Question for the Brits

englishman wrote:

It’s ridiculous. The UK is less than half the size of California and they have about 4 or 5 different “national series” . I constantly hear...

It’s ridiculous. The UK is less than half the size of California and they have about 4 or 5 different “national series” . I constantly hear the guys over there at the upper organizational level trying to figure out how to fix the sport. 
Doesn’t make a great deal of sense because all those guys are guys I raced with back in the day when it was booming so they know exactly how to fix it.

Yes it’s a different era etc but if they just went back to ONE national championship, just ACU & AMCA as governing bodies and keep schoolboys separated from adults with the big schoolboy meetings at years end - ACU finals, All British, Champion of champions etc it would be 10,000.00 times better than the huge clusterfuck it is now.  

Maicoman07 wrote:

The story was true.The ACU have had a massive fallout with RHL Activities. The ACU will be running the British Championships in 2025

Twigster wrote:

Which probably means RHL will run their own thing, which will split the talent pool even further...

Snapper wrote:

I can't see that happening...

J2s wrote:

^^^^ I stopped at 18 when 10 b and h gold was 59 pLooking at 18 quid a pack now, I did search cheapest the other...

^^^^ I stopped at 18 when 10 b and h gold was 59 p

Looking at 18 quid a pack now, I did search cheapest the other day and they was 14£

philG wrote:

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own...

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own series under a different organisation ( which they created). 

So nothing will have gone away, which is half the problem. 

Too many gate drops chasing too few riders, nobody willing to give up their bit of the cake. 

We dont even have a schoolboy club within 60 miles of us and their used to be 2 , that ran once a month each. 

But you cant just run meetings on farm land with a few posts and tape and a St John's Ambulance any more. 

At 59 , i can say i had the best out of it  all they way through. 

Nothing is going back to what it was, so expecting that it will is just misplaced optimism. 

 

philG wrote:

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own...

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own series under a different organisation ( which they created). 

So nothing will have gone away, which is half the problem. 

Too many gate drops chasing too few riders, nobody willing to give up their bit of the cake. 

We dont even have a schoolboy club within 60 miles of us and their used to be 2 , that ran once a month each. 

But you cant just run meetings on farm land with a few posts and tape and a St John's Ambulance any more. 

At 59 , i can say i had the best out of it  all they way through. 

Nothing is going back to what it was, so expecting that it will is just misplaced optimism. 

 

Twigster wrote:

You looked at any of the EVO stuff? Sounds like it would be right up your street..

philG wrote:

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own...

So the big shift for 2025 is that one of the lesser series is stepping in to assist the British, but will still run their own series under a different organisation ( which they created). 

So nothing will have gone away, which is half the problem. 

Too many gate drops chasing too few riders, nobody willing to give up their bit of the cake. 

We dont even have a schoolboy club within 60 miles of us and their used to be 2 , that ran once a month each. 

But you cant just run meetings on farm land with a few posts and tape and a St John's Ambulance any more. 

At 59 , i can say i had the best out of it  all they way through. 

Nothing is going back to what it was, so expecting that it will is just misplaced optimism. 

 

Twigster wrote:

You looked at any of the EVO stuff? Sounds like it would be right up your street..

philG wrote:

Been riding UK EVO for the last 2 seasons,   Its a great series for the following reasons.Nice natural tracks, no schoolboy classes, pretty much all...

Been riding UK EVO for the last 2 seasons,   Its a great series for the following reasons.

Nice natural tracks, no schoolboy classes, pretty much all 2 strokes, and caters for older riders. 

So by default, you dont get folk blaring music, kids ragging round on push bikes, or loads of people smoking weed. 

Other than the ACU Vets Meeting at Luton in June, i haven't been to a modern meeting for 2 seasons. 

World Vets is at Farleigh this weekend, but i rode their 2 weeks ago, at King of the Castle, and when the entries came out i was already booked up. 

I am past riding every week, once a month is plenty , i do know folk even at my age who have to ride every weekend and all through the winter as well, i cant muster that level of enthusiasm. 

 

AnimalHungry wrote:

But you cant just run meetings on farm land with a few posts and tape and a St John's Ambulance any more. 

Why not?

Twigster wrote:

You looked at any of the EVO stuff? Sounds like it would be right up your street..

philG wrote:

Been riding UK EVO for the last 2 seasons,   Its a great series for the following reasons.Nice natural tracks, no schoolboy classes, pretty much all...

Been riding UK EVO for the last 2 seasons,   Its a great series for the following reasons.

Nice natural tracks, no schoolboy classes, pretty much all 2 strokes, and caters for older riders. 

So by default, you dont get folk blaring music, kids ragging round on push bikes, or loads of people smoking weed. 

Other than the ACU Vets Meeting at Luton in June, i haven't been to a modern meeting for 2 seasons. 

World Vets is at Farleigh this weekend, but i rode their 2 weeks ago, at King of the Castle, and when the entries came out i was already booked up. 

I am past riding every week, once a month is plenty , i do know folk even at my age who have to ride every weekend and all through the winter as well, i cant muster that level of enthusiasm. 

