The Michelin MX Nationals returns to the superb Oxford Moto Parc, near Abingdon this weekend 8th & 9th July for the third round of their 2023 Championship.
Feature Image courtesy of Crendon Fastrack Honda
The venue went down a storm when it was first introduced last year and this year’s version is set to be even better with a Straight Rhythm being added in for added entertainment on the Saturday evening.
With two rounds gone there is a three-way fight at the top of the Pro MX1 standings with the Crendon Fastrack Honda duo of Conrad Mewse and Josh Gilbert filling the top two spots. Gilbert stood on top of the box at Monster Mountain last time round but with a superb 1-1 at Oakhanger it is Mewse who sports the red plate; holding a 10 point lead over Gilbert who in turn is a further 4 points ahead of reigning champ Harri Kullas of the Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha team. Will anyone be able to knock these three off of the box this weekend? The riders who could mount a challenge for the illustrious podium will be Chambers Racing Tom Grimshaw and Dan Thornhill who currently sit in fourth and sixth in the standings. Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha’s Jamie Carpenter, and last years MX2 Champ, is growing in stature and will be there or thereabouts as will Stu Edmonds, Martin Barr and Liam Knight. If ASA United GasGas racer Ivo Monticelli joins the ranks as he did in Wales then he for sure could throw a spanner in the works too.
The Pro MX2 category is as tight as it comes with just 6 points separating the top five of Jamie Wainwright, Bailey Johnston, Callum Mitchell, Charlie Cole and Carlton Husband. Any of these guys could leave Oxford with the Red Plate but there is a heap of other riders that will be able to get in the mix including the emerging Charlie Heyman and Josh Brookes, and the more experienced Sam Nunn and Glenn McCormick.
Jayden Ashwell is on top in Expert MX1 and will be keen to fend off Richard Bird, Corie Southwood and Ben Edwards who are all within striking distance of the lead racer.
In the Expert MX2 class Jimmy Margetson is the series leader, sitting just four points ahead of Uldis Freibergs with Ash Greedy also on the fringes and ready to pounce.
Luke Mellows has been consistent in Amateur MX1 and has racked up an impressive 23 point lead over second placed Sean Wainwright. Lewis Taylor is in third and him, Wainwright and the rest of the pack will need to up their game to claw back some points this weekend.
Raife Broadley and Ben Clark have been going at in in Amateur MX2 with just two points between the two who have chalked up a 41 point lead over third placed Alex Buchanan. Can anyone else mount a challenge on the lead duo this weekend?
Over in the Clubman MX1 class Tallon Aspden has been impressive this year as has Darren Manning-Coe and Billy Saunders all of which will be looking to cement their top three positions this weekend.
Matt Tolley holds a chunky 30 point advantage over his closest Clubman MX2 rival, who is Bradley Johnstone, with Matthew Pocock and George Boyce in close contention. It’s time for one of these guys to step up and be counted if they want to close in on Tolley this weekend.
In the MXY1 category Reece Jones has been super dominant only losing one of the 7 moto’s this year. Jake Walker is Jones’s biggest challenger this year but if Tyla Hooley rocks up again he will certainly be in the mix with these guys.
Will the Billy Askew freight train continue to rumble in Oxford?? Askew has taken the chequers in all 7 races this year and hasn’t looked like being beaten. Could Bayliss Utting, Mckenzie Marshall or Jak Taylor stop the rot this weekend?
There are three stand out performers in the Big Wheel 85 class, lead by series leader Josh Vail. Vail has eked out a 16 point lead over Jamie Keith, with Charlie Richmond 6 points further back but both have lowered Josh’s colours and know that they have it in the tank to beat their rival. This will be an interesting contest.
Joel Winstanley-Dawson has won rounds 1 & 2 in the Small Wheel 85’s, but Lucas Lee and Arthur Moore also have good speed and will be going all out to overhaul Joel this weekend.
Alongside two days on intense MX race action will be the the Straight Rhythm contest which will kick off when practice commences at approx 6pm on Saturday evening.
The contest will be split into 3 classes Pros, Amateurs and Farm Bikes.
Venue
Oxford Moto Parc
near Abingdon
OX13 6JB
Tickets
Straight Rhythm Tickets (Saturday night only) – https://form.jotform.com/231852134296356
Weekend Spectator Tickets (Inc Straight Rhythm) https://form.jotform.com/231592054942356
Live Streaming
Sunday’s action will be live streamed for Free on Dirt World TV. Hook up with their YouTube channel to watch >> https://www.youtube.com/@DirtWorld-TV.
No Confirmation has been given with regards to the Straight Rhythm being live streamed.
