The Dirt Store ACU British Motocross Championship roars back into life at Schoolhouse this weekend.
With the battle at the top coming to an exciting climax in MX1 between Jeffrey Herlings and Conrad Mewse, this fascinating duel headlines an unmissable penultimate round.
For Mewse, he'll need to be at a level resembling his best to close the nine-point to the Dutch superstar, who just banked his 12th consecutive MXGP podium at Switzerland last weekend. Seeing as Mewse has raced MXGP at Lommel and Arnhem, he'll be feeling prepared for the scrap that awaits back home in the United Kingdom.
Relishing every chance he gets to race this series, Herlings’ recent comments illustrate just how much he’s enjoying racing this quality domestic championship, as he’ll be looking to keep up his sparkling form to triumph again. "It’s always nice to race the British Championship. It’s a lot of fun. The fans are really good, the tracks are really good. It’s always a pleasure to come to England," explained the five-time FIM Motocross World Champion.
Behind this duo, expect Josh Gilbert, fresh from a strong 20th overall at the Swiss MXGP, to be on it in his quest to continue building momentum. Bobby Bruce will be eager to back up his podium performance at Hawkstone with another strong outing too, as both he and Gilbert look to put their best foot forward for 2024 Motocross of Nations selection.
The likes of Brad Todd, Tristan Purdon, Carlton Husband, Tom Grimshaw, Jason Meara and Martin Barr will all be keen to rise to the occasion as well.
Meanwhile, the thrilling MX2 category will unquestionably be a major drawcard, for Dirt Store Kawasaki duo Tommy Searle and Joel Rizzi won't give an inch in their pursuit for glory after splitting moto wins last time out.
Given Searle's in blistering form having wrapped up the Fastest 40 title and won the VMXdN at Foxhill with Team GB, plenty of the focus will be on the popular legend.
“I’m really, really happy to win that because the class is fast this year – really fast. I’ve dropped down and some say I’m sandbagging, but I’ve made it harder work for myself. I thought it wouldn’t be quite as competitive as it is. You’ve got Cas Valk and Jack Chambers, they’ve come in, and Joel is riding really, really well. As are so many other riders,” Searle reflected following his victory at Hawkstone.
The ongoing feud at the top of the standings also includes the hugely talented pairing of Cas Valk and Jack Chambers, who will be doing everything in their power to come up trumps and better their third and fourth respectively at the previous stop on the calendar.
Billy Askew, Joe Brookes, Jake Nicholls, Dylan Walsh, Taylor Hammal and Alfie Jones certainly add to what pulsating racing awaits in the stacked MX2 class.
The many support classes such as the 65cc, Small Wheel 85cc, Big Wheel 85cc, 125cc, 250cc duly add to the entertainment on offer, with the 125cc fight between Jamie Keith and Josh Vail particularly one to keep a close eye on.
With the championship tussles entering the business end and there being a plethora of storylines to follow, Schoolhouse looms as an event not to be missed.