Now the dust and mud has settled, here’s what the 2020 AMCA British Motocross Champions had to say following their title wins.
Interviews and Images by Mike Wood
Luke Burton(Geartec Honda) AMCA MX1 British Motocross Champion
“In the end,2020 as turned out to be a fun race season thanks to Steve Harvey and all the AMCA team. I didn’t think we’d get racing at all this year so I’m buzzing to win my 5th AMCA British title and it’s made it that much better to bag it for such a down to earth guy as Paul Mason the Geartec team owner. There’s a lot of hard work gone in behind the scenes from everyone around me, from my fiancé all the way through to Paul Mason, Nick Owen, Timmy Alberts and Stuart Turner. I’d like to say a thank you also to Max Mx and VIP Practice tracks for letting me use their facilities in preparation for this season. This title is for all of you guys LB”.
Jamie Wainwright (Wainwright Plant and Haulage KTM) AMCA MX2 British Motocross Champion
“It’s been a strange year racing, we had our plans set to compete in the ACU British championship And the Bridgestone Masters but after everything being cancelled due to Covid, we decided to try and defend the AMCA MX2 British title. With 10 out of 12 moto wins and the top step on the podium at every round I would say I’ve had a pretty good year…. I’ve felt very strong and comfortable with my riding as well which has made me enjoy it a lot. It’s not the way we wanted to end the championship with Round 5 being cancelled but it is what it is and we will celebrate when we can but no complaining, it’s still a great feeling right now to get another AMCA title. The AMCA have done a great job to get the racing to go ahead this year and a big thank you also to all those who have has been involved with preparations of the tracks and running the meetings. I would also like to say a massive thank you to my family members, close supporters and all of my sponsors that have been there and by my side this year and past years. It really is much appreciated. . Here’s to 2021”.
Shane Carless (FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna) AMCA 125cc British Motocross Champion
“The 2020 AMCA British Championship was a weird one for all of us! I lost my wonderful Mother earlier this year so things have been very tough for me and that made me extra determined. This AMCA 125cc title was totally for her and I was going to win no matter what so that I could dedicate it to her!
“Our plan though was to try and defend my MX1 title but that didn’t happen as I dislocated my shoulder just a couple of days before the first round. Initially I had then made my mind up not to race at all this year. Mid-week prior to the Championship my FUS Team suggested that I could maybe try competing in the 125cc class instead. I had lots of treatment on my shoulder and it was feeling better every day so I decided to just give it a go and what a good move it proved to be as we ended winning another AMCA title! I have never had so much fun racing the 125cc with every position a battle for a lap or so!
“I just want to say a massive thank-you to Gareth and Anthony at Marsh MX, Mike Keenan of FUS and Steve Archer and his family, the amount of support I have received from them is unreal. They are always 100% behind me no matter what and it definitely wouldn’t happen without them that’s for sure. FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna Thank-you”.
James Lane (LRT Midwest Husqvarna) AMCA Vets British Motocross Champion
“Coming into the championship for 2020 I had done a fair bit of preparation with practicing a fair bit and at one point we thought that might be all we were going to do! With only a few races under my belt we headed to Boraston for round 1 on a super knarly, rutted circuit .
I felt good that day on my 350F having had alot of experience on the more technical tracks. I scored 1- 2-1 and got the overall which I was well pleased with for me and our sponsors. It could have been a maximum as I was leading the second moto too but a tip over cost me meaning that I had to come from last to 2nd which was great so I knew my speed was good.
“Round 2 we were at Long Lane which produced the same results 1-2-1. I was again leading the second race but my brother Simon passed me on the last corner, making up ground on me after having doubled the whoops which I rolled through.
“Round 3 at Warmingham and I knew Simon, Paul Burn and Jamie Powell would be fast. Jamie would be wanting to make a statement being the 2019 Vets Champ and having his first ride of 2020 but I knew I wanted to beat him straight up on a new Husky 350 which I felt I was riding better than the Honda. We went 1 1 4 which got me the overall and managed to beat all my rivals in the first 2 moto’s. Moto 3 was also going well, moving into 2nd reeling in Jamie good only to crash twice and drop back to 4th.
“Round 4 and a return to Long Lane was really wet. I decided to run my 2stroke which was lighter and more instant power but it proved hard to ride in the end as the track dried out. But 1-1- 2 score gave me enough points for the Championship win. Once again the last corner at Long Lane after the whoops I crashed whilst leading letting Simon through on the last corner that stuffed me for the maximum but I was happy with the overall!
“All in all at 42 years young I was happy with my riding and the great result for me, my mechanic Grant Reed and our team. I love helping Simon run LRT and I was pumped that me and Simon went 1 and 2 in the championship He certainly didn’t make it easy for me !!!!”
Kevin Rogers (Morris Oils KTM) AMCA Vets Over 50’s British Motocross Champion.
“Having not raced competitively in motocross for 15 years, my daughter Ellie wanted me to return to racing but as my wife was diagnosed with cancer and then passed away Oct 2018 that meant Ellie was dependant on me for all her care and transport. Motocross therefore at that time was just too much of a risk if I got injured!.
“However, once Ellie had passed her driving test that removed the dependency on me so I thought that I would now like to return and have a go at the AMCA Vet’s Championship with the hope of a top 10 position, never imagining getting on the podium or finishing top three.
After entering the series, I was informed that within the Vet’s there is the over 50s which as I am 53 I was in that one too. The first round at Boraston was such an eye opener, after the first race I almost collapsed with exhaustion, The second race I crashed and ended upside down on my head. but after this I managed to improve my bike fitness and went on to achieve my best results.
“Most pleasing was my podium at Long Lane alongside both Simon and James Lane. Back in 2002 I finished 3rd in the AMCA MX1 class which qualified me to represent the Country in the IMBA European series which was one of my all-time ambitions.
“This year has though topped that by achieving 1st overall in the over 50s Championship so at long last my other ambition has been fulfilled in being a Championship winner. I ride a standard KTM 450SXF 2020 which was purchased two weeks before the first round. I’m a privateer with support from the Shrewsbury based Morris Lubricants which I can’t thank Stuart Holloway enough for. They supply me with all my oil’s and lubricants.
“I must say the older I get the more I enjoy racing. I have had so much enjoyment racing with fellow Vet’s that I have not seen for many years and would like to thank them all for the relaxed and friendly reception.
“Also, I would like to thank all at the AMCA and the organising clubs for the hard work they put in to ensure the events and Championship was run.Here is looking forward to 2021!”
Joel Fisher (MRS/Suomy KTM) AMCA Youth 85cc Champion
“I came into the 1st round not knowing what to expect but after I scored maximum points I was really confident. Going into round 2 Yarin(Evans) was riding really well but I was on course for the overall again until I got a puncture in the last race when leading. That dropped me back to 2nd in the Championship.
At round 3 I managed to get all 3 wins at Warmingham and close the gap to be only 4 points behind Yarin so at Long Lane I knew I had to give it my all as we were uncertain if the final round at Brookthorpe was going to run. On the second visit to Long Lane I again bagged all 3 wins and was now crucially leading the Championship.
I cant thank everyone enough who has helped me this year, Malcolm Rathmell Sport, Suomy Helmets, Fist Handwear, OnesevenoneAB, AD modular, Tech4mx, Rikki Priest, ELoils, my family and friends and anyone else I forgot”.
