It’s the 2024 AMCA British Motocross Championship finale this weekend as the title hunters lock horns in another two days of action at Lower Drayton in Staffordshire. In this series, supported by Holab Concepts and Joov Sports Products, Lexi Emery (BWMA 85cc Girls), Grace Richards (BWMA Women), James Lane (Vets Over 40’s) and Matt Wright (Honda Cup) have already wrapped up their respective titles although there’s still plenty of glory up for grabs!
Words and Images by Mike Wood
In the Open class Championship race, Ray Rowson has led the charge right since round one with Will Hughes continually on his tail. Going into the Lower Drayton finale, Ray holds a 12-point advantage and it’s already certain that there’s definitely going to be a head-to-head between him and Will to decide who will get the gold. At present, Harvey Tillotson holds 3rd spot 30 points clear of Adam Wells. Despite not scoring a single point at both rounds three and four, Adam has done remarkably well to keep himself in the top three hunt, and whether he chooses to use his conventional petrol motor machine or electric-powered Stark this weekend, he’s sure to be right on it!
Young Mackenzie Marshall has been superb all season long and, during recent rounds, has gradually stretched his advantage at the top of MX2 to a nice 55 points. Chasing him, though, all the way has been the very determined Liam Gale, and although Mackenzie requires just another 46 points to bag the crown, you can be very sure that Liam will still be fighting right to that final chequered flag. With Mackenzie and Liam well clear in MX2, mathematically, the final series podium spot will go to one of the next six riders, who are Adam Nevitt, Samuel Bishop, Tim Burrows, Martin Jones, Logan Jay-Powell and Jordan Wright.
The fast and very stylish Jimmy Margetson has led the 125cc right from the off and needs to pick up just 35 points from the four Lower Drayton moto’s to thus confirm the title. Proving to have been a very consistent challenger throughout 2024, Luke Newman currently holds 2nd and is 44 points clear of Charlie Palmer in 3rd. Wyatt McGregor is the only other rider in this class who can now overhaul Palmer in the race for bronze. Over in the 125cc Youth class, leader Tom Goodfellow produced a stunning performance during round six at Monster Mountain to thus surge 34 points clear at the top, with Ollie Jewitt in 2nd and Linc Hasted 3rd. As it stands, Lewis Roberts and Oakley Kettle, the 2023 AMCA BW85cc Champion, are the only riders who can now overhaul Hasted.
As already stated, the superb Grace Richards has wrapped up the BWMA Women’s crown with still one round to spare so it’s now all about the battle for silver and bronze. With Libby Chatburn missing round six at Monster Mountain, Leah Rees-Evans has deservedly moved up into 2nd in the standings. Having had a great season, the diminutive Leah holds a 31-point advantage over Libby as the Ladies travel to Lower Drayton. If Libby fails to appear this weekend, Ebony Brown looks like the fast female likely to take full advantage and break into the top three. The BWMA Women have produced plenty of great, highly competitive racing in 2024, and top ten riders Hannah Jones, Amber McGregor, Caitlin Newman and Holly Williams, amongst others, will certainly be hoping to finish the campaign in style!
It’s certainly all going on in the AMCA BW85cc title chase, and this one could well go all the way right down to the final chequered flag of the season. At present, Sean Smout has just an 8-point advantage over Ryan Jackson, with Oakley Skinner, Jack Bullock, Daniel Sheppard and Jacob Ince still in the mix. Having led the BW85cc series most of the way, Jackson missed the Hawkstone Park round, so could that one event prove to ultimately be crucial in deciding the destination of the 2024 title? It’s also tight at the top of the SW85cc class, with just 32 points separating the top three of Alfie Pincher, Mason Brown and Jimmy Whiston. That trio is well clear of 4th placed Leo Whittle, so it’s over to that flying, dynamic trio to give it their all-in-four hot motos and decide the final destination of the SW85cc title!
With James Lane having already clinched the AMCA Vets O40’s title, this weekend looks likely to be all about the battle for silver and bronze. At present, Richard Meakin sits in 2nd, just a couple of points better off than Mark Swift. Over in the Vets O50’s class, Simon Lane tops the standings, 20 points better off than defending Champion Matt Ryder. The next best in this one is Brian Staples, a further 84 points in arrears.
Completing the 2024 AMCA roll of honour is the Honda Cup competition. In that one, Matt Wright has already wrapped up the series with Ricky Ryder in 2nd ahead of Mark Allen and Caitlin Newman. So, the scene is set for this weekend’s AMCA finale and if you would like to witness who will grab the outstanding titles then get yourself along to Lower Drayton. With racing both Saturday and Sunday, the circuit can be found just off junction 13 of the M6, local postcode ST19 5RE.
