One of Scotland’s toughest challenges, Tain Motocross track, was the scene for the first round of the 2024 Scottish Championship.
Report and Images by Raymond Thomson / madmaxmedia
The big sand pit, where a great number of riders make the pilgrimage north for winter training. With entry numbers up from last year, the championship is in a good place and the hard work being done by Johnny Hamilton and his team is paying off.
The recent three round Scottish Winter Championship, held in Fife, gave some riders the chance to dial in theirseasons preparations but there’s nothing like a full gate to ramp up the intensity. The traditional two day format remained the same with the focus on Kids and Youth riders on Saturday and all the main adult races run on the Sunday. On a side note, it was the final weekend of the Rugby Six Nations and there was a battle of Motocross Nations in Scotland where the strong Irish contingent had made to long journey to prove their sand riding prowess. There was also a good number of English riders who had travelled up to 15 hours to kick start their season.
Saturday 16th March
Auto’s (Sponsored by FXR)
Although the track was shortened and tailored to suit the Auto bikes, the riders still had their work cut out to get round. Finlay Hoskisson made it look easy as he blasted out the gate and left the rest of the field in his wake. It was an impressive ride for the youngster as Ollie Hain did his best to keep Finlay on his toes, but he couldn’t match his speed. Lachlan James Jnr were managed to grab a second place in race two ahead of Ollie, but it was not enough to overhaul him on the podium.
65’s (Sponsored by FXR)
Isaac Arnold could not turn his qualifying times into the overall but after a tough race 1, he salvaged a podium with a second then a first in the last race. He was bettered by two riders as Szymon Skuratowski went 1,1,3 to win comfortably ahead of Liam Hannah who proved consistency counts when it comes to results. It looks like it will be a close run championship with the rest of the field not too far behind.
85’s SW/BW (Sponsored by Plews Tres)
SW
James McCann dominated the class ahead of Alfie Lawrie who was the best of the rest. Baili Black showed why he is a serious contender but a poor first race would cost him the final podium place as Harry Hall did enough to edge him out.
BW
Malachi Allan may be the rider to beat in this year Big Wheel class, but he will be pushed all the way this season. Although he secured the overall, Leo Self did snatch the race 2 win ahead of Ollie Holland as Allan finished third. Allan was AWOL on the podium as Self collected his second place and Holland his third. Another class that will be hard fought in 2024.
Youth 125/250 (Sponsored by Stirlings Powersports)
Robbie Scott just missed out on the 85SW Championship last year but rather than move up a class, he decided to move up 2 classes. No mean feat in itself but he proved it was the right decision for him by winning the 125 Class at round 1. He edged out Zachary Pearson by a single point. Pearson may have had the better lap times, but Scott took the accolades. Connor Smith had to settle for the final podium spot, but he comfortably gapped the rest of the field.
In the 250f class, some of the riders lap times would have got them in the top 3 of the adult support class. The racing was frantic at times and demonstrated why the class always entertains. Matt Fearnly came out on top with Irishman Jack Meara comfortably in second. Zac Newlands would round off the podium as the chasing pack would be separated by a few points.
2 Stroke 125/Open (Sponsored by Drysdales Motorcycles)
Last year, the number of 2 stroke bikes leaned out as the season progressed. Fast forward to 2024 and there was an impressive line-up in the joint class. Last years out right winner of the 150 class, Claire Winthrop knew she was in for a rude awakening to have any chance of retaining her title as Andrew Pohlen showed his years of riding the deep sand of Doune had paid off. He was a clear winner by well over a minute in each race. John Paul Aidie looked like he meant business with his short sleeved shirt look and he certainly got after it beating Jack Allen into third.
In the Open class, Ryan Thomson finally returned to competitive racing after a two season absence due to a wrist injury. He’s back on a 2 stoke and he blew away the misery of his injury right from the off. He got to realise his potential with three good starts which resulted in leading each race from the first lap. Richard McKeown rode the 250 class for fun on the Saturday on an older 2005 RM. The bike showed it could still be competitive in the right hands as the 43yr old vet beat Jordan McCaw. The Irish pair got some valuable laps in for their Sunday racesbut look like they’ll push Ryan all the way for the championship.
