It was a windy start to the 2024 racing season at Foxhills for the Motul Fastest 40 British Motocross Championship powered by Michelin. The team had its first outing on Honda machinery, with Martin Barr and Tom Grimshaw competing in the MX1 class. The track was pretty dry, meaning most lines on the hardpack track remained unchanged throughout Saturday’s racing. |
| Martin Barr: Being 3rd quickest in qualifying allowed Martin an early gate pick, now with the new format of 1-day racing and separating the Apico MX1 Pro Class from the Leatt MX2 Pro Class, meant there was a straightforward gate pick based on times. Due to the weather and limited tracks available for him to practice, this was Martin’s first time on hardpack on the Honda CRF450R, and he did not disappoint. “I got a decent jump and lost a couple of positions in the first corner, though I soon made that up to be battling at the front. The way the track was, it was tough to pass though I still kept on the race pace and finished a close 4th only 2 seconds off Purdon in 2nd place”. Race 2 started well with Martin pushing on at the front, though in the initial stages of the race struggled to find his flow. Towards the end of the race, Martin was posting quicker times than Purdon “I found my rhythm and started pulling in (time) on Hammal and Purdon for 3rd but ran out of time, so settled for 4th and 4th overall in the Apico Pro MX1 Class. I felt comfortable on the Apico Factory Racing Honda, much better than I have over the past couple of years. It’s been great to be back with the team, under the awning and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season”.  Tom Grimshaw: After posting 6th fastest in qualifying, Tom was unlucky at the start of race 1 to go down and remount 3rd from last. Making quick progress through the pack he reached and held 5th riding a lonely race until the hard-charging Taylor Hammal caught and passed Tom finishing 6th. “The riding was very good, it just a shame I’d had the tip-off that resulted in me losing the front pack of riders, my speed was good and I feel like I’m settling in with the Honda CRF450R, each time I ride the bike I feel faster and more comfortable, on what was a tough and very dry Foxhill track”.  In the second race, Tom managed to get out of the gate unscathed, making up a few positions on the opening lap to a top 5 position, to meet the back wheel of his teammate, Martin Barr! “I tried to pass Martin at the mid-point of the race, we both had our strong sections around the track. We were both pushing hard, to take it to the next level and pass with the slick nature of the track, which could have seen us both end up on the floor. I was happy with my speed and riding to finish 6th overall”.  Dylan Brown: Both riders had a solid start to the season at Foxhills, now aboard the Honda CRF450R 2024 machinery, it was the first real test for Martin & Tom of the season. Martin showed great race craft having a very close race 1 with Purdon and Meara, finishing only a couple of seconds from 2nd place. In race 2 we had a close team race between Martin and Tom – there were a couple of moments where I was glad they didn’t take one another out, though that’s racers for you! The track conditions were very dry, which meant the track didn’t develop throughout the day. I think we may have seen a lot closer racing had the track been wetter. It’s a tough decision for the organisers, you can’t call the weather at the moment and seeing as the track was underwater a couple of weeks ago, you can understand why they’d not watered it in the days leading up to the race, or that’s how it seemed! The team is looking forward to the weekend for the first round of the Dirt Store British Motocross Championship at Lyng. Thanks to all the sponsors for their ongoing support and the team members’ input over the weekend”. |