Brad Smith is forced to bow out of the MTF squad in the international team race at VMXdN Hawkstone. The international teams are always the highlight of the event as the feature race, and with World Champion Stephen Clarke as team captain for the MTF (Millsaps Training Facility) alongside Anthony Rodriguez in the squad, they are sure to be in contention when the gate drops. However, third rider, American Brad Smith, has injured his shoulder in preparation for the defence of his Loretta Lynns title and sadly won’t be able to make it across the pond. Team manager Richard Clarke has his replacement on speed dial and instantly secured the services of South African born Neville Bradshaw to represent the squad. Nev has been a staple on the British Motocross scene for the last two decades and, through his impressive online presence, is still shredding and bang up for a battle; just ask Mike Brown, who Nev has kept honest on many occasions-especially on his favoured 125 over the years, giving us all much excitement.
With a venue change in 2026 to the picturesque Hawkstone Park circuit in Shropshire, the most historic and iconic circuit in the UK – the buzz for the VMXdN brought to you by high street giants The Range, wilko & Homebase is only getting bigger. With just over 3 weeks before the gates open, the news keeps coming thick and fast for the four-day motocross festival held over the annual date of the August Bank Holiday, 27th -30th August 2026
The weekend starts when the gates open at 12 noon on Thursday, August 27th. There is plenty to see and do before the racing gets underway, with the packed trade village, sponsor displays, open paddock, track walk (be warned that the hill is steeper than it looks), and of course you won’t want to miss the now-famous Show’N’Shine, a feast for the eyes of any two-stroke fan. Friday is also sign-on and scrutineering in the beer tent situated in the infield, so lots going on with the packed beer tent and artisan food village. With the gate dropping on the four blocks of racing action on Saturday morning, legends past and present from around the Globe will take to the line to go bar to bar just like the golden era of motocross.
The promoters have secured three further fields for camping adjacent to the circuit, but even this is filling up fast and expected to sell out before the gates open, so if you plan on camping, the advice is to at least get these passes booked prior to leaving; when it’s full, it’s full, and there is no further space available.
Spectator tickets and camping passes are available here: https://www.vmxdnhawkstone.com/buy-tickets and spectator tickets will be available at the gate, but if you are planning on camping, please secure your camping pass in advance asap!
