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Michelin MX Nationals

Report: SJP Moto Husqvarna

Davidson shows potential.

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The second round of the Michelin MX Nationals saw the SJP Moto Husqvarna squad travel to the Lyng circuit for the second time this season, but this time with the youth riders in attendance. Dry weather leading up to the event meant the track was watered and prepped ready for action on Saturday morning.

The weekend started with the youth pairing of Lewis Wood and James Barker competing in the combined 85cc class. In the weekend’s practice and qualifying session both riders finished seventh fastest in their respective BW85 and SW85 classes.

With strong qualifying positions both were able to challenge for good starts and gain some strong results. In the opening race of the weekend, Lewis made a strong start and pushed hard early on to take fourth place at the flag. While, in the Small Wheel class, Barker finished in a solid seventh place. The second and final race of the Saturday programme again saw Wood start well, but a couple of small mistakes saw him cross the finish line in sixth place. Teammate Barker went one better than the opening race to claim sixth.

Sunday saw the 85cc riders complete their final two races of the weekend. In the third race of the weekend Lewis Wood once again rode a great race for fourth place and even set the fastest lap of the race. On the Small Wheel machine, James Barker continued to improve by taking a hard-fought fifth place finish.

Going into the last race the team knew that Lewis Wood had a strong chance of claiming an overall podium. After a good start Wood pushed hard early on, got himself into second place and onto the overall podium in second place. For Barker the last race of the weekend was tough, as he crashed on the opening lap and had to battle to recover to eighth place and sixth place overall on the weekend.

With two rounds completed Lewis Wood now sits in third in the championship in the Big Wheel class whilst, in the Small Wheel class, James Barker now sits in sixth place.

After heading out on the track Saturday evening for a practice session, both Rob Davidson and Tom Neal were out first thing on Sunday morning for the pro practice and qualifying session. After producing some good laps, Davidson finished the session sixth fastest in the MX1 class. Neal finished fourteenth fastest in the MX2 class.

The opening Pro race of the day saw both Davidson and Neal start in the mid-pack and move forward in the opening laps. Neal was riding really well and running in sixth in the MX2 class for most of the race, until a small mistake saw him drop the bike and slip to tenth before recovering to ninth at the flag. After a bad jump out of the start, Davidson was caught up in some traffic on the opening laps and was able to pull through to tenth in MX1.

In the second race both riders were looking to prove a point and improve their results. When the gates dropped Davidson fired up the straight to the head of the field and quickly settled into fourth place, while Neal was inside the top ten of the MX2 class and pushing hard during the opening laps. As the race progressed Davidson was looking good for a strong result, but he was hit by another rider and hurt his ankle. That forced him to retire from the race and seek medical advice. Meanwhile Neal was continuing the battle hard in the MX2 class and rode well to finish eighth for seventh overall on the day.

Rob Davidson: “I had a decent start to the day at Lyng really, but I had been struggling with my set-up around this track. We worked hard as a team to make it better and we kind of found a setting, but just didn’t get much luck with the racing. In the first race I didn’t get the best start and then was in all the trouble on the first laps, which really put me down the results to end tenth in MX1. That is really not where I want to be.

“Going into the second race I wanted to get a much better start and that is what happened, then I dropped a couple of places. I was having a really good race until I suffered a collision with another rider, which forced me to DNF the race. There was nothing I could do, so I really want to work hard and get back to the results I know I can get. Big thanks to everyone for the hard work behind the scenes and making it happen week in, week out.”

Tom Neal: “A positive day for me, although qualifying in fourteenth in the MX2 class wasn’t an ideal gate pick. I had average mid-pack starts, but was able to put in good first few laps in both motos. In the first race I was running sixth in MX2 for most of the race, until a stupid mistake saw me just tuck the front on a turn and dropped me back to tenth. I then pulled back to salvage a ninth in that one.

