British Motocross Championship
| Category | Motocross |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Inaugural season | 1951 |
 Current season | |
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 championship is recognised as being the official British championship in the sport of motocross by the ACU. It is currently under the stewardship of promoter RHL Activities.[1]
History
[edit]There is uncertainty about the origins of motocross, but it is likely that it began in 1914 when the Scott Trial was started by Alfred Angas Scott, owner and founder of The Scott Motorcycle Company. The Scott Trial was held on the Yorkshire moors in Northern England and after World War I test riders of new British motorcycles started racing against each other on off-road factory courses. The French came up with the term 'moto cross' to describe this off-road racing and the first recorded motocross competition was on Camberley Heath in Surrey, England on 29 March 1924.[2]
Classes
[edit]The British Motocross Championship competition is organised into classes of MX1 and MX2. MX1 is for 251cc to 450cc (fourstroke) and MX2 for 175cc to 250cc 4-stroke motorcycles or 120cc to 250cc 2-stroke motorcycles.
In addition to the senior classes, several youth classes take place across each round in support of the series, forming the British Youth Motocross Championship. These include the 250cc, 125cc, Big-Wheel 85cc, Small-Wheel 85cc and 65cc classes.
The British Women's Motocross Championship, with a supporting youth class, was also revived upon the beginning of the stewardship of current promoter RHL Activities. However, this was discontinued before the start of the 2022 season due to lack of entries.[3]
A 'Veterans' series was introduced in 2009 with just two rounds.[4] This class was later discontinued and does not form part of the British Motocross Championship.
Auto-Cycle Union
[edit]The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) is the governing body of the British Motocross Championship. The ACU sets the rules for the British Motocross Championship and organises the training of stewards and marshals to ensure track safety. The ACU also sets and checks safety standards and tracks the progress of national championships. The ACU has an important role to defend and develop motorcycle sport and is independent of any commercial organisation.[5]
Sponsorship
[edit]The British Motocross Championship currently has a title sponsor with Dirt Store UK, a partnership that commenced in 2024.[6]
Champions
[edit]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "RHL Activities contract extended for the ACU British Motocross Championship". Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Stealey, Bryan. "History of Motocross". Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
- ^ "British Women's Motocross Championship 2022 Update". 7 February 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "Veterans Class as hot as MX1 and MX2!". 27 September 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Auto-Cycle Union". Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "ACU British Motocross Championship announces new Title Sponsor". Retrieved 27 November 2023.