Friday November 2, 2018 at 4:00pm
The 2018 Judd KTM British Youth National Championship Powered by Parts Europe and the Steve Benton Transport British Under 21 Championship seasons came to a close this weekend (October 27 & 28) on Weston-super-Mare beach where the series’ winners were crowned champions.
Hayden Statt, Ashton Boughen, Bailey Johnston, Jack Grayshon, Drew Anderson, Aaron-Lee Hanson and Rossi Beard took the 2018 ACU British Youth and Under 21 Championship titles in their respective classes with Hayden Statt, Shaun Mahoney, Bailey Johnston, Jack Grayshon, Drew Anderson, Aaron-Lee Hanson and James Mackrel taking the weekend overalls on the beach.
In the Auto class in the challenging sand, we witnessed some outstanding racing from the championship’s youngest riders. During the first day Hayden Statt was on the gas taking both moto wins, although the youngster was challenged hard by Robbie Daly, Lucas Lee and Joel Winstanley. Statt took the weekend overall as well as the championship, with Lucas Lee second for the weekend whilst Robbie Daly took third and third in the championship. Winstanley finished fourth for the championship runner-up position.
The Junior 65cc class racing was action-packed, especially for the front runners as Shaun Mahoney, Billy Askew and Ashton Boughen all took moto wins. Mahoney had the speed and managed to take both race wins on the Sunday, putting him on the top step of the podium for the final round for third position in the championship. Rounding out the top six was Billy Askew, runner-up in the series Kalvin Kelly, Ashton Boughen – who is this year’s champion after a strong and consistent season, Zane Stephens and Max Harris.
In the Small Wheel 85cc class Bailey Johnston and Wal Beaney were on the gas both taking two moto wins each over the weekend, as the overall went down to the final race. Johnston clinched the win and the overall, whilst celebrating the championship honours fresh off the back of his HydroGarden Weston Beach Race Powered by KTM victory last weekend. Beaney was second on the weekend and concluded his season runner-up in the championship, whilst Reece Ross took third position. Ben Mustoe was fourth overall at Weston, and third in the championship standings.
The Big Wheel 85cc class had some spectacular racing to watch between all riders and top runners; Jack Grayshon, Ethan Lane, Sam Atkinson, Alfie Jones and Mani Freyr Peturrson. Grayshon took his KTM machine to the sand with real determination to clinch three out of the four moto wins on the beach, and the youngster was crowned the class champion for 2018. Ethan Lane walked away with second spot on the podium and Sam Atkinson was third, finishing the championship as the runner-up in the series. Rounding out the top six was Alfie Jones, who was third in the championship, Mani Freyr Peturrson and Charlie Palmer.
Once again, the 125cc category provided some spectacular bar banging action throughout the weekend. Drew Anderson steered his KTM machine to victory and the overall championship honours after some close battles with Sam Nunn, Kyle McNicol and Preston Williams. With just two points difference Sam Nunn ended the weekend with second and Preston Williams was third. Williams was second in the championship, while Kyle McNicol, who had some unfortunate incidents on the weekend, was third in the series with his fourth overall.
In the Open Class we were again provided some very close battles between the riders to take the podium spots and the going into the final race of the weekend there was no clear winner for round six. Aaron-Lee Hanson was first and took with it the 2018 championship after an incredibly strong season, Josh Greedy was second for the runner-up position and wildcard rider Christopher Moore took a podium third. Alex Hudziak was third in the championship overall.
Finally, in the Steve Benton Transport British Under 21 Championship Rossi Beard, who won at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race Powered by KTM last weekend, and James Mackrel gave some spectacular racing for the crowd to watch in Weston-super-Mare. With no clear winner for the final round and the 2018 Championship going into the final moto, both Beard and Mackrel knew they had to give it their all to the chequered flag. Beard emerged as the winner, taking the championship by just two points, as Mackrel took second and second in the series, with Oliver Benton third on the podium for third in the standings.
As the season has come to a close, RHL Activities would like to thank all of its riders, families, sponsors, staff and partners for a spectacular year of racing, whilst congratulating all of the 2018 champions