SUPERCROSS: Suffolk's inaugural Supercross meeting, at Foxhall Stadium on Saturday evening, was a huge success.Fans from far and wide flocked to the venue and a crowd in excess of 5,000 witnessed some exciting racing on the track, constructed from 10,000 tons of dirt during the past week.

SUPERCROSS

SUFFOLK'S inaugural Supercross meeting, at Foxhall Stadium on Saturday evening, was a huge success.

Fans from far and wide flocked to the venue and a crowd in excess of 5,000 witnessed some exciting racing on the track, constructed from 10,000 tons of dirt during the past week.

It was certainly a huge undertaking and, with the British climate, a risky venture for organiser Chris Louis.

However, the weather was kind, with glorious sunshine throughout the day no doubt helping to swell numbers.

Practice started at 6pm, with the first race an hour later and there was virtually non-stop racing until 10pm.

Local rider Carl Nunn, from Mildenhall, was the star of the show. He cruised into the final with two race wins and then saw off the challenge of Ryan Voase to take first prize of £1,000 in the main event.

Nunn was delighted with his victory, saying: "I really wanted to win tonight because it was a local meeting." He continued: "I love racing Supercross, and this stadium really is the perfect venue.

"The track was really good and held up so well, although the dampness in the air at the end meant it was a little slippery for the final. Hopefully, this will be made into an annual event and, if it is, I will be the first to sign up next year."

While Nunn made light work of his qualifiers, Voase ensured he didn't have it all his own way in the final.

The rider from Hull, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and had half a lung removed, flew from the start to take an early lead.

However, he made a mistake on the first lap, which allowed Nunn to burst past and, although he stayed with him for a number of laps, he couldn't regain the advantage.

He said: "I was confident I could do well here and, after I was passed, I still thought I could get back in front, although, in the end, Carl had more than me and I just couldn't keep up the challenge.

"I really enjoyed myself though and the track was cool with lots of different sections and lines. Hopefully, it will be held again next season and I can come back and go one better."

Between the adult racing there were two 85cc races and a freestyle jumping competition. Tommy Searle from Goyshurst was victorious in the Junior class, winning both races from Jamie Skuse. However, this category was not totally male-dominated with Laurie Squirrell, from Ipswich, finishing third overall.

In the freestyle event, six competitors thrilled the crowd with some absolutely amazing manoeuvres. This competition was judged by the fans with Mark Thomas getting the biggest cheer to narrowly win from Chris Birch.

Welsh-born Thomas has only been riding freestyle for a year after racing moto-cross for 19 years. He works with underprivileged children in Croydon, teaching them to ride motorcycles to give them an interest.

He said: "I regularly perform in freestyle events and also work with the Red Bull freestyle team, doing lots of freestyle demonstrations and shows around the country, which I really enjoy.

"Fans seem to love what we do and we are always getting approached about different types of jumps. Currently, there is a possibility of doing a jump over a partially raised Tower Bridge in London."

Speaking after the event, Louis was delighted at how his first venture into promoting had gone. He said: "It certainly couldn't have gone any better and I am really pleased.

"I would like to do it again next year but there is so much work involved in laying the track and so much to get through in one evening, that I would like to make it even bigger, possibly staging it over two days."