Preston Docks played host to a thrilling finale of the Dirt Store ACU British Motocross Championship, with SJP Moto KTM rider Josh Vail delivering a championship-winning performance. Heading into the final round, the SJP Moto team was determined to close the 15-point gap and challenge for the Youth 125cc crown, while teammates Leo Wilson and Jimmy Boxall aimed to finish the season strong in the Small Wheel 85cc class. Unfortunately, Harvey Collins was sidelined after sustaining a broken arm earlier in the week.
Qualifying Success Sets the Stage
In Saturday’s qualifying session, Josh Vail narrowly missed out on pole, posting the second-fastest time by just 0.006 seconds. In the Small Wheel 85cc class, Leo Wilson set the fastest time, while teammate Jimmy Boxall qualified in 14th place.
Saturday’s Youth 125/250 Dominance
Josh kicked off the weekend with an exceptional performance in the Youth 125/250 class. He secured a commanding victory in the first moto, leading by over 20 seconds. In the second moto, despite a poor start, Josh quickly recovered, taking the lead and pulling away to win by another comfortable 20-second margin.
In the Small Wheel 85cc races, Leo Wilson showed consistency, finishing 5th in the first moto, followed by two 4th place finishes in the next races. Jimmy Boxall also enjoyed a strong Saturday, finishing 16th, 11th, and 14th in his three motos.
Sunday’s Decisive Battles
Sunday’s final Small Wheel 85cc race saw Leo Wilson continue his impressive form, securing a 4th-place finish, which earned him 4th overall both for the round and in the championship. Jimmy Boxall finished 13th, placing him 13th overall for the round and 12th in the series.
In the Youth 125 class, Josh entered Sunday just 9 points behind the championship leader, with two races to go. After a challenging start in the first race, Josh surged through the field, moving into second place by the second lap. In a dramatic turn of events, his title rival, Jamie Keith, suffered a mechanical issue, allowing Josh to take the lead and win the race. The victory pushed Josh into the championship lead with a 16-point advantage heading into the final race.
Championship Glory Secured
In the last race, knowing a top-12 finish would secure the championship, Josh made a solid start, positioning himself within the top 5 and second among the 125cc riders. Maintaining his composure throughout the gruelling 20-minute moto, Josh crossed the line in second place, clinching the 2024 Dirt Store ACU British Youth 125cc Championship. This marks his second consecutive British Youth 125cc title and adds to his Fastest 40 125cc crown, making it a remarkable season for both Josh and the SJP Moto team.
Leighton Haigh, SJP Moto Team Manager, said:
“Coming into the final round, we aimed to finish the season on a high, but unfortunately, Harvey’s injury meant he couldn’t compete. For Josh, we knew the title was within reach, but the focus was on winning all four races and hoping that would be enough. Josh was outstanding on both Saturday and Sunday, and when he took the championship lead, he rode a composed final race to secure back-to-back titles. It’s a fantastic result for Josh, his family, and the entire team. We’re also proud of Leo’s performance, finishing 4th overall in the Small Wheel class, and Jimmy’s solid efforts to claim 12th in the series.”
“It’s been an incredible year for the team, and none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors and supporters. We are extremely grateful for everything they’ve done to help us achieve this success.”
Words by SJP Moto – Images by Image Rich Media
