The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship returns to action on March 16th at Landrake near Plymouth. 2014 is considered 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, there will be no less than four previous champions battling for the title.
Reigning Champion Whatley will be keen to defend his MX1 crown while fellow reigning MX2 Champion Elliott Banks-Browne has moved up to the premier class aboard the Buildbase Honda.
Also riding for the Buildbase Honda team is Brad Anderson, who will be looking to hit the ground running on Honda machinery. While Grand Prix regular Shaun Simpson will be hoping that the return to HM Plant KTM UK will see a continuation of the form that saw him win the final Grand Prix. Returning to the championship is Jake Nicholls following a two year break from the championship.
However, in addition to the above there are plenty of other riders who could stand on the podium at the end of the day. 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 along with newcomers to the championship Pritt Ratsep and Yentel Martens. More high calibre riders include Ray Rowson and Lewis Gregory who has made the move up to 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 starts 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 and will be looking to continue his form of last season, where he took a number of race wins and overall victories. Other major title contenders include last year’s runner up Steven Lenoir who has made the switch to Husqvarna 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, and Martin Barr. 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.
Landrake also marks the opening round of the Veterans class, where reigning champion Phil Mercer will be looking to make it a hat trick of titles. Mercer will once again face tough competition from the likes of Greg Hanson, Brian Wheeler and newcomer to the series Rick Du-Feu.
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. Admission prices are £20 for Adults £5 for Children under 15 and Children under 5 are Free, Family Tickets are available at £45.
For more information about the championship please visit
www.mxgb.co.uk.