Thursday January 12, 2012 at 3:13pm
Look down the championship standings for both the MX1 and MX2 classes in MXGP and it will take you a while to find a rider with the Union Flag next to their name.
While the likes of Germany’s Ken Roczen and Holland’s Jeffrey Herlings have exploded onto the world scene recently, the same can’t be said for young British riders.
But Roczen and Herlings, while special, aren’t unique. We have youngsters in the UK who are equally as talented but the problem is that we simply don’t nurture them, nor do we provide the environment in which they can realise their true potential.
It's a problem that many are aware of, but few are willing to do anything about. But that's about to change.
In 2012 the British Youth MX Championship will be replaced by a new series, run by RHL Activities. The British Youth Nationals is a race series, make no mistake, but it's also designed as a series in which young talent can be developed and progressed to the next level.
Gareth Hockey, the driving force behind RHL Activities, is determined that the series will do more than just provide a place for youngsters to race.
"RHL Activities has run some big off-road events over the past ten years, including the Weston Beach Race and the British Motocross Grand Prix, but I think taking on the British Youth Nationals is our biggest challenge yet," declared Hockey.
"Why such a challenge? Because we want to return the championship to what it once was, a breeding ground for talented riders where they can earn their spurs before going on to win on the world stage."
"Here in the United Kingdom we don't really nurture young talent and it's this situation that we want to change with the new look British Youth Nationals. Which is why everyone who signs up for the championship will be automatically enrolled in the RHL Academy, with access to a whole host of professional training and advice."
But the British Youth Nationals isn't just aimed at those youngsters looking for a career in racing; the series will also be structured to support those that just want to race. For fun!
"I truly believe that motocross should be inclusive and not exclusive, which is why we've opened the RHL Academy up to all competitors. Whether you're looking to improve your skills ready for a professional career, or simply to improve your racing, the RHL Academy is there for you."
One of the main problems facing youngsters as they graduate from youth to senior classes is one of cost, regardless of how talented a rider is. Contesting a full championship is expensive, prohibitively so for a lot of families.
Development shouldn’t stop when a rider graduates to the senior ranks, especially if that rider, with a bit more help and assistance, has the potential to eventually represent the United Kingdom on the world stage.
"It's no good developing young riders and then cutting them loose to fend for themselves in the senior ranks," explains Hockey. "Which is why we're working to put in place a development team in the Maxxis British Championship. The goal we're currently working towards will see the top two riders from the British Youth Nationals graduate to the Maxxis British Championship, where they will ride for a season as part of an established team. It's early days yet, but I'm confident we can have this in place before we get the 2012 season underway."
But the British Youth Nationals isn't only about the riders; it's also about the families who sacrifice so much to allow their kids to compete.
"I want to bring the family back into the equation, making attendance at each event a more attractive proposition for the whole family, not just the riders. We'll be doing this by reintroducing facilities specifically for the non-riding members of the family, to ensure that they also have an enjoyable weekend at championship events," concluded Hockey.
The British Youth Nationals will be contested over six rounds (with the exception of the Auto class), at some of the best motocross tracks the country has to offer. The series will continue to be the premier youth championship in the United Kingdom, and the only one run under the auspices of the ACU, with the winner in each class crowned as the British Champion at the end of the season.
The Calendar
Date Track
April 21/22 Wroxton, Banbury
May 19/20 Salters Lane, Wyham*
June 9/10 Wooley Grange, Newcastle*
August 4/5 Fat Cats Motoparc, Doncaster
September 8/9 Howton Court, Pontrilas*
September 29/30 Cusses Gorse, Exeter*
*Including Auto Class
Entry forms for the 2012 British Youth Nationals are available now by calling 01873 840640 or you can download them from the official website here.