“Then in race two I got another okay start, but had a good first few laps. That allowed me to make some passes and settle in. I lost two positions towards the middle of the race, which I wasn’t happy with, but some guys also crashed out so that put me in eighth. Finishing seventh overall on the day is a massive step forward for me though, as it is my first top ten in a professional race. It proves my speed is finally starting to show. I’ve got a few more things to work on this week, but overall I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.”

Steve Parkin (Team Owner): “It’s been a good weekend for the youth side of the team. Lewis Wood has had a great weekend, getting second overall in the 85cc Big Wheel class, and James Barker is continuing to improve with each meeting that he does. Unfortunately we have had some bad luck on the pro side, with Rob showing good pace in the races and getting a holeshot in the second race before colliding with another rider. Tom has made some more progress this weekend, finishing in the top ten overall, so that is a step in the right direction.”

Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Elliot Spencer

British MX Nationals

£100,000 Reasons to race British Motocross with Nora Pro Championship

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Following the first few press releases, we are pleased to announce the upcoming payouts and prize money for the new series. We believe that the riders who risk everything to compete in what is arguably the World’s most exciting sport, deserve to earn as much as possible.

We are pleased to announce that the Nora Pro Championship will have a £94,500 payout over the six rounds for the riders and a further £4,200 in payouts for teams, giving the overall Championship a purse of £98,700.

Prize money for riders will be paid out per race, with two MX2 races, two MX1 races and one Superpole. Plenty of opportunities for riders to get rewarded.

Position Prize Money Per Race (5 races) Team Overall on the day
1st £500 £400
2nd £400 £200
3rd £320 £100
4th £260
5th £220
6th £200
7th £180
8th £160
9th £140
10th £120
11th £110
12th £100
13th £90
14th £80
15th £70
16th £60
17th £50
18th £40
19th £30
20th £20

The prize fund per event is £15,750 for riders and £700 for teams.

The total Prize fund for the six-round series will be an incredible £98,700 paid out to riders and teams in 2024.

The prize fund and the format we have chosen will make the event one of the most exciting series in the UK next year and attract some good riders from Europe to battle it out with the British riders. The racing should be fantastic to watch with riders receiving good financial rewards that will make the live streaming exciting for those at home watching these fun action-packed 20-minute plus 2-lap races.

News on title sponsor, tracks, teams, riders, entries and partners will be released as a priority.

The interest in the series so far from teams, riders and the industry has been staggering. For media and sponsorship please direct all contact to James Burfield – [email protected]

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British MX Nationals

The All-New Kawasaki KX450

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The KX legacy has created a long line of champions and Kawasaki’s drive to produce more has never faltered.

This year Kawasaki celebrate 50 years of Dirt Domination with the KX brand, so it’s no surprise to see a characteristically “full gas” approach to the 2024 MX season, with the much-anticipated announcement of the 2024 models.

Leading the 450 cm3 class charge is the awesome KX450 enjoying its first full-model change in five years, innovatively introducing features never seen before on a KX machine.

The all-new flagship race machine, the KX450 off road motorcycle, offers next level engineering and power to dominate the track. The 2024 KX450 benefits from a new frame and bodywork plus increased engine performance thanks to a symmetrically aligned intake and exhaust. Handling performance has also improved, with greater front-end feel contributing to improved cornering performance to complement the KX450’s acclaimed light, nimble handling and legendary straight-line ability. Aggressive new green bodywork offers improved ergonomics due to a slim, and smoother rider interface while upgrades for the coming season include premium Brembo brake components and ODI Lock-on grips.

In terms of tech highlights, the 2024 KX450 features for the very first time Power Modes and Kawasaki Traction Control, both easily selectable from switches at the left handlebar. Riders can quickly select from two levels (Weak, Strong) of traction control to suit conditions and preference. Riders may also elect to turn the system off. Using the Mode (M) button on the left handlebar, it is also possible to switch between two engine maps (Normal, Mild response) provided in the ECU.

Additionally, smartphone connectivity allows riders to connect with their machine to adjust engine mapping directly from their smartphones using the application “RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX” to adjust engine maps including fuel and ignition timing while maintenance logs are also available.

