With Great Britain hosting the second round of the FIM Sidecarcross World Championship – an event that can only be authorised and facilitated by the Auto-Cycle Union as the governing body of motorcycle sport in Great Britain – on 24-25 May, we caught up with Racing Manager and Event Organiser, Brad Skeates, to get his thoughts on the British GP weekend that lies ahead at Foxhill Motoparc.
Q: This will be the first time Foxhill has hosted a world championship event of any kind since 1998. What’s the significance of that?
A: “Foxhill is an iconic venue. It hosted the Motocross des Nations back in 1998 but hasn’t held a world championship event of any kind since then. So, to bring a GP back to the Wiltshire track after 27 years is a really big deal and I’m very excited to see it all come together after the UK didn’t host a world round in 2024.”
Q: What does organising this event mean to you?
A: “Sidecarcross has been part of my life since I was a child. My dad was paralysed in the sport when I was 18 months old and later ran the Ken Hall Trophy, so you could say it’s a sport that’s always been in my blood.
“After 13 years without a British GP, we brought the series back to these shores in 2023 at Cusses Gorse, but that land’s now been sold. Now, with the support of Paul Cook who is the leaseholder at Foxhill, and the passion and organising skills of the good people at Waterlooville Motorcycle Club, we’re looking to take the event to the next level at the Motoparc.”
Q: What can fans expect from the GP weekend?
A: “Saturday is all about some tough practice and qualifying sessions – I expect we’ll have 40 or more sidecars trying to make it into Sunday’s main races. But there will be a cut-off: only 30 crews will get through, plus two reserves.
“We’ve also got the EMX Quadcross European Championship joining us for the weekend as well. We hosted those guys in 2023, and as well as being incredible to watch, they also have a fantastic following. Quadcross is a great support series, and I know the fans will enjoy watching their racing.”
Q: What improvements are being made to get the Foxhill track ready for a world championship event?
A: “Paul Cook’s had six or seven machine operators up at the track for weeks, shifting thousands of tonnes of soil to get the track ready for the arrival of the world’s best riders.
“The layout we’ll use has never been raced on before. It’s a brand-new configuration, created especially for this event. It will create a totally new spectacle – and one that I think is befitting of a British Grand Prix event.”
Q: How would you describe the new track and the challenge it will pose for the riders and their passengers?
A: “It’s not going to be your typical British track – I think you could say it will be more like a French one. The ground is very hard packed, the terrain is very hilly, and the action will be set in a chalk valley. Some sections will be incredibly steep – you can’t even walk up them.
"I think the Prunier brothers – Killian and Evan – from France could feel right at home at Foxhill. But importantly, we’re expecting the track to test every competitor and whoever comes out on top will have earned their success.”
Q: What are the chances of British success at the 2025 Grand Prix?
A: “We’ve got some talented homegrown crews in the field, and I expect multiple British Champion Stuart Brown, his passenger Scott Grahame, and Mike Hodges and Ryan Henderson to be in and around the top ten.
“But I think we’ll be looking at Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard to be leading the British charge on home soil. They’re Britain’s best crew after finishing fifth in the world last year and fourth in 2023. They’re riding a WSP chassis with a potent Ppower Husqvarna engine. It’s not a factory setup like in the solos, but they’ve got top equipment and real talent. I know they want to finish on the podium at Foxhill and I think they have a good chance if things go their way.”
Q: How can spectators purchase tickets to attend the British GP at Foxhill?
A: “Tickets are available at the Ticket Tailor platform. There are lots of options available for entry on Saturday and Sunday, as well as tickets for weekend camping at the venue.”
Photos courtesy of Holm Media