Jack Brunell (Stark Future) scored his long-awaited first victory in the British Arenacross Championship presented by Fix Auto UK with an electrifying win at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday.
Words & Images: Arenacross UK
The experienced rider from London took an emotional victory 10 years in the making in the Traxxas Pro Main Event, dedicating the win to the memory of his father who passed away last year.
Riding the brand new all-electric Stark Future, the pro final saw Jack enjoy a thrilling battle with Harri Kullas (FUS Marsh Geartec), passing and repassing each other until he managed to hold off the Estonian and establish a gap which he held to the chequered flag.
Kullas finished in second, with Dylan Woodcock (Mark McCann 64 YouTube Channel) coming home in third.
2023 Arenacross British Championship runner-up Conrad Mewse (Crendon TRU7 Honda Racing) finished in fourth in the pro final (after initially being classed 10th following a timing problem). The 24-year-old from Somerset started the event rapidly, setting the fastest lap time in qualifying before taking a clear win in the first heat. In the second a collision with Harri Kullas saw him valiantly battle through the pack to finish second and set fastest lap despite traffic.
Ahead of the final a technical glitch meant Mewse was forced to swap to the team’s spare bike, and following a tentative start he built speed before slicing through the field again.
Reigning champion Tommy Searle (Dirt Store Kawasaki) endured a frustrating chapter of his title defence. A clash with Eddie Wade (Stark Future) left him crashing out of his final heat. He continued through to the Head to Heads before a mistake took him out in the semi-final. An injury to Tommy’s hand meant that unfortunately he was unable to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier, ruling him out of the Traxxas Main Event.
Matt Bates, Arenacross Series Promoter said: “I’m still catching my breath from Saturday night! What an evening and what a way to kick-off the British Arenacross Championship presented by Fix Auto UK in 2024.
“I’m delighted for Jack to get his long-awaited and deserved first victory in the championship after a decade of trying – his dad would be extremely proud of him. Also huge congratulations to Harri Kullas and Dylan Woodcock on joining Jack on the podium.
“Conrad Mewse is looking extremely fast, and I’m sure Tommy will be back on the pace when we head to the SSE Arena, Belfast on 19 and 20 January. It’s shaping up to be a very exciting championship ahead!”
Traxxas Pro Main Event Full Result:
1. 155 Jack Brunell
2. 151 Harri Kullas
3. 260 Dylan Woodcock
4. 426 Conrad Mewse
5. 33 Ashley Greedy
6. 19 Justin Bogle
7. 407 Adam Chatfield
8. 211 Jayden Ashwell
9. 119 Mel Pocock
10. 44 Elliott Banks-Browne
11. 17 Matthew Bayliss
12. 65 James Mackrel
13. 217 Eddie Wade
14. 14 Luke Burton
The full event results can be viewed on My Laps at https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2499376
Championship Standings (After Two Rounds)
1. Jack Brunell (155) | Stark Future – 26 points
2. Conrad Mewse (426) | Crendon TRU7 Honda Racing – 23 points
3. Ashley Greedy (33) | S Briggs 10 Central Honda – 17 points
4. Tommy Searle (100) | Dirt Store Kawasaki – 16 points
5. Adam Chatfield (407) | Mark McCann 64 Youtube Channel – 16 points
6. Harri Kullas (151) | FUS Marsh Geartec Racing – 13 points
7. Dylan Woodcock (260) | Mark McCann 64 Youtube Channel – 11 points
8. Thomas Do (777) | Stark Future – 10 points
9. Elliott Banks-Browne (44) | FUS Marsh Geartec Racing – 9 points
10. Justin Bogle (19) | Stark Future – 8 points
11. Luke Burton (14) | Team Geartec Norman Watt Racing – 7 points
12. Adam Sterry (811) | 7 Points
13. Jayden Ashwell (211) | AJP Racing Suzuki – 6 points
14. Mel Pocock (119) | Dirt Store Kawasaki – 5 points
15. Ben Clayton (11) | AJP Racing Suzuki – 4 points
16. Jake Preston (957) | FUS Marsh Geartec Racing – 3 points
17. Matt Bayliss (17) | S Briggs 10 Central Honda – 3 points
18. James Mackrel (65) | Team Geartec Norman Watt Racing – 2 points
19. Scooter Webster (127) | D.A.D. Judd Racing BWR Tech – 2 points
20. Eddie Wade (217) | Stark Future – 1 point.
