By Roddy Brooks
March 29 2005

Brad Anderson has set his sights on retaining the British Masters Motocross Pro 125 title, and hopes to get his challenge off to a winning start at Culham this weekend. The O’Neal Yamaha rider heads a strong entry list for the first of six rounds, taking place at the Oxfordshire venue near Abingdon.

“Everything’s good going into the Culham round and I want to win,” said Anderson. “Culham’s a pretty good track and everything seems to be going good for me right now.”

Having joined the O’Neal Yamaha team for this season, Anderson has decided to carry on riding a 125cc two-stroke, despite the general move to race four-strokes. “I had the chance to race the 250 four-stroke, or the 125, and I just seem to get on well with the 125 so I am sticking with it,” he explained. “There are a lot of riders who will be at Culham who are on about the same speed, and it will make it very interesting racing.”

Anderson is already reaping the benefits of joining his new set-up under the guidance of team owner Roy Emberson. “Roy’s really good, he gives me everything I need and nothing’s too much trouble. I want to pay the team back by winning this title.”

But Anderson will face stiff competition in what looks a strong Pro 125 class. The entry includes Hooper Suzuki team-mates Lewis Gregory and John May; Innovate Honda’s Wayne Smith and Danny Smyth; KTM UK’s Oliver Sandiford-Smith; Phoneparts KTM’s Jim Murro; Ben Saunders on the Ray Hockey Racing Roberts Plant Yamaha; and Graeme Gowland on the ARW Racing Kawasaki are also in contention. Some of the rising stars just out of the youth ranks, who have been making their names with the series, are now moving into the Pro 125 ranks. Some of those entered for this season include Team Green Kawasaki’s Ray Rowson and Molson Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle; Moto Vision Suzuki’s Kristian Whatley and Cradley Kawasaki’s Chad Yarranton.

The series is that well supported that over 350 riders have registered with only a handful of places left in the Pro Open ranks. The Pro Open class sees Innovate Honda strongly represented with new team-mates Jody Smyth, Stuart Flockhart and Alex Rach in a three-pronged attack on the championship. Also challenging for honours are Moto Vision Suzuki’s Ben Taylor, Meredith TM’s Jordan Rose, Glen Phillips on the O’Neal Yamaha, and the unpredictable Jason Higgs back on the 500cc two-stroke Kawasaki.

The AMCA have taken over the series from the KWS organisation, but have retained the same staff to give riders in all classes - through Pros, Amateurs and Youth - security in the knowledge that the events will be staged to the same high standard. The series, which will also includes a fully subscribed field of youth and amateur racing, begins with the opening round at Culham on 2nd-3rd April, followed by Hawkstone Park on 7th-8th May.

Anyone interested in being a marshal for the opening round at Culham should call Polly Gatehouse on 07974-761464. All trade enquiries should be made to Ken Winstanley on 01543-466282. For more details visit the series’ website at www.britishmastersmx.com