Connect with us
       

British Championship

Cancelled: 2020 MXGB

2020 MXGB series has been cancelled.

Published

on

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.

Enlarge

Site-Shaun-Simpson

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

Continue Reading

British Championship

Bickers to supply UK market with Alpinestars

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Breaking News

NPC 2024 IS ON! All eyes are on Oakhanger.

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

British Championship

Andrew Short confirmed for the 2024 VMXdN at Foxhill

No Short measures for Team USA

Published

on

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/

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

Continue Reading

Latest