The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship returns to action on March 16th at Landrake near Plymouth. 2014 is considered by many as the most competitive and exciting Championship campaigns in recent years with both the MX1 and MX2 classes wide open.
For 2014 the Maxxis Championship will see Scotland return to the line up with a new venue at Drumclog, along with three previous venues making a welcomed return to the calendar like Landrake in March, Whitby in June and Culham in July. Other long standing venues, Lyng, Canada Heights, Foxhill and Fat Cat Moto Parc make up the other four rounds.
When the gate drops for the first MX1 race at Landrake, there will be no less than four previous champions in the MX1 class. Reigning MX1 Champion Kristian Whatley and MX2 Champion Elliott Banks-Browne, will both go into battle with former champion of the MX1 class Brad Anderson and 2008 MX2 champion Shaun Simpson.
Reigning Champion Whatley will be keen to defend his MX1 crown and show everybody that he is still the main man in the Maxxis British Championship, but fellow reigning MX2 Champion Elliott Banks-Browne has moved up to the premier class aboard the Buildbase Honda and will be looking to continue his championship winning ways. While Grand Prix regulars Shaun Simpson and Jake Nicholls will be both being hoping to stamp their authority on the MX1 class. For 2014 Simpson has returned to the HM Plant KTM UK team who he won his previous British Championship with in 2008 and well also be looking to continue his strong form from the end of the 2013 season where he won the final World Championship Grand Prix of the year. Jake Nicholls returns to the championship in 2014 for the first time after a two year break from the championship, his return to British Championship racing is with a new team and in the MX1 class for his first full season.
However, in addition to the above there are plenty of other riders in the ultra-competitive MX1 class who could stand on a step of the podium at least once during the eight round series. Add into the mix Graeme Irwin who is making the move up to the MX1 class, fast improving Luke Hawkins, Shane Carless, Nathan Parker, Alex Snow and Nathan Watson on the new Husqvarna. Previous Belgian GP winner Gert Krestinov, returns to the championship looking for glory along with newcomers to the championship Pritt Ratsep and Yentel Martens who will both have to learn the tracks. More high calibre names include Ray Rowson, this time on Rob Hooper machinery who is making a welcome return to the series, and Lewis Gregory who has made the move from the 125cc two stroke onto the 250cc two stroke machine with the GL12 Racing Team as he prepares for the European MX300 class.
In the MX2 class Mel Pocock returns to the Championship after finishing runner up in 2012, this time Pocock will be riding for the HM Plant KTM UK team and start the season as one of the main favourites for the crown. Another hotly tipped favourite for the title is Matiss Karro, who has opted to compete on the smaller MX2 bike in the British Championship for 2014 and will be looking to continue his fine form of last season where he took a number of race wins and overall podiums after missing the opening two rounds through injury. Other major title contenders include last year’s runner up Steven Lenoir who has made the switch to Husqvarna machinery for the new season, Steven Clarke and veterans of the MX2 class Bryan MacKenzie and Neville Bradshaw who will both see 2014 as their big chance to claim Championship glory.
Other riders to watch out for include the fast improving Lewis Tombs, Jason Dougan, who is returning to the MX2 class after a few seasons in MX1 and Martin Barr who will start the season knowing he can run at the front. Along with the MX2 regulars are a number of up and coming youngster such as Adam Sterry, Ben Watson, Dan Thornhill and last year’s MXY2 Champion Robert Davidson.
The opening round of the series takes place on March 16th at Landrake, just outside of Plymouth and within 500 meters of the A38 trunk road. All the action will start at 9am with practice and qualifying, followed by the first race of the season at 12:15pm. For more information about the championship please visit
www.mxgb.co.uk.