My write up for the Croft programme
Croft 31March & 1 April 2007
Derby Phoenix’s F400/F250 championship looks set for another thrilling season. With last years championship providing really tight racing right down to the championship deciding, nail biting, last race of the season - this season looks as if will be even better.
Last years leading protagonists, reigning F400 and F250 champion Alan Armour on his RGV VJ23 and ZXR mounted Paul Ellerker, are back for the season opener here at Croft and it looks as if these two will be continuing their battles where they left off last year. With two stroke mounted Alan Armour winning the title last season will the four strokes led by Paul Ellerker get their revenge this year.
With what is arguably the strongest F400/F250 grid in the country there are plenty who will be looking to spoil these two’s party. Last years novice champion Matt Brown (ZXR) and novice runner up Ross Searle (Aprilia RS250) will be hoping to get a look in at the front. Another former novice to look out for is Faye Whittaker (ZXR), Faye surprised many towards the end of last season with her speed particularly in the wet race at Oulton. Also keep an eye open for FZR mounted newcomers, brothers Robert and Daniel Mack and young Scott Mills (KR1S). Scott comes for the same stable as Dan Hegarty and Ben Phillips and will be hoping to follow them and race at national level.
In contrast to the new young riders in the series we have some old hands coming back to the F400/F250 class. Former F400 runner up Dan Williams is back after a couple of seasons campaigning a 600. Dan used to ride a VFR400 but has traded that in for a Honda NSR250 – he will also be out in the Open 400 on a GP250 - if the Honda is sorted definitely a man to keep an eye on. Another man making a come back is Dean Dickinson (FZR). Unlike Dan who has gone from four stroke to two stroke, Dean who used to race an Aprilia RS250 and TZ250 has moved to four strokes.
There is such depth in the F400/F250 grid it is going to be difficult to call a winner, apart from those already mentioned Derby Phoenix regulars Chris Smith, Paul Battersby, Chris Waters and Russell Bates (all ZXR), Mark Jordan (KR1R), Iain McDonald and Richard Gordon (RS250) are all capable of springing a surprise.
Mention must be made about the popularity of the series, reflected in the overall F400/F250 grids, and in particular of the F250. With 15 two strokes mixing it with 18 four strokes and more expected in later rounds, the series is attracting competitors from all corners of the United Kingdom - riders coming from England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man.