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British Championship

Catch Up: Josh Spinks

Speaking with Spinks.

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Josh Spinks has had a turbulent season, which has included a team change, but things have really turned around in the second half. A successful showing at the final round of the EMX250 series, which runs alongside the FIM Motocross World Championship, ensured that this can be labelled as a breakthrough season. Spinks managed to post the second-fastest time in his qualifying session and then back that up with a fourth in moto one. What did he think of his weekend? Well, we tracked him down post-race to find out.

MX Vice: Obviously this was your first race in EMX250. I guess results were not necessarily the focus coming in? It was more about making a splash and getting your name out there? I feel like you have done that, so you must be pretty happy.

Josh Spinks: Yeah. Really, really happy. My first EMX250 ever, so just to qualify was going to be the main goal and then just get some points. But, yeah, it started off really well in qualifying.

Would you say that was the highlight? Obviously the first moto was good. Fourth is, I guess, better than you expected coming in, but I feel like qualifying really put your name on the map.

Yeah, it came as a surprise, really. I went for my first fastest lap and that came up as third, which is a surprise to me if I am honest. Then I went for another lap the second lap in qualifying and that was P1, which was held right until the last lap, and then I finished P2. I was super, super happy with that. I think that set the day up quite nicely.

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Josh Spinks was particularly strong at Blaxhall earlier this year.

MPS Images

Second moto obviously you could have finished on the overall podium. I don’t know if that maybe played on your mind entering the moto, but just talk us through what happened there.

I would not say in a negative way. I was actually really excited to start today and really try to get on the podium. I worked my way up to second in race two, which at the time was more than good enough for the overall win. I was not aware of that at the time, so I did not feel like I was riding with pressure. I just made a mistake at the base of the steep hill, lost all drive and could not make it to the top. That ended my race right there. Pretty gutted with that but, overall, I’m really, really happy with the speed.

When you saw the rain coming and the track conditions this morning, were you happy? I guess obviously everyone associates British riders with those conditions, so maybe it played right into your hands?

Yeah, nothing new to us. I wasn’t put off by it at all. Yesterday’s race was quite wet. Not as bad as today, but we sort of had a taste today and that went well. But, fortunately, I’m quite a strong build, so I’m quite strong on the bike. I was looking forward to it, really. It is just a shame it turned out as it did race two.

Why now? Obviously, we have had loads of EMX250 rounds in Europe this year. We are late in the year now, the British season has gone and there is nothing after this to necessarily lead into.

I suppose the timing worked for us financially. I started off with a team on a Husqvarna at the start of the season, which went sour. Then we went to sort of a privately-run thing and the budget is tight. I am not going to lie about it. We’ve been focusing on the British Championship and, because this is the final one and it is not too far away from where we are at all, it is not much of a drive. A few of my friends got together and paid for my entry. Just the timing was right for this one.

Have you realized now that this is kind of where you need to be? Are you gutted you have not done more this year?

Yeah, it is all about opportunity. I’d like to do every single round of these. Like I suppose I’ve proved this round, I can be fighting for podiums. But it’s all opportunity and, unfortunately, I’m not in the same boat as a lot of people who I race against.

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Spinks ended the Maxxis British Championship in twelfth.

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If you had a choice and it came down to doing the eight British Championship rounds or, say, five of these, what would you choose? What do you think would be most valuable to you as a rider and your career moving forward?

That is a tough call. There are a lot of teams about in this paddock and eyes on the races, so I think that plays into your favor. That is why I am happy that at times this weekend the results and speed was really good. I’d probably choose the European, just for the experience of riding with different riders and the track conditions are much tougher here than we have back home.

From what I understand, your team is kind of based around you. Not your team, as such, but you can lead the direction it goes, so next year are we going to do that?

Yeah, perhaps. We already spoke last night about maybe doing a couple next year. It just depends on my mechanic, because it takes him a few days off work and that obviously comes at a cost. If we can put it all together, we’ll definitely do a couple of rounds. We just need to figure things out and hopefully gain a bit more budget to support us through.

Does that mean you are going to be sticking with the same set-up, bike, group of people and have a bit of stability in your programme heading into the off-season?

Yeah. This will be the first year ever that I’ll be starting the next year on the same bike and equipment. So, definitely committing to the 250F and staying KTM. We have got good set-up as it is and we can try and build on that through the winter. So, we’ll stay with what we are on now and that should lead us good into 2018.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: MPS Images

British Championship

Bickers to supply UK market with Alpinestars

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This is great news for UK motocross dealers, who can now order Alpinestars Boots and Protection for the motocross and enduro community.

Full PR:
Bickers are pleased to announce a new partnership with Alpinestars, from 2024 Bickers will be a
newly appointed distributor of Alpinestars Off-Road range of MX, Enduro and Trials footwear and
protections.

Alpinestars has been redefining protection for motorcyclists ever since the company was established
in 1963. Commitment to innovation has led Alpinestars to become the world-leading manufacturer
of professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance
apparel, technical footwear, and helmets. Alpinestars understands that the best design and research
is achieved under extreme conditions. Their involvement in Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, World
SBK, AMA Supercross and Motocross, MXGP, Dakar and more has led to the creation of the most
advanced technical equipment for the racing world’s top athletes.

