The delayed motocross season finally got underway here in Cumbria last weekend on the Route 44 motocross track at Haverigg.

Operating under MCF guidelines, incorporating rounds three and four of the club championships, it was the only motocross event in the north of England operating, which probably explained the record entry of around 350 race-starved competitors from as far away as Northern Ireland who descended on the South Cumbria venue.

Many competitors were of national standard level and would not usually compete at club events, but many were eager to try out their 2020 machinery before racing in forthcoming national meetings.

The national class 'stars' with more experience naturally did grab some of the top placings usually occupied by Furness riders, but on the whole the local contingent did well to hold their own against them.

Askam brothers Gavin and Ben Southward with Kirkby's Paul Coward kept the invaders away in the Over 30 C class races on Saturday, grabbing three out of the top four placings.

Coward took the runner-up spot with Ben and Gavin finishing third and fourth.

Schoolboy Jamie Keith, who usually dominates the Small Wheel 85cc class, had to settle for a fifth-place slot behind two national standard riders, following a heavy fall on Saturday.

After Saturday's racing by a record number of machines, the track did cut up pretty rough, but the machinery needed to regrade it failed on Saturday evening and many opted not to ride on Sunday.

Those who did, though, had another great day's sport in perfect weather.

'Team Southward' took the honours again in Over 30 C class events, with Ben taking the win overall and Gavin not far behind in fourth place.

At the close of racing, Gavin Southward now leads the Over 30 C class championship with Ben in fourth place,

Jamie Keith is fifth in his class and Ethan Brierley runner up in the Adult Under-30 class with more rounds to go. Rounds five and six take place this weekend.

* The planned circuit reunion planned for August 15 at the Hope & Anchor in Flookburgh is the latest victim of the coronavirus outbreak.

Main organiser Steve Morris had been holding off cancelling to see how the covid situation progressed.

However, there has been so much interest from former riders, sponsors and spectators wanting to attend, it would be impossible to maintain the present social distancing requirements.

The Ponderosa circuit at Flookburgh regularly attracted big crowds in its heyday and became a breeding ground for many riders who went on to greater things.

Multiple TT winner Steve Hislop and world Superbike champion Carl Fogarty are to name just a couple and of course our own Nigel Barton from nearby Bouth, who went on to win the Senior Manx Grand Prix.

There are plans to reschedule the evening sometime next year when hopefully social distancing restrictions will have been lifted.

* If you were one of the fortunate ones to get the six-month extension on your motorcycle MOT due to the coronavirus outbreak, and you are not already aware, the concession expires on Saturday August 1.

If your current MOT was due between March 31 and July 31, you could still continue to use it with the existing certificate for that period.

However, the DVSA have no current plans to grant the same extension period again after that date.

So, if your current MOT expires on or after August 1 and you've not been retested, you could be liable for prosecution if you get stopped for a roadside check.

It will be worth checking your documents before venturing out for a spin on your bike.

* I called in at MBR Motorsports earlier this week just in time to see Askam enthusiast Mark Wall's Classic 350cc AJS 7R being put through its paces on the dyno unit (from the social distance barrier the proprietor Mike Bibby had erected).

Being a predominately two stroke man, I've always had a soft spot for these single cylinder classics, having raced one a couple of times in the Classic Manx Grand Prix.

Barrow`s Mike Walker, whose exploits in the road racing world are well documented had just rebuilt the engine and had arranged to give it a session on the dyno unit to finish the final 'tweaking.'

Wall`s younger brother Jeff, the machine's regular rider, will be using it at various circuits around the country next year.

If it goes as well as it sounded, he`s going to have a great time on it.