The roar of engines, the smell of fuel, and the sound of dirt bikes revving up, all of it came together this past weekend at Lyng for the Revo ACU British Motocross Championship. The iconic Cadders Hill circuit was the perfect location for the second fixture on the 2023 calendar as a mix of sunshine and showers would see the track evolve throughout the day for riders in every class.
The weekend started off with the 125cc and 250cc classes, and it was clear that there was plenty of potential in these young riders. Despite starting from 11th place in race one, 125cc championship leader Reece Jones worked his way through the pack to finish in an impressive fourth place in the combined classes, and first in his class. Jones’ biggest competition came in the form of the #326 Wal Beaney who put in a consistent performance in race two to claim the win and the overall, with Jake Walker hot on his heels in second place and Jones in third. The overall podium was a KTM lockout with Beaney taking the top step and Jones in second and Walker third.
In the 250cc class, rookie hotshot Billy Askew dominated once again, claiming both race wins to continue his perfect start to the 2023 campaign. To cap off a perfect day he also claimed the 24MX Holeshot and Kecks Fastest lap awards. Wildcard entry Bayliss Utting raced hard all day to apply pressure on the GTCI Revo Kawasaki rider. But it wasn’t enough to take away any points from the #441 who leaves Norfolk with 100 points after 2 rounds. Jak Taylor made his 2023 podium debut with an impressive third-place finish.
It wasn't just the young riders who were tearing up the track. The Stebbings Super Store Veterans Challenge saw the return of some household names who dusted off the racing gear to make a return to the historic Cadders Hill. Ex-British champion Carl Nunn and ASA United Gas Gas owner Lee Tolan made a return, but it was Aston Bird who turned back the years to claim a 1-1 on the day for first overall. Bird and Luke Mellows battled all day long for the overall but it was Bird that would take the top step, followed slosely by Mellow who finished second overall. Matthew White would claim third.
Moving onto the pro classes, the MX2 class saw American rider Jack Chambers wildcard at the last minute on the advice of his trainer and 2010 British MX2 Champion Zach Osborne. The Big Van World MTX Kawasaki rider taking the opportunity to get more bike time as he embarks upon his MXGP season. Fellow MXGP rider Isak gifting onboard the Stebbings Car Superstore powered by bikesure 426 Motorsport Gas Gas took off in race one, claiming the Kecks Fastest lap in the sixth lap. He remained unchallenged throughout the race, with Jack Chambers finishing in second place. Gabriel SS24 KTM’s Taylor Hammal worked his way through the pack to finish in an impressive third-place. Race two would ultimately end prematurely on the decision of the race director following safety concerns over a section of trackside fencing. The decision to red flag the race just over halfway meant that the race result was called after XXmins. Following a review by the race direction it was determined that Jack Chambers took the overall win, with Gifting in second and ASA United Gas Gas rider Bobby Bruce in third.
The MX1 class was highly anticipated, with 2022 champion Tommy Searle on his GTCi Revo Kawasaki ready to tackle the track alongside championship leader Harri Kullas, Conrad Mewse, and Josh Gilbert. The racing was intense, with the first half of race one being a cat and mouse chase between Kullas and Mewse. The Crendon Fastrack Honda rider looked faster in sections of the track but would ultimately fail to capiltaise, with Kullas remaining calm throughout to claim the race win. In third was Josh Gilbert who would race a smart race, having amassed a sizeable lead over fourth in the early part of the race.
But in the finale, Josh Gilbert captialised on this smart race one but storming out of the gate to claim the 24mx Holeshot before charging to the race win, finishing just a second in front of Conrad and almost a minute ahead of Harri. With the overall results in, it was Josh Gilbert who would claim the top step with his 3-1 scorecard whilst championship leader would claim the second step with the same points. the #426 of Conrad Mewse would round out the podium, ensuring a good day for the Crendon Fastrack Honda team.
Cadders Hill, Lyng once again proved to be a challenging and exciting track for the Revo ACU British Motocross Championship. Attention now turns to the next round of the championship at the world renowned Foxhill circuit in Wiltshire on the 14th May, where the Big Wheel 85cc, 125cc, 250cc, MX2 and MX1classes take to the track.