Sunday saw the Chambers Racing team head to the famous Hawkstone Park for the highly competitive Hawkstone International event which featured a number of top Grand Prix and European riders.
The Chambers Racing team lined up at Hawsktone with four riders and despite the rain in the days leading up the event the track was in a good condition and made for some tough and challenging racing as the forecasted rain held off for the day.
In the morning qualifying session, Tom Grimshaw finished the session in 17th place after struggling to produce a good lap, ahead of new teammate Alfie Jones in 18th who was making his Pro debut with the team. Also completing in the MX2 class was young Harvey Cashmore who finished 30th fastest. In the MX1 class Ben Putnum was competing on a 450 machine for the first time and finished the qualifying session in 20th place.
The opening MX2 class saw Tom Grimshaw and Harvey Cashmore both get caught up in a crash on the first corner but the pair both quickly regrouped and charged forward, with Tom making it back to 12th place at the finish. In his first Pro MX2 race Alfie got up to as high as 14th before a small mistake towards the end dropped him to 18th at the finish. For Harvey it was a solid race in his first Pro event as he came home in 26th place after the first turn crash.
The second MX2 race saw a better start for Grimshaw who was just outside the top 10 on the opening lap with Jones and Cashmore both in the mid pack. For Grimshaw it was a solid ride all race long that would see him finish in 11th and take 9th overall. Jones managed to progress forward from his mid pack start and claim 15th for 18th overall. Cashmore rode another strong race and improved to finish in 23rd and claim 24th overall.
In the MX1 class, Ben Putnum was the team's sole rider and when the gate dropped, Ben made a good start and was inside the top 20 early on. As the race progressed Ben moved his way forward to finish in 17th place. The second MX1 race would see Ben make a better start and produce another good ride to finish in 17th place once again and take 17th overall.
The final race of the day was the Superfinal, which featured the top 20 MX2 and MX1 riders. When the gate dropped Grimshaw was inside the top 10 with Putnum just outside the top 10. Grimshaw made good use of the strong start and charged in the opening stages and ended the race in 12th and the 5th MX2 rider. Unfortunately, Jones's race was short as he suffered a slight technical issue and had to retire along with Putnum who retired early.
Speaking after the event Team Owner Tim Chambers commented "It's great to be back racing as a team and all four riders have ridden really well inside the top 20. Harvey was doing his first meeting in the Adults and stepped up well, Ben was racing the 450 in MX1 for the first time and had a couple of good starts. Young Alfie finished inside the top 15 against a highly competitive line up was great. Tom had another great day with 9th overall in the MX2 class and then claimed a well deserved 12th in the Superfinal and was the 5th MX2 rider home. So a massive well done to the riders and the everyone involved in the team for today."
Tom Grimshaw - "It's been one of my best Hawkstone Internationals as I normally come here and struggle. In the races I went 12th and 11th and then 5th MX2 rider in the Superfinal. Overall my riding was good today and these pre season races are all about getting back into race mode and reducing the arm pump and tension after the off season and with each race today it was getting better. My fitness and pace is good but I'm just working on my aggression but overall I'm pleased with today and we still have time before the first round of the British."
Alfie Jones – "Today was my first Pro race but I'm happy with how it went overall. The results in both races were good and although I had a couple of issues in the first race in was riding well. In the second race I had a good race and I'm pleased to be inside the top 15 and learning the pace of the Pro with every session."
Ben Putnum – "Today was first race of the season for me and the track was tough but I'm happy with how it went. It was my first time out racing on the 450 and my starts were good so I'm happy with them and will work on them in the coming days and weeks. My results could have been a bit better but we have time to work on things and I'm looking forward to heading to Matterley Basin."
Harvey Cashmore – "It was good day today in the MX2 class which was bit of a struggle in the first race as it was my first time in the class and going down on the first turn. In the second race I got a better start and felt better and managed to finish in 23rd for 24th overall so I'm pleased with the day"
