What a day! Visitor numbers exceeded all expectations as thousands of MX fans from around the UK converged on Hawkstone Park for the 2023 International.

MX fans were treated to a day of top-calibre riding as the famous Hawkstone Hill put young riders and world champions through their paces.  The dry weather preceding the event and the welcome sunshine on the day meant that the naturally sandy track was perfect to showcase fast and skilful riding.  In fact, some of the lap times were the fastest seen recently.

Coldenhoff and Rizzi for the win

Last year’s winner of the Superfinal, Glenn Coldenhoff, once again reigned supreme, taking both the MX1 and the Superfinal titles.  Not bad for the first race of the season and with a new bike in the offing, will we be seeing the Hoff at the top of the MXGP on a weekly basis?!  He led from the start and barely made a mistake all day, so despite pressure in both moto’s there was never much danger of him being caught.

The MX2 title went to Joel Rizzi.  The highlight was in moto 2 which saw an excellent battle between Rizzi and Jake Nicholls, who despite being officially retired, still rides his favourite tracks.

It’s always a pleasure to host less experienced riders and give them the chance to take on this technical track.  Therefore, Hawkstone saw well-supported EMX125 and Adult Support races take to the field.  These were won by Kasimir Hindesson and Arai Elcock respectively.

See the full lineup here.

Hurlings is back

It was fantastic to see the talented Jeffery Hurlings, five-time world champion, return to the track after missing all of 2022 through injury.  Whilst it wasn’t to be his day, he put in a solid performance giving him an excellent base to push from for the rest of the season.

Salop Motorclub

‘We’re blown away by the support this year’s event has received, from the thousands who attended to the viral support we received online.  The interest shown in the ASHBROOK Hawkstone International is a testament to the hard work that goes into the event and the track maintenance throughout the year.  Because of this and the timing of the event, the calibre of riders we receive is fantastic, which in turn pulls a bigger crowd.  It’s a self-perpetuating circle, one couldn’t exist without the other’, says Paul Pitney, a spokesperson for organisers, Salop Motorclub.

Paul concludes, ‘a massive thank you goes to the volunteers and sponsors, without whom, we wouldn’t have an event’.

‘Title sponsor, ASHBROOK, provides the bulldozers, excavators, tractors and telehandlers which we use to maintain the track and build up the event. They really are integral to the International’.

Title sponsors ASHBROOK

James Ashbrook, MD of plant, access and agricultural hire firm, ASHBROOK says, it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to support this sport. The skill which the riders demonstrate has to be seen to be believed and we thoroughly enjoy inviting our customers along to experience the day. That and seeing the excitement on the faces of the thousands who attend, really makes it worthwhile.  Plus, it’s an excellent way to showcase the capabilities of our market-leading hire machinery.

Photo’s with kind permission of David Wilson, Leigh Wooton, MadMaxMedia23, Motohead and TooFastFilms

Author: ASHBROOK

We are leading plant, access and agricultural machinery hire experts with specialist transport and groundwork divisions.  ASHBROOK was established during the late 1990s by James Ashbrook, who is still our Managing Director today.  We are a family-run firm and use the latest machines and exceptional customer service to ensure that we meet the exacting needs of our customers time and time again.  Based in the Northwest of the UK, close to main transport routes, we are able to deliver throughout the country and ensure that we are on time, every time, nationwide.