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British Championship

Cancelled: 2020 MXGB

2020 MXGB series has been cancelled.

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Although this is a great weekend for motocross, with the return of Grand Prix racing in Latvia, some bad news has filtered in from the United Kingdom. The 2020 ACU British Motocross Championship has been cancelled. Official communication is below.

Press Release

The light that was shining at the end of the tunnel has sadly diminished to an ebbing glow which has continued to fade day-by-day.

The incredibly difficult decision has been taken by the ACU Motocross Committee during an evening video conference held on 07 August to sadly cancel the ACU British Motocross Championship for this year. As previously notified, all guns were blazing for an emphatic season opening double-header event (the first time in ACU British motocross history) over the August bank holiday weekend at Foxhill, but despite the best efforts of all concerned and five weeks of continued negotiations the permission of the local authorities and the local police has not been granted.

Along with “unprecedented times,” the other well used word is “perception” and with Swindon now ranked in the top-ten areas where the coronavirus rate of infection is on the increase. To hold a motorcycle sport event in an area where the infection is increasing would show motocross in a particularly bad light. Moving on from Foxhill, Woodbridge MCC, voted as best organiser of the British Motocross Championship several times in the last few years, received a letter from their local authority on Friday stating that “it would be unlikely that permission would be granted” for their proposed event and the championship finale planned for September 27. Within this document the local authority highlighted images seen on social media of public and competitors at a recent motocross event held outside of the ACU jurisdiction, blatantly ignoring social-distancing measures and not wearing face protection, effectively ignoring UK government guidance.

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Bavo Swijgers

Steve McCauley (Chairman of the ACU Motocross Committee): “Despite our best efforts and those of our organisers, it would appear we have been thwarted by a combination of factors that have put a stop to the British Championship. We did look at running championship events without spectators, but Foxhill has already been stopped with or without spectators. The final round at Blaxhall looked incredibly unlikely and in the ‘cold light of day’ it cannot be ignored that for the organiser of a British Championship event there would be a minimum outlay of £30k, which is a big ask for any organiser to commit to considering the event may be quashed outside of their control.

“We explored every option in and outside of the sport to financially “prop up” these rounds, but sadly we simply could not meet the required targets. Incredibly disappointing, but given the current picture of localised increases in infection throughout the British isles, also, with several European countries also seeing significant increases in infection rates our international riders could be subject to two weeks isolation as they return from international competition meaning they would not be able to compete at a British championship round. The decision to cancel was not taken lightly but, given the overwhelming circumstances, was the right decision to make.

I can and will say though, with some determination, that we will be back next year, better and stronger along with a new format for the 2021 series. I would like to give my thanks to everyone for their patience and to the organisers for stepping into the breach, and going above and beyond the call of duty to try and save the championship during these difficult times. I would also like to offer my sincerest apologies for all those who were as we were looking forward to a stacked MXGB ACU series this year. We are all absolutely gutted that we cannot deliver our championship for 2020.”

That’s it for 2020, despite the acuity of our organisers, the weeks of negotiations and hundreds of man hours trying to make this happen. The external factors beyond our control have regrettably worked against the British Championship. Furthermore, and something which is understandable, the local authorities have to do what they think best, alongside their regional police forces to keep the local populous safe within their areas and they can only base that on the evidence to which they have been made aware of.

Bring on 2021.

Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Bavo Swijgers

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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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Arenacross

Injury Update: Tommy Searle

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Dirt Store Kawasaki star Tommy Searle has disappointingly been ruled out of the Belfast Arenacross due to a thumb injury suffered in the first round in Manchester. Here’s the post below.

More to follow. But in the meantime, we wish him all the best for his recovery.

Lead Image: Dirt Store Kawasaki

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British Championship

Apico Veterans are seeing red for VMXdN Foxhill 2024

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With the annual VMXdN Foxhill firmly entrenched as being the “must attend” meeting of the year, it’s no surprise that we are already getting news of team entries! The annual event takes place at the iconic Wiltshire GP circuit on the August bank holiday weekend (22nd-26th). 


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Supplied


The first team to be announced in the Wright Engineering National Team Race is the Apico Veterans Squad, these guys are back in force and plan on building on their 2023 success. Now on Honda’s in their assault on the British Championships, we have heard they are building a few 2002 CR 250s as we speak in preparation for the event! 

Returning to the squad is Northern Ireland’s Martin Barr. Having raced all around the globe in an illustrious career which has so far spanned three decades. Barr has raced for world-leading manufacturers Husqvarna, KTM, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha since turning pro after leaving school at 16, having already won the British 85cc Supercross Championship in 2001. The victories and podium finishes have continued throughout Barr’s career with a win and second-place finish in the Red Bull Pro Nationals championships, a second and third place in the MX1 British Championship and 2nd in the MX1 Red Bull Pro Nationals Championship over the years. Barr has also represented Ireland 14 consecutive times at the MXON. A top geezer and first-class MX rider.

Jamie Law also returns to the Apico Veterans Team. JLaw, as he’s known around the paddock, is one of the most experienced riders at British championship level and a two-stroke advocate. After 20 years as a professional MX racer, JLaw took his first-ever British championship podium in 2022 at the series opener. He is still competing and training like he always did. 

The new boy on the squad is youngster Tom Grimshaw who raced in the 2022 and 2023 event but is now on the Apico Honda squad for his “day job”. After a successful youth career racing British, EMX & World Championships, Tom moved into the adults ranks again racing British Championships, EMX & World Championship events, proving due to his size he’s more of an open class guy as he can certainly ride one properly and his aggressive style will be a thing to watch on a 250 2-stroke in the natural valleys of the Wiltshire Grand Prix circuit. This team is packed full of talent and experience to boot, and they will take it to the line when the gate drops.

Dylan Brown will take the role of team manager. “I know the guys very well and for the most part the riders are Vets’ age. We’ve always had a family vibe at the racing with Martin & Jamie for many years and Tom fits right into our program. It’s a brilliant weekend to have the guys together with their families for a weekend of fun once again (though it does get serious when race time comes around lol). Again, we plan on raising money for the Air Ambulance, so please swing by the pits to view some special bikes on display under the Apico tent.”

“Team entries are coming in thick and fast and some of the names already signed up will be keeping our marketing department busy in the coming months.” Dave King – Promoter VMXdN Foxhill

With the increasing attendance in its first two years of the VMXdN Foxhill festival held over the August Bank Holiday weekend has advised that they must cap the quantity of camping slots available due to space and safety limitations, and they are anticipating that all camping passes will be sold prior to the event opening. 

“Last year we were almost at capacity and with the increase already we are expecting to sale out prior to the gates opening on August 22nd” explained DocWob – Promoter VMXdN Foxhill. “We expect the 2024 event to be ticket only, so it’s advisable to pre book to guarantee your place, you certainly don’t want to miss this one.”

Tickets for the four day festival are available from: https://vmxdnfoxhill2024.eventbrite.co.uk

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