Adult Support
Traditionally, the Adult Support race gives some of the MX1 and MX2 riders the chance to prepare for Sunday. It gives them a chance to warm up and things certainly got heated between Billy MacKenzie and Carlton Husband as the pair clashed multiple times on the track in race 1 which resulted in the race being red flagged. The pair traded blows after a clash of bikes and the race was stopped. Jason Meara and Tony Craig had plenty of fight in them but saved it for the racing as the pair did look like they would be at the business end of the racing on Sunday.
Sunday 17th March
Vets 40,50 and 60 (Sponsored by Drysdales Motorcycles)
Barry Gray couldn’t quite manage the clean sweep for his return to the O40’s Scottish Championship Vets race as Kevin McBride was rewarded for his efforts in race 3 with the race win. Two thirds in the other races secured overall second. Michael Graham has some real competition for 2024 as he hung on for third.
In the O50’s, it was the fast starting Richard Millar that took the overall. His three race wins out shone James ‘Mad Dog’ Whitelaw who narrowly beat Morton Hannah into third. Great practice for the west coast pair as they will turn out to race next week at the Scottish Twinshocks meeting.
Fresh from racing the famous Le Toquet Beach Race in France, Les Winthrope used his vast experience to ease out his competition. Ian Wilson will have to up his game to catch Les this year. Newcomer Stephen Pollock rounded off the podium.
Adult C (Sponsored by Drysdales Motorcycles)
Owen Macdonald could not get an entry to the B’s, so he rode in the C’s. Lapping nearly 10 secs quicker than the rest of the field in qualifying, it already looked like it would be his day. His three race wins came as no surprise, and he led from the front in each race. Charlie McCann had a well deserved 2nd overall with two second places as Dylan Dobbie and Rory Cultra ended up on identical points with Dobbie taking the podium on best position in last race.
The line up of names in the B class was impressive. With a few riders choosing not to race MX1/MX2, the B class had a full gate. The field was packed with some top class riders and the Irish lads were all at the front in qualifying. Jack Meara posted the fasted lap and turned that into a race win in the first race and a second in race two but didn’t feature in the last race so no podium for him after looking strong. Josh McCorkell took the top step of the podium with 2,1,1. He was the clear winner ahead of last year’s champion Scott Paterson. The chasing pack swapped places all day as David Ross-Finnamore beat Tony McCann by a single point for the podium.
MX2 (Sponsored by Safe Access Highland Ltd)
With Carlton Husband moving up to MX1 for 2024 and Kle McNicol out due to illness, Lee Cameron fancied himself to better his third overall from last year. It wasn’t for the lack of trying but he could not touch the pair of riders running in front of him. SC SporthomesHusqvarna rider Charlie Heyman rode three immaculate races.
Ryan Thomson did his best to match his pace but 4s a lap down the gap grew throughout each race. Heyman’s times were only a couple seconds off his teammate in MX 1 Tristan Purdon so they could have had a 1-2 if they were in the same race! The fast charging Bailey Johnston looked impressive at times and although he finished on the same points as Lee Cameron, it was Lee who bagged the podium spot as he pipped Johnston in the last race.
MX1 (Sponsored by Safe Access Highland Ltd)
Tristan Purdon had obviously had a good winter training schedule. He made the most of last year’s champion John Adamson being busy with the Dutch Championship and Conrad Mewse out with an injury. Purdon made it look easy in the deep sand. His infectious smile meant he was happy with his days work. MX1 and MX2 clean sweep for the SC Sporthomes team.
Billy MacKenzie and Tony Craig looked like they would be in the mix, but both faded in the first race, so it was down to Brad Todd to push Purdon. Brad had to settle for 2,2,2 but he would admit that was a great result for him. Martin Barr’s return to Scotland was also a positive as he relished riding the deep sand. Ben Edwards return to racing was rewarded with a fourth overall after he was quickest in qualifying, but his result was impacted by a first race crash which left bodywork hanging off his bike throughout the first race. Jason Meara looked solid all day and Carlton Husband just managed to beat him into 5th overall after the pair finished on equal points.
The Scottish Motocross Championship has an impressive lineup of sponsorship this year with Drysdale’s Motorcycles, Safe Access Highland Ltd, FXR and Plews Tyres as race sponsors. Dyce Carriers Ltd, Site Sealants, Stirlings Powersports , Just1, LS2 Helmets, Modu, Actiph, Slavin Plant Hire and Lochwinnoch
The next round of The Scottish Championship will be at ClayshantMotocross track (nr Sandhead) 13th and 14th April.
