VIDEO: Top-class motocross action at Phoenix Moto Parc near Newton Abbot

IT MAY HAVE been a bitterly cold day, but a large crowd of spectators were rewarded with some top-class motocross action at Phoenix Moto Parc near Newton Abbot on Sunday 3 March…

Event organizers were delighted with the turnout for the first major motocross event in the south west this season.

They described the opening round of the 2013 Phoenix Tools Premier Motocross Championship as a "huge success", predicting that the 2013 championship will be "the most competitive we have seen in many years", with "consistency being the big key".

And as the day progressed, several riders – including Plymouth's Darren Shears and 15-year-old Todd Kellet from Langport – really shone.

Experts

There was keen interest in the Phoenix Tools Expert Open Class as the field not only included top South West riders but also 15 competitors from the British Championship.

In the opening race, Welshman Shane Carless (Oakleaf Kawasaki) took an early lead, but his Tivertonian team-mate Alex Snow battled his way through, piled on the pressure and took over the top spot on lap 3. Carless didn't give up though, and kept within striking distance.

Further back, Plymouth's Darren Shears (PCMP Yamaha) came through the field with some superb laps. However he went down into the mud while challenging for third.

Snow was still leading on lap 8, but became delayed by a backmarker. Sensing an opportunity, Carless pounced and regained the lead. And that's how it finished, with Carless in first, Snow in second and Radstock's Luke Hawkins (Phoenix Tools Honda) third.

In the second race, 16-year-old Tommy Alba from Taunton (HPR/Dirtbikexpress Honda) stormed into the lead, but after a determined effort, Alex Snow overtook him on lap 2, retaining the lead for the rest of the race. Darren Shears put in his best effort of the day, coming in second, with Shane Carless third.

In the third race, South Molton's Luke Hill (HPR/Dirtbike Express Honda) had a good start and held on until he made an error on lap 2. Carless came through, followed by Snow and Shears. Snow caught and passed Carless on lap 3. Hawkins made ground on Shears, passing Carless to move in to second. Meanwhile Shears piled on the pressure and overtook Carless. Snow took the win, with Hawkins second and Shears – to much applause – taking third.

After Round 1's three races, Alex Snow leads the Phoenix Tools Expert Open Class with 147 points, followed by Shane Carless (138 points) and Darren Shears (122 points).

Juniors

The Tyremarks Junior Championship saw some blistering action, with several new names coming through.

Mid-Glamorgan's Jay Thomas (K J Services KTM), had a tremendous start in the opening race and took the lead. He came under pressure, but after Ryan Williams (KTM) from Newport had a puncture, Thomas regained the lead and won. Anthony Milliar (A T Motocross Honda) from Congresbury was second, with 15-year-old Todd Kellett (Team Green Kawasaki UK) from Langport in third.

Kellet shone brightly during the second and third Junior races, taking first place in both events.

After Round 1's three races, Kellet leads the Tyremarks Junior Championship with 415 points, followed by Jay Thomas in second with 402 points and Blandford's Stephen Bain (Yamaha) in third with 385 points.

Other rounds during the day included the MD Racing South West Premier Overs, won by Rick Hanson (147 points), with Jamie Deadman second (144 points) and Mark Wilde third (127 points).

"Huge success"

Speaking after the event, Si Higgins, clerk of the course, was delighted.

"Round 1 was a huge success," he said, "With the line-up of quality riders and the first big event in the south west of the season, we were extremely pleased with the turn-out.

"Darren Shears – a local lad from Plymouth – was the rider of the day. He may no longer compete at British Championship level, but showed the rest of the field that he still has the speed when needed. And in the Junior class, Todd Kellett is going to be the man to beat this season.

"This year we will see the most competitive championship we have seen in many years, with consistency being the big key."

The next event in the series is at Fraddon Moto Parc, Fraddon, Cornwall TR8 5BP on Easter Day (Sunday 31 March).

Results

Phoenix Tools South West Premier MX Experts Round 1 (three races)

1. Alex Snow – 147 points (2nd, 1st, 1st)
2. Shane Carless – 138 points (1st, 3rd and 4th)
3. Darren Shears – 122 points (11th, 2nd and 3rd)

Tyremarks South West Premier Juniors (three races)

1. Todd Kellett – 415 points (3rd, 1st, 1st)
2. Jay Thomas  – 402 points (1st, 7th, 3rd)
3. Stephen Bain – 385 points (4th, 9th, 6th)

More pictures: Motocross near Newton Abbot