From Yorkshire to Staffordshire, after an enforced break the 2023 AMCA British Motocross Championship finally returns this coming weekend May 20th/21st as the Lower Drayton circuit hosts round 3. And, with it being a double header, there’s going to be plenty of points on offer for all!
Preview and Images by Mike Wood
Going back to the opener held at Fatcat and the new Open class started with a classic head-to-head tussle for top honours featuring James Dodd and Henry Williams. Following four frantic moto’s, it was FUS Marsh Geartec Husqvarna pilot Dodd who took the overall win on a 3-1 moto success verdict. With these two lads clearing off, Will Hughes was to get the better of Adam Wells, Luke Meredith, Mark Roberts and co for 3rd.
Young Wildcard rider Ben Mustoe was in stupendous form at round 1, winning all four MX2 clashes at a canter. With Ben though not doing the entire series, the top AMCA Championship contender home was the always consistent Rory Jones on his IDS Transport KTM with Howard Wainwright, defending Champion Shane Carless and Corey Hockey next best. After suffering a couple of big offs, 15-year-old McKenzie Marshall currently holds 8th but is certainly a rider well worth watching if he attends Lower Drayton. On the evidence of round 1, this MX2 class is certainly wide open in 2023 with several potential winners although one contender who will be missing is Tommy Alba having recently parted company with the LRT Racing team on amicable terms.
Making his AMCA 125cc Championship debut, Damon Strydom was superb at Fatcat, winning the opening three moto’s in style. In the last one, Wildcard Jimmy Margetson took the win from Harry Linton with Strydom in 3rd. All weekend, Linton looked very fast and ultra-competitive eventually bagging the final podium spot. Luke Dean, Jack Cox, returning to racing after 5 years out of the sport, Chris Povey and Luke Newman also started their 2023 Championship campaign strongly, picking up big points haul.
After Wyatt McGregor had won the opening Youth 125cc moto, from here onwards Apex GasGas UK rider Shane Jones dominated proceedings. Starting his Championship with a very frustrating DNF, Shane then responded brilliantly with a moto win hat-trick but in the very early series standings it’s McGregor on top from last year’s AMCA 85cc Champion Jack Evans, Will Turner, Rees Jones, Shane Jones and Logan Jay Powell.
Another Wildcard rider Josh Vail was a superb runaway winner of the Youth 85cc contest. With the stylish Vail clearing off into the distance on all four occasions, the battle for the remaining leading places was always red hot. Eventually, Oakley Kettle was to prove next best ahead of Ollie Jewitt, George Clark, Troy Weaver and Mason Care. In the SW85cc, Ryan Jackson is the early leader from Harrison Rees and Jacob Ince.
Following the Fatcat opener, two new AMCA Championship names lead the Vets charge with Adam Wilkinson on top from Simon Bonser. On a tiny 125cc GasGas machine, Wilkinson brilliantly won all four moto’s with Bonser next best. Taking the final podium, place in this one was AMCA series regular Simon Lane with Matt Ryder, another returning rider next up. In the separately scored Vets Over 50’s class, Bonser is holding top slot from Ryder and Sean Smith.
This year’s AMCA series also incorporates the girls BWMA Championship. Racing in the Youth 125cc class alongside the boy’s, Marni Saunders took the overall with a 2/2/3/2 scorecard. Moto wins in this one went to Rheanna Morgan-Rogers (2), Caitlin Newman and Lauren May Colloingwood. Unfortunately, though after taking the opening two victories, Morgan-Rogers was to crash out so in the overall, Newman and Grace Bates joined Saunders in the top three with Hannah Jones and Hollie Roberts, last year’s BWMA 85cc also in the mix.
The BWMA 85cc Girls also raced with the boys in the Youth 85cc contest. In this one despite an almost full combined start list there was to be some outstanding performances. The first girls home in the four clashes were Leah Rees-Evans (2), Holly Williams and Checoby Rainey. Backing her wins up with a strong 2nd and 3rd placing in the remaining races, Rees-Evans was also the overall victor and early BWMA 85cc Championship leader from Rainey and Williams.
So, get along to the Lower Drayton circuit for a weekend of great motocross action this weekend. The venue can be found just off junction 13 of the M6 with the local postcode ST19 5RE.
Admission charges are either for the entire weekend Adults £15 and OAP’s £10 or for just one day of spectating Adults £10 with OAP’s £5. On both Saturday and Sunday, Children Under 16 can gain entry for FREE providing they are accompanied by a paying Adult.
