Revealed on 19 January 2023
On the eve of what’s certain to be a wild season-opening weekend in Belfast’s SSE Enviornment, the 2023 Arenacross Tour heads straight to Aberdeen in Scotland the place the brand-new 15,000-seat P&J Dwell Enviornment will host rounds three and 4 of the championship over the weekend of the twenty eighth and twenty ninth of January.
Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest metropolis and is known for a lot of issues, it’s recognized all through the world because the Granite Metropolis as a result of so lots of the native buildings are constructed out of the locally-quarried stone blocks, it’s additionally house to Scotland’s oldest bridge, a large quantity of whiskey distilleries and lots of the world’s best golf programs. And did you additionally know that Aberdeen can be thought of to be the luckiest place within the UK to purchase a lottery ticket with over 40 millionaires coming from the realm? Maybe you must make a purchase order whilst you’re within the space for the Arenacross.
One man who’ll be determined for somewhat of that luck to come back his means would be the one rider that’s carrying the hopes of a complete nation on his shoulders as the one Scot within the Arenacross Professional class line-up – Gabriel KTM’s Shaun Simpson.
The 34-year-old from Fife has had a shocking profession within the sport, profitable world championship races across the globe in addition to a number of nationwide titles (and never simply within the UK). Nonetheless, all through all of it, he’s hardly ever had the chance to race in occasions as prestigious as Arenacross on house soil in Scotland – a handful of occasions at greatest – and so this will probably be a fantastic alternative each for him and his many followers.
“In my entire profession there have been only a few alternatives to race in Scotland at occasions of this stage,” confirms Shaun. “So, racing in Aberdeen will probably be actually cool. Aberdeen is simply an hour and a bit up the highway for me and is the place a number of of my private sponsors and a few household associates are from. I believe there will probably be a fantastic environment.”
After all, Simpson is signed up for extra than simply his native spherical and will probably be one in all 24 skilled British riders trying to win this yr’s championship – the primary to be recognised by the ACU as an official British Championship.
“It’s actually cool that the ACU has seen how vital Arenacross is to the game and given it recognition as an official British Championship. The sequence promoter has gone all out to draw the highest British riders and there’s good prize cash at every spherical. Having two rounds in Aberdeen is a bonus and I undoubtedly didn’t need to cross that chance up so I dedicated to the entire championship.”
Though Simpson is a three-time British champion and winner of 4 Grands Prix within the premier MXGP class, he has restricted indoor expertise and apart from a number of one-off indoor appearances the place he’s acquitted himself effectively has to return a number of years since he raced a full indoor championship however however is worked up to get going.
“To be sincere I’m actually trying ahead to it,” he admits. “It’s not one thing I’ve performed for a wee whereas, however it’s one thing I’ve performed previously. Okay, it’s solely been one-off occasions right here and there and I’ve not performed a full indoor sequence since I used to be on a 125cc two-stroke within the early noughties, however it will likely be a fantastic expertise to offer it a go, see how it’s and relive my youth somewhat bit.”
A believer of the 5 Ps technique – Plan, Ploy, Sample, Place and Perspective or Preparation Prevents P*ss Poor Efficiency when you choose – Shaun already has his recreation plan discovered.
“The formulation for fulfillment is to remain protected in follow and set time, get gate decide for the heats, get begin in them and keep out of bother after which do the identical once more within the Essential Occasion.”
It sounds simple once you put it like that, however Shaun is absolutely conscious of simply how intense the competitors will probably be as soon as the gate drops. “I do know it will likely be tight and that anybody of 5 – 6 guys could have a shot of profitable on any particular person evening which can hold it fascinating for the riders and really thrilling for the followers.”
Does Simpson put himself on that record of potential winners? He positive does…
“I’d undoubtedly wish to assume that I may win not less than one or two races and if not then I’d wish to be on the podiums on the very least,” he admits. “If I can try this and keep constant, then I believe taking the title may be very potential.”
The 2023 Arenacross Tour:
Spherical 1: Friday twentieth January – SSE Enviornment, Belfast, Northern Eire
Spherical 2: Saturday twenty first January – SSE Enviornment, Belfast, Northern Eire – SOLD OUT!
Spherical 3: Saturday twenty eighth January – P&J Dwell, Aberdeen, Scotland
Spherical 4: Sunday twenty ninth January – P&J Dwell, Aberdeen, Scotland
Spherical 5: Saturday 4th February – The Resorts World Enviornment, Birmingham NEC, England
Spherical 6: Saturday 18th February – The OVO Enviornment, Wembley, England
Tickets are nonetheless accessible for each rounds of the Scottish leg of the Arenacross Tour introduced by Repair Auto UK. Go to www.arenacrossuk.com and observe the BUY TICKETS hyperlink.
Phrases: Press Launch
Pic: Rob Simpson