Adding new features, plus carefully selected electronic rider aids, has taken the KX450 to the next level and Kawasaki hopes that 2024 season riders will accelerate ahead of the chasing pack towards well deserved podium results.

With innovative and evolving features over the decades, we’ve learned what it takes to win and stay on top and the KX450 embodies this legacy to the fullest. The new 2023 model is available from December 2023, contact your local dealer today or visit kawasaki.co.uk to find out more.

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British MX Nationals

Carlton Husband and Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki take their first National Championship.

Carlton Husband wins the Michelin MX Nationals

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Carlton-Husband

It was a memorable weekend for Barry Moore and Carlton Husband, who earned their first professional titles for the team and rider, respectively. With the Michelin MX Nationals being reduced to just five rounds coming into the weekend, five riders were in a position to win the championship, and it was always going to be down to the wire.

Carlton would become the first Kawasaki Team Green rider to win the Michelin MX Nationals in the ten years the championship has been running, another first.

Husband, Brookes, Wainwright, Mitchell and Cole had one eye on the championship; this year, all five have produced some fantastic battles. First blood went to Carlton Husband in race one, who worked his way up from thirty-second position against the 450 & 250 combined to make the most passes. Carlton kept his composure to claim a fantastic sixth place in the 250’s in front of his best friend and England’s number one, Jordan Pickford. With all Carlton’s championship competitors finishing behind him, this set up Carlton nicely for race two.

State of play! 

That sixth place put Carlton one point behind the series leader and Carlton’s 2024 teammate Charlie Cole, with one moto remaining.

Everything to play for in race two Carlton gave team owner Barry Moore a scare when he lost the front whilst in second position. Hearts were pumping, but rival Charlie Cole retired on lap four, putting Carlton in pole position for the title. Now, it was a game of mathematics as the other three riders were still in with a shout of the title, and Joe Brookes was only two points behind. The next fifteen minutes would be the longest of Carton Husband, his family, and his team’s life, but after fourteen laps, Carlton would take the chequered flag and walk away with the Michelin MX Nationals MX2 title for the first time.

For Carlton to win a championship with his family and friends around him was extremely fitting. Like most riders, the family are paramount to the rider’s success and Alan and Barbara, like many parents, have sacrificed so much. For Barry Moore, a dream was achieved, and what made it special was Carlton, who has been on the team for six years.

Whilst the team reflects on winning the Michelin MX Nationals title this week, Carlton will be looking to secure a top-five position in the championship this weekend. In the next few weeks, Carlton will also be looking to secure the Scottish MX2 Motocross title in what could be a memorable year for the rider, team and all the sponsors and partners.

Carlton and Barry would like to single out the work of Chris Talbot, who has built a fantastic race bike this year for the team and kept all the bikes in great shape, not missing a beat.

Barry Moore – Team Owner

I’m so happy for Carlton and his family for winning that first National Championship. It is fantastic for the team, Chris, his mechanic and all the sponsors who help to make this possible. It’s the first Michelin MX Nationals MX2 title for Kawasaki, so I hope this will repay the support Ross Burridge and Kawasaki have shown in the team over the years. I’m buzzing for everyone involved, and it means so much to me with all the time, money and effort I put into the sport I love.

Carlton Husband – 2023 Michelin MX Nationals MX2 Champion

The weekend was such a blur, and I still can’t believe we went into it nine points down and came away as champions. It feels unbelievable. I had to graft in the first race, coming from last to sixth, but the second race was just a whirlwind. I have never been so nervous. I just tried to manage the situation with the help of Chris, my mechanic. When I came across the line and read the pit board message from Chris, the 2023 MX Nationals Champion, it was the best feeling I had had in motocross to date. To deliver for Barry and the team means everything. They have done so much for me; I’m so grateful for what Barry has done for me. I want to thank my sponsors, mam, dad, Leanne and my friends for

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