ROUND Eight of the DEP British Two Stroke Championships took place at Blaxhall, on Sunday, with almost 200 riders competing in the 15-race programme.The series, designed to revive the once-popular Two Stroke bikes, has attracted several top national riders in both 125cc and 250cc classes, and former Grand Prix star Mark Eastwood was in great form, winning all three of his races to increase his lead in the 250cc Championships, with two rounds remaining.

ROUND Eight of the DEP British Two Stroke Championships took place at Blaxhall, on Sunday, with almost 200 riders competing in the 15-race programme.

The series, designed to revive the once-popular Two Stroke bikes, has attracted several top national riders in both 125cc and 250cc classes, and former Grand Prix star Mark Eastwood was in great form, winning all three of his races to increase his lead in the 250cc Championships, with two rounds remaining.

The veteran Eastwood was battling in all three races with 1990s' British youth champion Ryan Voase, and the crowd were treated to some fast, close racing on a tough but well prepared circuit.

Voase led the first race, but Eastwood soon took over and, despite a strong challenge from Voase, took the win.

Voase made a mistake on the last lap and Stuart Flockhart took advantage to seize second place and relegate Voase to third.

Local star Aston Bird, riding a Two Stroke for the first time in a long time, rode well to finish fourth, while Dave Willett, lying second in the series, had a tremendous ride. After crashing at the start, he charged through the 40-strong pack to claim sixth place.

Race two saw Eastwood and Voase swapping the lead, with Eastwood racing clear towards the end of the 20-mintue contest.

Voase was second and a great ride from Bird saw him finishing in third place, ahead of Willet and Flockhart.

Eastwood was in great form in race three, but Voase and Bird were in contention as the leading trio set a fast race.

Unfortunately, Bird's KTM machine broke down, when he was running a good overall position. Willet and Flockhart finished third and fourth.

The 125cc Championship races saw series leader Willet having an indifferent day.

Basildon rider Steve Bixby took an easy win, with Willet having to race through the pack to finish in fifth place.

Second was Matt Ridgeway, with Windsor teenager Jack Brunnell in third ahead of veteran Jon Pettitt.

Willet took the win in race two, from Brunnell and Pettitt, with Irish rider Stuart Edmonds in fourth position.

Pettit became the third winner in the 125cc class, taking victory in leg three, while Willet retained his series lead with second place, finishing ahead of Edmonds, Brunnel and Bixby.

Blaxhall results

250cc Expert Overall: 1 Mark Eastwood (Honda), 2 Ryan Voase (Kawasaki), 3 Stuart Flockhart (Yamaha), 4 David Willet (Honda), 5 Lewis Rose (Yamaha), 6 Andre David (Suzuki).

Heat Winners: Eastwood.

250cc Juniors Overall: 1 Rick Lethaby, 2 Eddy Carr, 3 Alex Smith, 4 Adam Wheeler, 5 Sam Beddows, 6 Darren Marklove.

Heat winners: Martin Waymark, Warren Clifford, Piers Waddington.

125cc Expert Overall: 1 Jonathan Pettitt (TM), 2 David Willet (Honda), 3 Jack Brunnel (Yamaha), 4 Steve Bixby (KTM), 5 Stuart Edmonds (TM), 6 Matt Ridgeway (Suzuki).

Heat Winners: Bixby, Willet, Pettitt.

125cc Juniors Overall: 1 Lewis Toombs, 2 Adam Reynolds, 3 Paul Shires, 4 Sean Stevens, 5 John Butler, 6 Warren Field.

Heat Winners: Jared Pickford (2), Antony Healey.