Jason Macbeth Racing

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PRESS RELEASE – 16 April 2008

Jason Macbeth of Reading, England is in the US for 6 months competing in the Moose Racing ATV MX Nationals Motocross Series, which is one of two ATV Nationals within the US. Up to now Jason has successfully raced all over the UK and Europe.

Jason’s sponsors are: Fourtech ATV Racing, Shenandoah Honda, Motul Oils, PEP Suspension, Kenda Tyres USA, Fly Racing, OMF Wheels, Lonestar Racing, Venom Exhaust Systems, PC Carbon Products, RipNRoll Systems, Gaerne Boots, IMS Roll, Streamline Brakes and MX Graphics.

He arrived in early March with his brother, Lee, and commenced the work of preparing for the series by purchasing 2 new Honda TRX 450R from Shenandoah Honda of Winchester, Virginia. His home base is in Laytonsville, Maryland at the home of Iain Buckingham. His back up team consists of his Dad Gary Macbeth, Lee Macbeth and Iain Buckingham

The Moose Racing ATV MX Nationals Motocess series runs bi-weekly over the Eastern States of the US. There are 28 different classes covering from 4-5 year old kids to Over 40’s, and everything in between! Jason is competing in the Pro Am Unlimited and Production classes.

The first meeting at Pell City, Alabama meant a long road trip of 730 miles each way, undertaken in a loaned motorhome and newly kitted out trailer. There were 70 riders attempting to qualify for the Pro Am classes and only 20 slots available in each. The first moto is split into four divisions with the top 4 riders qualifying from each division, then there are 2 ‘last chance’ qualifiers. Jason unfortunately missed qualifying for the Production class by one place and also did not qualify for the Unlimited. This can be put down to the new bike (which he was unable to test prior to the meeting due to time crunch), unfamiliarity with the race (different length) and style of riding, but it was a good opportunity to gain experience for the next round.

The second meeting was in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The weather was foul with monsoon rains on the Thursday night and very cold. The track was in a good condition, despite the weather, due to excellent track maintenance. This time Jason qualified on the Saturday for the Unlimited class with a 5^th place in the first moto (top 7 proceeding) but in the main race crashed at the start with 2 other riders and was only able to finish 16^th overall.

Things changed however on the Sunday, when Jason qualified in 5^th place in the first moto and then achieved a 5^th place in the main event, giving him 5^th place overall in the Pro Am Production Class – therefore winning a cash prize which covered the entry cost.

Jason is in 12^th place overall in the Pro Am Production Class, after 2 meetings (and 2700 miles of driving!), the next meeting is in Birch Creek, Virginia. Jason’s looking for a fan club, come out and support the only British rider in the series!!

You can follow Jason’s progess at www.jasonmacbethracing.com or www.atvmotocross.com.

PRESS RELEASE – 18 May 2008

The 3^rd round was at Birch Creek, Virginia – the weather was good and track condition perfect. Friday practice went well, the Saturday saw the Pro Am Unlimited Moto’s in which Jason finished 5rh in both moto’s, giving him a 5^th overall and moving him up to 12^th place in the Pro Am Unlimited series.

There was overnight rain Saturday which made the track pretty wet, but by the time Jason rode it had dried out sufficiently. In the first moto of the Pro Am Production Jason finished 5^th and then in the second moto he started badly which meant he had to move up several places to finish in 8^th,.Jason was placed 9^th overall in this class on the day and ranked 11^th in the Series at this point.

Walnut, Illinois was the setting for the 4^th round – this was an 800 mile drive (each way!), meaning that Jason and his team spent 6 days altogether on one meeting. Bad weather was forecast (again) and this came true, with torrential rain overnight on Saturday. Friday’s practice ended with a crash in the last session, the bike was damaged and Jason bruised his shoulder. The bike was put back together for the moto’s on Saturday and Jason did well in Pro Am Unlimited practice but had the last gate pick in the first moto which resulted in a very bad start and he only managed 12^th which didn’t automatically qualify him for the second moto. He had to take part in the last chance qualifier (3 laps) and only the top 3 go through to the second moto. Luckily enough he made second place and was able to go ahead to the second moto but again had another bad start and finished in 12^th, This meant that he dropped down to 14^th in the Pro Am Unlimiited Series.

On Sunday, the whole track and site was flooded. There was a foot of water around the team’s motorhome! Due to this forecast rain the organizers had pushed extra races in on Saturday and only ran the Pro and Pro Am races on Sunday. Because of the conditions they cut short the Pro Am races and only ran the 2 divisions and did not run the main moto. Jason finished 4^th in the second division but overall places were determined on lap times from both races and Jason ended up with an 8^th place overall. He has now moved up to Joint 8^th in the Pro Am Production series.

The next round is in High Point Pennsylvania, one of the closest to home base, over Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and for once, it won’t rain!!

You can follow Jason’s progess at www.jasonmacbethracing.com or www.atvmotocross.com.