In the MX2 class of Round 2 of the 2024 Dirt Store ACU British Motocross Championship at Canada Heights, Crendon Tru7 Honda’s Taylor Hammal looked to be on for a podium after running second for the majority of the opener, showing stunning pace.
He eventually lost the place, but third was still a great result. But in race two he had a crash on the start and had to come right back through the pack. He dug deep and bravely fought through to sixth place, which gave him fifth overall.
Hammal said: “I was chuffed with today and it’s a step in the right direction. I had a really good first race, and ran in second for most of it but got third in the end. I didn’t actually realise I was second for so long.
“Then in race two I crashed on the start and it was a tough race to come back through. It was a long way to go to close the gap down, so I have to be happy to get back to sixth.”
His Honda CRF250R team-mate Jake Nicholls, who came out of retirement to contest the British championship this year, had a tough day. He went down on the first lap of the opener and rode with a damaged throttle to come back to tenth. In race two he got away cleanly but had a minor technical issue yet still managed to hang on to eighth place for eighth overall, and he now holds eight in the series.
Nicholls said: “It was a frustrating day as the first race I had a good start and went down in the second turn and my throttle grip got stuck in someone’s sprocket which tore it all up. But I got back on and came through to tenth, which was a pretty good ride.
“In the second I had a better start and stayed on! But the bike wouldn’t rev out fully so that made it one of the most frustrating races. The track was demanding and I was having to ride the socks off it and I got eighth. I ride for fun nowadays but that wasn’t much fun!
“We played about with the bike when it was muggy this morning then it got warmer and I think it was that. Maybe one day I’ll have a race without dramas!”
Team manager, triple world 500 champ Dave Thorpe said: “In the MX2 class, Taylor had a great opening race but I think what was really impressive was how he came through the field in race two after a crash at the start. That showed real determination and race craft to get back to sixth.
“And Jake also had two gritty rides. He isn’t a full-time professional racer any more so to ride like he did today against such top competition is a credit to him. He showed real determination in both races.”
Next week, the team heads to Landrake in Cornwall for round three of the Fastest 40 championship, where Conrad Mewse and Hammal will both be in the MX1 class.
Words and Images by Crendon Tru7 Honda Racing
