Buildbase CCM & Phoenix Tools CCM enjoyed a full a squad of MX1  riders for the first time this year with 21 year old Ray Rowson firmly on the way back to full fitness.

lthough the Shropshire based Rowson was not fully race fit he came through both Moto legs without any further problems & displayed strong points scoring races to finish in the top ten overall on the day.

However it was his CCM team mates Tom Church on the Buildbase CCM & Jason Dougan on the Phoenix Tools CCM who set the early pace in the mornings qualifying. Dougan briefly stood on the pole before McKenzie posted 2.02 lap time. At this point TC was down to 9th place struggling to find the extra place.

Dave Thorpe’s CCM sporting director who was observing the practice session from the far side of the track relayed to the pit crew some advice for all the team riders & this was resulted in church pushing his best lap to take pole for the 1st time this year.

With Tom 1st and Dougan 3rd and Rowson in 13th expectations were high for the 1st Moto.

The experienced Tom Church gated well to take the hole shot ahead of the chasing pack. TC lead for the first 3 laps until the race was red flagged. Dougan made a mediocre start but after the race was stopped decided to change to his spare bike. Jason’s run of bad luck confirmed in the re-start, he made a better start only for the front brake calliper to come loose whilst pushing up to the leading pack in 7th. Meanwhile TC made another great start, this time in 3rd & mixed it with some of his regulars leading the race till half way distance when Swanepoel got past TC on the field section of the track. Anderson punched up to the back of Church to put the pressure on only from Tom to drop down to 5th when he collided with the track fencing and dislodged the air box side panel. That’s where Church finished but his Buildbase team mate Ray Rowson was charging through the pack from a poor 23rd on the 1st lap to finish a well deserved 7th place.

The 2nd Moto proved to be an equally exciting race for the teamsters as both Dougan and Church made good starts. Tom held 2nd but started to struggle with a heating rear shock absorber, first swanepoel pushed past and all Tom had to do was hold on to 3rd place to secure a podium finish, However he would be cruelly denied his 2nd podium finish of the year as in the final laps the shock began to fail completely. TC had to settle for 4th place with Dougan close behind in 5th. A disappointed Church commented; I was really cheesed off when the 1st race got red flagged as I was clean away and felt comfortable with leading the race, the re-start was also good and once again I lead for quite a while until my ex Molson Team mate  Swanny got past.

The 2nd Moto was a real struggle in the second half as the shock absorber started to fail, However the upside we’re showing the factory CCM to be a real pace setter with faster in qualifying and good race pace . So we just need to keep pushing till the end of the  year for that illusive British Championship race which we all want.

The full CCM factory squad including Alix Dunlop head off  for next weekend Red Bull event at Canada Heights to support Craig Elwell of DEP who is one of the organisers, before heading back across the country in 2 weeks time for the Foxhills round of the British Championships.

A disappointed Church commented; I was really cheesed off when the 1st race got red flagged as I was clean away and felt comfortable with leading the race, the re-start was also good and once again I lead for quite a while until my ex Molson Team mate  Swanny got past.

The 2nd Moto was a real struggle in the second half as the shock absorber started to fail, However the upside we’re showing the factory CCM to be a real pace setter with faster in qualifying and good race pace . So we just need to keep pushing till the end of the  year for that illusive British Championship race which we all want.

The full CCM factory squad including Alix Dunlop head off  for next weekend Red Bull event at Canada Heights to support Craig Elwell of DEP who is one of the organisers, before heading back across the country in 2 weeks time for the Foxhills round of the British Championships.