 

Thisusernameisavailable wrote:

No idea how far it would be for you to travel, but check out Southern motocross (SMX) Ole Tony Ford has long passed but it’s in good...

No idea how far it would be for you to travel, but check out Southern motocross (SMX) 

Ole Tony Ford has long passed but it’s in good hands with his daughter (in law maybe..?) 

It’s like stepping back in time in terms of how a meeting is run. 
 

Twigster wrote:

Which probably means RHL will run their own thing, which will split the talent pool even further...

Snapper wrote:

I can't see that happening...

Twigster wrote:

RHL is a business, and he tends to do what suits. If he can't promote the ACU series it's doubtful he will go away...

 

Snapper wrote:

I can't see that happening...

Twigster wrote:

RHL is a business, and he tends to do what suits. If he can't promote the ACU series it's doubtful he will go away...

 

Snapper wrote:

It is. But if he can't attract riders to the premier series, what hope does he have trying to set up another championship?

Elliot wrote:

You need an event license from the local authority. The rules are very restrictive and hard to get.

Elliot wrote:

You need an event license from the local authority. The rules are very restrictive and hard to get.

AnimalHungry wrote:

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks...

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks, particularly down South, were just farmers’ fields. 

So now with the requirement to obtain an event license can you only hold races at designated tracks i.e. where the land is zoned for dirt bike use and not agricultural?

Cheers,

Simon

Elliot wrote:

You need an event license from the local authority. The rules are very restrictive and hard to get.

AnimalHungry wrote:

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks...

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks, particularly down South, were just farmers’ fields. 

So now with the requirement to obtain an event license can you only hold races at designated tracks i.e. where the land is zoned for dirt bike use and not agricultural?

Cheers,

Simon

Twigster wrote:

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. The problem really is entries. Everyone...

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. 

The problem really is entries. Everyone chases the 'big' tracks and doesn't bother so much with the older approach of local tracks on some farmers land. If you don't have built jumps, ripped and watered ground etc people moan and whinge about why there's no ruts and so on. Outside of Evo racing there seems to be very little appetite for 'old-school' motocross. 

Severn Valley are still going, as are Corsham under new management. SV like stuff ripped deep though and have a strong following of people who also love it, so reluctantly I've been avoiding them this year since I blew my ACL last year because that's just not interesting to me. It kinda sucks the fun out of riding and racing when everywhere you go, irrespective what type of soil it is and how good the layout is, is the bloody same. 

I was supposed to go to Landrake this weekend, but that always gets the same type of prep and is rut-city. Which to me is frustrating because the layout is so damn good it's one of my favourites, but stupid endless upright clubman ruts just aren't fun. I am in the clear minority though, which is why it's like it is even though most in this thread feel otherwise! 

Richy wrote:

With Tommy back down to a 250 day in day out, he's a good fit for the 250 at MXdN. Tough to ignore Ben Watson, Max...

With Tommy back down to a 250 day in day out, he's a good fit for the 250 at MXdN.

Tough to ignore Ben Watson, Max always gives 100%, and Deano would be on a last hurrah kinda kick so maybe he would have some extra fire? Conrad Mewse or Josh Gilbert would likely rise to the occasion too if needed, both are badasses.

The motocross community here absolutely lives for it, but our country as a whole hates motocross or anything which makes any noise or dust or generally brings anyone else happiness. So I get why we don't produce more elite talent nowadays, shame.

Matterley is gonna be sweet though, no question.

Jason XCmtb wrote:

I've been into mx for over 40 years and the rest of the country hated mx back then too. I think it's more to do with...

I've been into mx for over 40 years and the rest of the country hated mx back then too. I think it's more to do with riders choosing to stay in the UK and earn money/not spend tons doing the GP's for no reward. That's understandable, but all that has happened is that our top guys have settled into a pace that wins at home but doesn't cut it at world level. Mewse and Gilbert looked great at home all last year and were absolutely nowhere at the MXDN.

Also, back in the 80's and 90's we had stand-out riders like Noyce, Thorpe and Nicoll who fought hard and won at the GP's and raised the standard of the UK riders coming through behind them who wanted to emulate them. There's nobody in UK mx who's leading the way as an example now. UK riders now prefer to be a bigger fish in a tiny pond, and seeing our top guys doing this isn't helping change attitudes.

Elliot wrote:

You need an event license from the local authority. The rules are very restrictive and hard to get.

AnimalHungry wrote:

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks...

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks, particularly down South, were just farmers’ fields. 

So now with the requirement to obtain an event license can you only hold races at designated tracks i.e. where the land is zoned for dirt bike use and not agricultural?

Cheers,

Simon

Jason XCmtb wrote:

I used to love the old grassland tracks. Back in the early '90's our club got told on the Thursday before a race that the land...

I used to love the old grassland tracks. Back in the early '90's our club got told on the Thursday before a race that the land couldn't be used for some reason but the farmer had another piece of land we could use. We press-ganged all the club members, pulled all the rope and posts out on the Friday night, moved it all over early on the Saturday then literally made a course up by standing on the top of a hill, pointing at bits and saying "we'll go across there, then turn right, up the hill.." etc etc.

