Competitors were treated to much improved conditions as clear skies and warmer weather ensured racing at the Enduroland facility at Adstone, Northampton was almost perfect for round eight of the series.

Following on from his impressive victory at round seven, Husqvarna’s Alex Salvini was again the rider to beat at round eight. Beginning to truly enjoy the drier conditions, Salvini soon took control of proceedings and headed the Elite class by the end of lap two. Setting a blisteringly fast pace throughout the remainder of the day, the stylish Italian secured victory by almost 90 seconds.

“I’ve loved very minute of my time here this weekend,” commented a delighted Salvini at the end of round eight. “The conditions were much better today and I was able to push very hard. I felt much more comfortable on the bike and was able to improve my times during the day. I’ve really enjoyed this type of racing – it was a lot of fun and I hope to return again as soon as I can.”

KTM’s Tom Church found the course more to his liking at round eight and immediately began to set a strong pace. Fending off a hard challenge from Daryl Bolter (KTM), Church eventually beat Bolter by seven seconds after over one hour of racing. Setting the fast time on the opening lap of the morning Bolter slipped back to finish third.

Hoping to match his runner up result from round seven, Electraction TM’s Jordan Rose saw his chances dashed with a mechanical problem during the second special test. Fighting his way back through the order, Rose claimed fourth - finishing five tenths of second behind Bolter. Husaberg’s Si Wakely put in a strong ride to place fifth.

Gas Gas’ Danny McCanney recovered strongly from a slow start to his morning to record his fourth win of the season in the hotly contested Under 23. Trailing class leader KTM’s Jonny Walker throughout the majority of the day, McCanney capitalised on a crash by Walker during the final lap of the weekend to claim the win.

After making an impressive start to his day, Walker looked certain of winning round eight. However a costly crash on the last lap pushed him back to second. Round seven winner Alex Rockwell was unable to match his winning pace at round eight. Fighting off the effects of a heavy cold, the Manxman settled for third.

Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland again claimed fourth while KTM’s Lewis Belfield rounded out the top five.

Securing his eight victory of the season, KTM’s Steve Holcombe also became the first BSEC champion of 2012 as he wrapped up the Under 19 championship. Heading his class from the beginning of the day, Holcombe steadily stretched his lead with each lap to comfortably top his class.

Placing fifth on day one, Kawasaki’s Joe Wootton found the improved conditions much more to his liking at round eight to place second. Husqvarna’s Robert Johnson repeated his previous performance from round seven to finish in third. Ending his day 36 seconds behind Johnson, KTM’s James Dent claimed fourth, while Stuart Owen (Yamaha) rounded out the top five.

In the 125 Youth Cup, KTM’s Brad Freeman continues to be the dominant force in his class. Placing over four minutes and 26 seconds clear of second place, Freeman easily claimed his fourth win of the season while ending his day 15th overall.

Behind him the battle for the remainder of the podium positions raged between Lee Sealey (KTM) and the TM duo of Josh Gotts and Luke Flack. Beating Gotts by just five seconds, Sealey ended his day in second. With Gotts having to settle for third, Flack placed nine seconds behind his fellow TM rider to finish fourth. Husaberg’s Scott Altass rounded out the top five.

Tyson Maytom Jones (Husaberg) made it two wins from two starts in Enduroland to top the Expert standings. Leading the way from the first test of the morning, the Husaberg rider comfortably placed ahead of KTM’s Richard Ely to extend his lead in the championship to 12 points.

Unable to consistently match the pace set by Maytom Jones, Ely ended his day second overall. Ending lap one in a distant fifth, Oliver Hart (KTM) improved throughout the day to claim third. Daniel Beaven (KTM) rapidly improved on his result from round seven to place fourth in class at round eight. Gas Gas’ Jack Lee ended his day in fifth.

In Clubman TM’s Gethin Francombe faced his toughest challenge yet as he narrowly beat Christopher Lappin (TM) by five seconds to claim the win. With the duo separated by less than once second entering the seventh and final test, Francombe set his fastest time of the day to secure victory.

Lappin missed out on his first win of the series to finish second while Richard Topping (Honda) completed the top three. Martin Rowan (KTM) and Jason Corden (KTM) placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Claiming her eight consecutive victory of the championship, KTM’s Jane Daniels became the first Women’s champion of the BSEC. Immediately setting a fast pace during the early morning tests, Daniels rode a mistake free day to end her weekend as champion while setting times that would also place her at the front of the Clubman class.

Katie Walker (KTM) benefitted from a non-finish of Rhian George (KTM) during the penultimate test to finish second. George recovered to finish third while Liz Childerely (Gas Gas) was fourth with Stephanie Rowe (AJP) fifth.

The Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship concludes with rounds nine and ten at Canada Heights on June 16/17.