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[SORRY we have been gone so long!
Dropped an inlet valve which broke the piston and then smashed the cylinder barrel and crankcases, very messy! It`s a hard model to get parts for. It is made in Afghanistan!
So for a change, you have probably not read a lot of this edition first on Silver Bullet]
Contributed by: Ian Miles
World motocross star Josh Coppins has cruised into a comfortable third fastest qualifying spot for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Bulgaria.
The Kiwi-born racer blasted his Honda CR250 through heat blazing to 40 degrees with 50 percent humidity under a cloudless blue sky on a fast, open track on the outskirts of the town of Sevlievo.
In a 30-minute qualifying session of intrigue and fatigue, Coppins and his arch-rival, reigning world champ Mickael Pichon, proved the only riders capable of breaking the 1min 45sec barrier.
Coppins flew early to a 44.2 time while Frenchman Pichon pushed on to 43.4.
Then as the chequered flag came out Coppins’ German teammate Pit Beirer clocked a time of 44 flat to claim second spot on tomorrow’s grid.
“That’s really hot work,” commented Coppins as he sought the shade of his team transporter after the Saturday afternoon ride.
“This is the hottest GP of the year by far.”
The group outside 1min 45sec include two-time champion Fred Bolley (France), flying Finn Marko Kovaleinen, current 125 champion Jamie Dobb (England) now riding the 250 class for KTM and this year’s only GP winner besides Pichon, Norway’s Kenneth Gundersen.
Currently seventh in the championship, Briton Paul Cooper is set to slip back after pulling out with a groin strain before today’s qualifying.
The mid-summer arrival of the Motocross Grand Prix is big news in this poor but fast-developing eastern European nation.
Passing local peasant farmers on their horse-drawn carts, the grand prix of big trucks and semi-trailers arrived at Sevlievo two hours east of the capital Sofia to find a circuit which would be the envy of many worldwide.
The Bulgarian government has newly invested US$2.5 million for plush, modern trackside facilities overlooking the flowing hillside track, intending the grand prix to be a permanent fixture on the world championship calendar.
“It’s a bit complicated getting out here but the track is just awesome,” Coppins said.
“This is just the sort of circuit I like: fast and flowing with big long jumps … there’s room to pass and it’s quite safe for every rider, fast or slow.
“I’m out for a top result tomorrow.”
The expat Kiwi is seeking to consolidate his second position in the glamour 250 class at this seventh of 12 rounds in the title hunt.
Coppins, 25-year-old star of the Italian-based factory Honda team, has a handy break over his teammate Beirer.
On 116 points the native of Motueka has eight points up his sleeve and although he cannot afford a slip he has steadily built a cushion over his longtime rival.
More formidable is his bid to close on the 138 points amassed by 2001’s runaway winner Pichon.
And although the Frenchman has again won five of this year’s six races with apparent ease, Coppins remains the only 250 rider to stand on the podium of the past four grands prix.
Coppins’ fellow expat Ben Townley is an automatic qualifier as one of top ten in the hard-fought 125 class.
Today he was tenth quickest in his preliminary ride on the Big Five Vangani KTM.
After two runner-up spots so far this season, the 17-year-old is currently sixth in the championship and has been labelled the find of the year.
Coppins races at 11am Sunday local time, Townley four hours later. In a fortnight the racers contest round eight in Sweden before a month layoff.