Bickers and Alpinestars will be working together in the UK and Ireland (via Bickers Dornan) to create
an industry leading integrated sales program, reaching the Bickers dealer network; carrying stock in
2 strategic locations in the UK and Ireland to ensure next day delivery on all items.
Stock is in the UK and available now, to see the range visit alpinestars.com or bickers-online.co.uk.

Chris Hillard (Alpinestars Communications Manager)

Alpinestars are pleased to welcome Bickers as a distributor of our MX/Off-Road range in the UK and
Ireland. With their proven record in offering next day service to dealers; we see Bickers as a logical
partner to add to our already strong network of Dealers and Distributors in the region. With focus on
offering keystone hard goods from our range; namely Footwear and Protection. Central to our plan,
inside July/August 2024 Bickers will also become an Official Alpinestars repair and service center for
MX Goods, with the aim of increasing efficiency for our UK/Ireland based racers and customers
moving ahead, and we look forward to developing this partnership.

Derek McMartin (Bickers)
“Bickers are extremely excited to be able to service and sell Alpinestars Range of Off-Road Footwear
and Protection and cannot wait to start offering these great products to our dealers”
To see what Bickers offer, please go to bickers-online.co.uk
You can visit the Full Range at Alpinestars direct alpinestars.com.

Picture – KTM Group

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Breaking News

NPC 2024 IS ON! All eyes are on Oakhanger.

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Oakhanger will host the first round of the NPC series this weekend. Gulf Racing Fuels, which will support the series for the next three years, will be in attendance. The line looks impressive, while entry lists are still being worked on. Starting a series from scratch is always hard, but trying to do that in a recession and with industry budgets at an all-time low is even more challenging. The guys behind the NPC have been working around the clock to make this happen.

MX1 and MX2 classes will provide some exciting racing with this at the weekend. MX1 will see Tristan Purdon, Brad Todd, Jamie Carpenter, Carlton Husband, Tom Grimshaw, John Adamson, Dan Thornhill, Chalie Putnam, and Aaron Patstone lining up. MX2 will offer some great racing with Charlie Cole, Charlie Heyman, Ollie Colmer, Ben Mustoe, Glen McCormick, Callum Mitchell, Syd Putnam, Ben Franklin, Harvey Cashmore and Liam Bennet all looking to get some hours in the bank racing.

Justin Barclay and Alfie Smith have produced a stunning track for riders to compete on. As I’m typing this update, more British riders are signing up, and they will be confirmed every day leading up to what will be a historical event. I say historical because I believe this series will go from strength to strength and offer one of the best championships in the UK and, hopefully, Europe.

The Acerbis is cancelled this weekend, so places at the NPC are filling up fast. There are four groups, and wildcards are still available in each group.

Entries for the event can be accessed here: https://nora92.com/event/nora-pro-championship-round-1/#tribe-tickets

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British Championship

Andrew Short confirmed for the 2024 VMXdN at Foxhill

No Short measures for Team USA

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The promoters for the annual VMXdN Foxhill have announced that former factory HRC, KTM Factory Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha rider Andrew Short will be racing at the legendary Wiltshire Grand Prix circuit over August bank holiday weekend (August 22nd-26th) as part of the American squad.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Supplied


Short has had a stellar sixteen-year pro career, during that time, he earned over 50 podium finishes and nine wins, he is also one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. One of his personal highlights was being part of the American Team that won the 2010 Motocross of Nations held in his home state of Colorado. 

After he retired from professional motocross at the end of 2016, Short then worked as a team advisor and brand ambassador for Factory Honda HRC before making a big transition to compete in rally racing and take on the ultimate rally race – the Dakar.

After a steep learning curve, he was able to become competitive in rally and even took his first win at the 2019 Rallye du Maroc, a leadup to the 2020 Dakar. He raced for the Rockstar Husqvarna team as well as the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha rally teams.

After a nasty injury while riding at home, he is now back to full fitness and bang up for the challenge that is Foxhill, the greatest 2-stroke event in the world. Short will race a 2002 YZ 250 built and maintained by the crew at DocWob. Team USA won the inaugural event in 2022 and finished 3rd behind Team GB and Team Northern Ireland in 2023. 

The race is already creating a huge buzz with new and returning legends being announced weekly, it really is a whos’ who of the sport through the golden heydays of the 90’s and 00’s era.

Labelled by RacerX magazine as “the Woodstock of two strokes” the event simply goes from strength to strength.

With ticket sales up year on year, the promoters have been blown away at the response to the event and are urging spectators to purchase tickets asap. Could this be the first outdoor motocross event in the UK to be ticket only? Camping passes will be capped at last year’s numbers as simply putting it – it was full!

Ensure your place at the most anticipated event on the British MX calendar by booking early.

Saturday, Sunday, Weekend and Camping passes are available at https://vmxdnfoxhill2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the VMXdN Foxhill news

www.vmxdnfoxhill.com 

www.facebook.com/vmxdnfoxhills 

https://www.instagram.com/vmxdnfoxhill/

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