Here’s a little look-back for you while we are here in the depths of winter, waiting for the new season to start – 10 years ago the British Championship was sponsored by Maxxis Tyres, in a partnership that still leads casual observers to call the British Championships “The Maxxis” even though they dropped back from title sponsorship some years ago.
Words: Ben Rumbold, Images: MXGB
In the MX2 class, Elliott Banks-Browne wore the #1 plate for HM plant KTM, and had to fend off the attentions of the late Frenchman Steven Lenoir, Neville Bradshaw on the Putoline Honda, Bryan Mackenzie, and future stars who are still active such as Martin Barr, Nathan Watson, Adam Sterry, and Steven Clarke.
Mel Pocock and Jake Nicholls made their mark with moto wins but were concentrating on races overseas.
The Championship schedule was as follows:
- 17th March – FatCat
- 7th April – Lyng
- 12th May – Milton MX Park, Northampton
- 2nd June – Foxhill
- 23rd June – Desertmartin
- 11th August – Hawkstone Park
- 6th October – Farleigh Castle
The second round was scheduled to be at Canada Heights, but was cancelled due to weather – funny how history repeats itself, isn’t it?!
Ultimately, EBB took the title after winning rounds 1, 3, and 7, and through steady consistency throughout the year. Lenoir came in 2nd, just holding off a late charge from Bradshaw who finished just 5 points behind him. Pocock put in an early moto win at FatCat after a first moto DNF, and Nichols’ only appearance resulted in a maximum score at Lyng. Again, a wild card won there in 2023 also, in the shape of Jack Chambers!
Nev Bradshaw showed his love of hard-pack with the overall at Foxhill – 10 years before a VMXdN class win there – and Bryan Mackenzie took a popular win at Desertmartin as Martin Barr climbed the podium on home soil after a loudly-cheered 3rd moto win – oh yes, three motos per day back then! Nathan Watson showed his future potential with the overall at Hawkstone Park, before EBB wrapped things up with the overall win at Farleigh Castle – the last time the British Championships would ever race there….
Here is the Final Championship table – spot those names! Then a few archive shots to jog your memory:
