The Arenacross Tour are excited to announce that one of the U.K’s most professional and long-established teams; Apico Factory Racing, have signed up to race the 2025 ACU British championship and World Tour.
Team riders Martin Barr and Tom Grimshaw will be lining up behind the gate for round one at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live Arena on Saturday 4th January to get down to business since their last AX campaign way back in 2015, and in Tom’s case for the very first time in his young career. For Martin on the other hand, it’s not his first AX rodeo;
“I’m really happy to be back doing the AX series again in 2025”, explained Barr, “After missing this year’s championship I was eager to get back to indoor racing to kickstart my season and what better way to do it than on my Apico Factory Racing Honda and with the whole team involved. I’m looking forward to having them there and giving it a proper go, so I’d like to thank Dylan for taking the team back to Arenacross. At the age of 37 I’m still loving it and can’t wait to round one.”
Unlike Martin, it will be Tom Grimshaw’s first taste of Arenacross and it’s something he’s excited about as it’s been on his mind for a while now.
“I thought it was time for something different and to mix it up. It’s been something that has been grabbing my eye for about three or four years. I’ve got this itch and I really want to scratch it. It’s a different ball game for me and I’ve never done anything like it before, but I’m only going to get better by actually throwing myself in the deep end. It’s going to be a learning process; I know that and I’m not expecting to set the world on fire, but the event is amazing, and I wanted to be part of it. Being under the lights and in front of that big crowd, there’s a lot of gains from it and it’s big for our sport here in the U.K. I made a push and spoke to Dylan and Anna about it and fortunately they were up for it and can see the value in it, especially with the new British based rider’s championship so we’re going to back the series as a team. I’m up for it and really excited to experience it and looking forward to round one.”
A sentiment that Apico Factory Racing Team manager and owner Dylan Brown shares;
“I’m happy we can take to the AX tour this year after missing the championship for a number of years. Matt and his team have always put together a fantastic series and it’s a perfect fit for us this year. I’m looking forward to seeing both Martin and Tom batting it out with some of the best in packed out arenas and can’t wait to get started, thanks to Arenacross for the invitation!”
With Arenacross owner and promoter Matt Bates introducing the new official ACU British AX title to the tour after 10 years and 100 action packed shows, he’s understandably happy for such and established British team to sign up to the tour.
“We’re all pleased to welcome one of the UK’s longest running and most experienced race teams to sign up for the all-new Arenacross British and World Tour Championships – and personally, I would like to thank Dylan (Apico owner) for seeing this great opportunity for his business and race team.
“Two great British riders at the sharp end of Motocross racing, and a team that’s entrenched across the entire off road and motorcycling industry – we all wish Apico Factory Racing the best of luck in our 2025 championship”
2025 Arenacross Tour Schedule
*Round 1 – 4 January, BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham, England*
Round 2 – 18 January, OVO Arena, London, England
Round 3 – 31 January, SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Round 4 – 1 February, SEE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Round 5 – 8 February, P&J Live Arena, Aberdeen, Scotland
*Round 6 – 22 February, AO Arena, Manchester, England (British Championship Tour Finals)
*Round 7 – April – TBA (Middle East/ International)
*Round 8 – 26 April, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (World Tour Championship Finals)
Words by AX World Tour and Images by Apico Factory Racing
