The ACU British Motocross Championship (abbreviated to MXGB and currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Dirt Store ACU British Motocross Championship) is the premier Motocross series in the United Kingdom. The series will start the 2024 season this weekend, April 27 & 28 in Lyng, with the presence of Five-time MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings as a wildcard.
The first of eight rounds will take place in Cadders Hill, Lyng, a natural hillside motocross circuit, primarily sand-based, without too many man-made obstacles. It is nonetheless a spectacular, physically demanding motocross venue that has witnessed many titanic battles for championship points. The Norwich Viking MCC team is constantly updating facilities for both riders and spectators.
Lyng was one of the venues for the Grandstand Television Trophy scrambles in the late 60s; it also hosted a 125cc Grand Prix in 1993 and has been running British Championship events for over 30 years.
MX1 CLASS:
Conrad Mewse is the defending champion in the MX1 class. The Crendon TRU7 Honda rider took the title in his rookie season after winning three rounds in 2023. Mewse seems to be ready and strong to defend the title as he swept the opening round of the Fastest 40 Championship in Foxhill last weekend.
Josh Gilbert is back in the MXGP paddock with GabrielSS24 KTM but at the same time will be competing in the ACU British Championship looking for some redemption after finishing runner-up in 2023.
Last year, Gilbert won the overall in Lyng, which will give him some confidence to start the season despite the recent injuries he suffered.
Jamie Carpenter was a free agent before the beginning of the 2024 ACU British Championship, but fortunately, he has inked a deal with DirtStore Kawasaki for this season. He hopes to get this new opportunity with both hands and improve the seventh place from last year.
Tristan Purdon and Charlie Putnam of the SC Sporthomes Husqvarna squad enter Lyng highly motivated to start the season and show all the progress made during the preseason.
MX2 CLASS:
With current champ Isak Gifting competing in the MXGP World Championship and the MX1 Italian Prestige series for JK Yamaha, the MX2 class promises to be very open and fierce. The big storyline here is veterans vs young guns as some former MX1 riders have decided to drop back to the 250 machinery to face the new talents in the class. A clash that will be great to watch throughout the season.
Dutch talent Cas Valk is having a successful season so far. The GabrielSS24 KTM rider recently won the 250cc Dutch Masters Championship and sits third in the EMX250 class. It wouldn´t be a surprise if he tops the podium in Lyng.
DirtStore Kawasaki Team has a house full of potential title contenders. First, Tommy Searle is dropping back to the MX2 class and is undoubtedly enjoying his time on the 250cc machine like the old times. Alongside Searle, Joel Rizzi and Billy Askew (who is competing in the EMX250 Championship) are ready for the title assault.
Other riders that made the switch from the MX1 class to the MX2 class are Taylor Hammal and Jake Nicholls from Crendon TRU7 Honda Racing Team. Meanwhile, American Jack Chambers joins again in this division loaded with DirtBike Kawaski Racing Team.
LYNG RACE TIME SCHEDULE:
*Based on Local time
| Session | Time |
|---|---|
| MX2 Time Practice | 9:35 |
| MX1 Time Practice | 10:10 |
| MX2 Race 1 | 12:05 |
| MX1 Race 1 | 12:50 |
| MX2 Race 2 | 14:30 |
| MX1 Race 2 | 15:15 |
2024 ACU BRITISH CALENDAR
| Round | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 28th | Lyng |
| 2 | May 26th | Canada Heights |
| 3 | June 8th | Monster Mountain |
| 4 | June 23rd | Blaxhall Circuit |
| 5 | July 14th | Foxhill |
| 6 | August 3rd | TBA |
| 7 | August 31st | SchoolHouse |
| 8 | September 21st | Preston Docks |