The track was finished by Saturday evening with all the posts knocked in by hand, mob-handed, and the race meeting the next day was one of the best of the year in that area. Foot-high grass all round that was loamy soil by the end of practice. None of that graded, jumpy, tilled shit lol.

GoonRider93 wrote:

I think Joel Rizzi and his dad deserve a mention, they've given it a good go in the GP's. Not worked out so far but he's...

I think Joel Rizzi and his dad deserve a mention, they've given it a good go in the GP's. Not worked out so far but he's insanely talented. Not sure what he's up to at the moment, riders like him do exist they just need an opportunity. 

AnimalHungry wrote:

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks...

Well that sucks. Growing up we’d race with Ringwood SSC, Portsmouth, S Cornwall, Severn Valley and loads of other clubs and some of the best tracks, particularly down South, were just farmers’ fields. 

So now with the requirement to obtain an event license can you only hold races at designated tracks i.e. where the land is zoned for dirt bike use and not agricultural?

Cheers,

Simon

Jason XCmtb wrote:

I used to love the old grassland tracks. Back in the early '90's our club got told on the Thursday before a race that the land...

I used to love the old grassland tracks. Back in the early '90's our club got told on the Thursday before a race that the land couldn't be used for some reason but the farmer had another piece of land we could use. We press-ganged all the club members, pulled all the rope and posts out on the Friday night, moved it all over early on the Saturday then literally made a course up by standing on the top of a hill, pointing at bits and saying "we'll go across there, then turn right, up the hill.." etc etc.

The track was finished by Saturday evening with all the posts knocked in by hand, mob-handed, and the race meeting the next day was one of the best of the year in that area. Foot-high grass all round that was loamy soil by the end of practice. None of that graded, jumpy, tilled shit lol.

englishman wrote:

I remember racing with RSSC & PSSC back in the ‘80’s - we had tons of two day meetings usually laid out in a “stubble” field...

I remember racing with RSSC & PSSC back in the ‘80’s - we had tons of two day meetings usually laid out in a “stubble” field, a field after the hay had been mowed - by Sunday afternoon you’d have natural berms about 2 ft tall . THE absolute best days . 

Jason XCmtb wrote:

Jason XCmtb wrote:

englishman wrote:

Cadets through Experts there’d be full gates of 40 per group - except inter 100’s where we’d often have two full gates and have to run...

Cadets through Experts there’d be full gates of 40 per group - except inter 100’s where we’d often have two full gates and have to run one race for odd numbers and one for evens . 

Twigster wrote:

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. The problem really is entries. Everyone...

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. 

The problem really is entries. Everyone chases the 'big' tracks and doesn't bother so much with the older approach of local tracks on some farmers land. If you don't have built jumps, ripped and watered ground etc people moan and whinge about why there's no ruts and so on. Outside of Evo racing there seems to be very little appetite for 'old-school' motocross. 

Severn Valley are still going, as are Corsham under new management. SV like stuff ripped deep though and have a strong following of people who also love it, so reluctantly I've been avoiding them this year since I blew my ACL last year because that's just not interesting to me. It kinda sucks the fun out of riding and racing when everywhere you go, irrespective what type of soil it is and how good the layout is, is the bloody same. 

I was supposed to go to Landrake this weekend, but that always gets the same type of prep and is rut-city. Which to me is frustrating because the layout is so damn good it's one of my favourites, but stupid endless upright clubman ruts just aren't fun. I am in the clear minority though, which is why it's like it is even though most in this thread feel otherwise! 

Twigster wrote:

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. The problem really is entries. Everyone...

No you can use agricultural land, you just need the event permit which is a bit ball-ache but not too bad. 

The problem really is entries. Everyone chases the 'big' tracks and doesn't bother so much with the older approach of local tracks on some farmers land. If you don't have built jumps, ripped and watered ground etc people moan and whinge about why there's no ruts and so on. Outside of Evo racing there seems to be very little appetite for 'old-school' motocross. 

Severn Valley are still going, as are Corsham under new management. SV like stuff ripped deep though and have a strong following of people who also love it, so reluctantly I've been avoiding them this year since I blew my ACL last year because that's just not interesting to me. It kinda sucks the fun out of riding and racing when everywhere you go, irrespective what type of soil it is and how good the layout is, is the bloody same. 

I was supposed to go to Landrake this weekend, but that always gets the same type of prep and is rut-city. Which to me is frustrating because the layout is so damn good it's one of my favourites, but stupid endless upright clubman ruts just aren't fun. I am in the clear minority though, which is why it's like it is even though most in this thread feel otherwise! 

philG wrote:

100% agree.  Like most guys riding these days i will back myself to get round any track at reasonable speed, but when you see people getting...

100% agree.  

Like most guys riding these days i will back myself to get round any track at reasonable speed, but when you see people getting injured just trying to ride down a straight that has 2ft deep ruts all the way down it, i am over it. 

Rode Farleigh 2 weeks ago, it rained all night, and because it wasnt ripped at all, it was perfect all day. I will be there again in a few weeks trying not to die because they will have ripped it to death.