already had a meeting with the Irish Des Nations team, but I’ll not be in a position to make a decision on riding until next week.The crash at Namur was certainly a big one and I was unconscious for over 10 minutes. I actually lost 24 hours after the accident. The pain was incredible at the time, but the tablets I was taking were actually making me feel worse and a bit depressed. We were going to go for a plate to fix the collarbone but I didn’t fancy having any metal work in my neck; then when I found out it was broken into five bits we didn’t have the luxury of that option! The recovery so far proves how well the body repairs itself, but I’ve a bit to go yet.”FootnoteGordon is now planning to take in a number or Supercross and Supermoto events in the off-season to aid his bike fitness before the start of the 2008 season. He will also be involved in a Motocross Training School at Tenerife in December. A release will be issued next week with regards to a decision on the Motocross Des Nations.

MX1 Ireland GP

The the MX1 races were full of magic moments. The opening moto it was CAS Honda rider Ken De Dycker and Suzuki factory rider Kevin Strijbos who put on the show. De Dycker holding the early lead until Strijbos took over. De Dycker came back though to win the moto. Steve Ramon and Sebastien Pourcel the two major title contenders had trouble early, Ramon holding down last place on the opening lap and Pourcel mid-pack. By race end Pourcel was fifth and Ramon 8th.
The second MX1 moto started well for both Pourcel and Ramon as they held first and third places in the opening stages of the moto. Ramon thought made a mistake and dropped back to 25th place soon after the start, and moto one winner Ken De Dycker had some problems and dropped back in the pack.
Strijbos began to pull away from Brown and Philippaerts and Ramon was working his way through the field, holding down sixth position after nine laps. Seb Pourcel began his own surge through the field and passed both Philippaerts and Brown for second place. With just five minutes left in the race Ramon moved into fourth position when Mike Brown made a mistake
and dropped back to 18th place. Strijbos eventually won the moto with a 34 second lead over Pourcel and Philippaerts in third.
In the MX1 World championship the weekend means that Josh Coppins remains the series leader with 445pts, Ramon is second with 433pts and Pourcel is on 400pts.
Strijbos comments
Of course I felt good all weekend and my races were good and the last race was easy for me. I just thought about racing my own GP, I don't know how far he (Ramon) is in the points and I just want to get as many as possible. He (Pourcel) gave me a gift by crashing, I was trying to catch him and it made it easier for me, so thanks Sebastien. I think the track was good, the jumps are good, but it wasn't good with the mud, but they did a good job and the made the jumps less steep. I think when it is dry it is one of the best tracks. The first moto I was first and then second and I got arm pump and Ken passed me again and I was just riding around. Second moto I made a gap on the others, so it was easy for me. I just want to do my race and finish maybe third in the championship.
Pourcel comments
It is good for the championship, my first moto was not so good and I took a bad start and didn't have good speed. The second moto I took a holeshot and fast first lap, bu then I crashed and it was the end of the race. I pushed really hard. It was difficult to race with Christophe in hospital. It was easier to ride knowing he is better. After my crash I pushed hard to come second. For the championship I had to pass Philippaerts. For sure it will be difficult and Kevin and David are riding fast. We will see what happens in the championship, I will see after the second race in Lierop (who wins the World title).
Philippaerts comments
The bike is very good today, but I had a small problem with the gas, but it's okay now. I didn't expect Jonathan to pass me in the first moto, he was a long way back, but then he passed me suddenly. I like this track, it's soft and very difficult, I don't like the jumps because when you land it is soft. For the championship points it is very close. Ireland was new for everyone and England is also new. Maybe Tommy Searle will give me some advice.

Cairoli World MX2 champion 2007

Antonio Cairoli is a two time World MX2 champion, adding the 2007 World MX2 title to his 2005 championship. With his biggest rival in the championship (Christophe Pourcel) out of the running due to an injury all Cairoli had to do was pick up one point in the opening moto of the MX2 class. As he has done so often this year Cairoli scored a moto win and his second title. It was a great day for the Italian as he also won the Grand Prix.
The opening moto was a piece of cake for the De Carli Yamaha rider as he came back from an average start to win the race easily, although Tommy Searle did ride a great race for second place. The second moto was a classic as Cairoli had a poor start and then fell, dropping back and leaving early leader Tommy Searle as the probable GP winner (Searle had finished second in the opening moto). Cairoli though is no quitter and fought back to slowly close in on Searle. With two laps to go Searles lead was 12 seconds, but like a magician Cairoli caught the Englishman and with half a lap remaining made a pass. The two made contact with Searle holding the lead, however shortly after Cairoli got his own back passing Searle and taking the KTM factory rider out. Searle remounted to finish with 2-2 results and second overall. Third overall was Rui Goncalves.

Cairoli comments
Normally I do this race to just win the championship and not go for the GP win. I felt good on this track and I felt better than the other riders on this track. I have such a good feeling this year and my condition is also verygood now. I don't know what happen with my start in the first moto. I tried to clean the gate, but it was really bad with all the mud and in the first corner I was on the inside and could pass some riders. I just rode smooth and found the lines, it wasn't difficult, I was thinking about the championship and that one race. I was so happy when I arrived to my team and they were waiting for me.
I started with pain in my finger in the second moto and I had to use the clutch a lot, so I had asome pain in my finger. I couldn't put the bike into second gear in the start and I was back in 18th and I tried to come back to the top, but I lost so much time behind Schiffer and I also used all the tear offs from my goggles. I always look where is Tommy , I knew if he won the second moto he would win the GP. I pushed very hard and I closed the gap, he made a small mistake and I got inside and passed him. After 10 of 12 minutes the wheel was really a problem and I was losing my balance.
For sure I ride always with number 222. I have good memories with this number and it's my number. I want another title in MX2 next year and then move to MX1. I was thinking about Pourcel, when he crashed I was not happy, when he is in the race it's more intereting, but that is motocross and I am sorry for him. I hope he comes home soon. I don't know what I do for a party, maybe tonight a small party.