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British Championship

Debrief: Tim Lightfoot

The latest on the 2020 MXGB title fight.

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With the 2020 ACU British Championship currently on hold, due to the coronavirus pandemic that is having an impact on series across the globe, all involved in MXGB are working tirelessly to make plans for the rest of the year. Tim Lightfoot, the championship manager at MXGB, provides some insight into the work that is going on behind the scenes below.

MX Vice: The COVID-19 situation is much bigger than our sport, but how is it trying to make plans for the 2020 ACU British Championship? Is it possible to plan at this stage or is it a case of waiting for the go ahead from the powers that be?

Tim Lightfoot: As we have all seen, COVID-19 is a global pandemic that is devastating public health and economies around the world. The ACU is continuing to monitor the situation closely in the UK and in line with government advice has suspended motorcycle events until the end of May.

From MXGB’s perspective the difficulty we face is the uncertainty of not knowing how long the restrictions will be in place. We have seen the first five rounds of the adult championship affected by bad weather and then coronavirus, that said we remain hopeful and 100% committed to restarting the championship if and when the situation in the UK allows.

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Ray Archer

Whilst it is a case of waiting, we have been planning and working through different scenarios. One of our considerations is to monitor changes in the MXGP calendar, as the world championship continues to be badly affected by the coronavirus situation internationally. We have MXGP teams racing in the ACU British MX Championship so want to avoid clashing with those dates.

During the lockdown we have been speaking with all of the major manufacturers involved in the MXGB series as well as team managers, riders and organisers to get their thoughts and input. This has been a very constructive process and one that has given some great feedback that is informing our thinking. We are all affected by the coronavirus and everyone involved in the series is working together in trying to get the best possible outcome.

Is there potentially an option where new tracks will have to be looked at, due to a clash of dates, or is it fairly certain that the current eight venues will all be in the mix to host an event when we can go racing again?

It is too soon to say for sure how many rounds will be run, and which venues will feature in a rescheduled championship. We are talking with all of the organisers involved in the original championship to establish if they can run on a new date. This may not be possible in some cases so we are exploring different options for when we can start racing again.

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Ray Archer

Is there a certain number of rounds that would be considered the minimum that’s needed in order to call this a championship? Are there any wild ideas being floated around to help get the number of rounds as high as possible?

This is also something we are discussing with our series partners and if a summer restart is possible then we would want to reschedule at least 50% of the championship. We have been looking at the options around extending the championship to the end of October, which is probably as late as we can run before daylight and weather become a factor. We are of course looking at how we can get the maximum number of rounds in the time available and also ways to increase the race count, such as the possibility of introducing a double header.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor the situation and discuss our options with the various partners involved in the MXGB championship. For now, the most important thing is for everyone to stay safe and well.

These unprecedented times have obviously forced everyone to adapt and it sounds like MXGB has already done that by shelving the races that are combined with the BYC series for 2020. What was the reason for that?

Yes, we have been considering what is in the best interests of both the adult and youth British Championships and the remaining rounds of this year’s adult championship will now be standalone events and not incorporate the British Youth Championship. This decision was taken in consultation with the manufacturers, team managers and riders with the aim of putting on the best possible adult championship at the best available venues. Likewise, we feel this will give the BYC more options and we are working with Gareth Hockey and his team to ensure the best possible standalone British Youth Championship.

Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Ray Archer

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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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