THE big Ken Hall international motocross event is back at Langrish for its traditional August Bank Holiday slot - and one of the event's old favourites is back too.

Graham Beale from Lymington is riding in the MR Thumpercross round, for four-stroke machines, and many local scramble fans will remember him for his exploits over ten years ago.

He was ACU Southern Centre champion in 1988 and later became a leading contender in the British 250cc Champion-ship. Beale was runner-up in the South West Championship in 1991 and continued riding until 1995, finishing among the top five in many prestigious national meetings - including the Ken Hall itself.

Despite the fact that he wasn't a traditional four-stroke rider, he was lured back by press reports on the Thumpercross series last year.

He bought a brand new Yamaha YZ400F, never having ridden such a machine before, and to date has accumulated 131 points for a top-ten position in this year's championship.

Southampton company Martin's Rubber are sponsoring the series this year which has been a huge success.

It even included a round in Brittany with over 60 British riders involved.

Sunday's Ken Hall International begins at 11am at Langrish which is on the A272 between Winchester and Petersfield.

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