It’s all going down in London town on the 18th of February when the OVO Arena Wembley hosts the final round of the Arenacross powered by Fix Auto Tour. Official Arenacross British Champions will be crowned with titles in all amateur and youth classes still up for grabs, as well as the big-money, ultra-prestigious Pro Class headlining championship.
The Pro class is poised to be a head-to-head Wembley shootout between the nation’s two fastest riders, the current British Motocross Champions – MX1 maestro GTCI Revo Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle and his MX2 counterpart Crendon Fastrack Honda’s Conrad Mewse.
After five fast, frenetic and fantastically hard-fought rounds, the leading pair are separated by just two points heading into the season finale meaning it’s pretty much a winner-takes-all scrap to the finish.
The battle for championship bronze is even tighter with Conrad’s Crendon Fastrack Honda team-mate Josh Gilbert and local lad Jack Brunell (Troy Lee Designs GASGAS) tied on 46-points apiece – 25 behind pace-setter Searle.
Also, challenging for victory in London will be is two-time British Champion Elliott Banks-Browne (Mark McCann 64 YouTube Channel), inaugural tour champion Adam Chatfield (FUS Geartec Husqvarna) and former Lites champ Joe Clayton (Mark McCann 64 YouTube Channel). All riders have shown race-winning pace but failed to put it all together for the 14 laps necessary to win a Main Event. This will be their last chance to do so this year and they will be highly motivated to top the podium before the season is out.
Tommy Searle (GTCi REVO Kawasaki):
“I’m gutted the series is coming to an end. I’ve looked forward to every weekend with the new tracks, new stadiums, the atmosphere as a whole, the crowds and being with the other riders in the pits. It’s been a fun series to be a part of.
“I’m really excited to be going to a new venue for the final at Wembley. I’m sure Conrad will give it his best, but I’ll pull out all the stops to go one better and I’m aiming to come out on top.
“To win another British Championship and add it to my tally is really important. The Arenacross trophy will be a great addition to my collection.”
Conrad Mewse (Crendon Fastrack Honda Racing):
“It’s been a fantastic series so far, a lot better than I expected it to be. With just a couple of points between me and Tommy, the final at London is going to be mega.
“It will be brilliant to win the championship and come away with the trophy. I am really focussed on it – so much so that I’m in Spain right now practicing for Arenacross. Tommy has been riding really well but we’ve been swapping positions throughout the series and it’s anyone’s race right up until the final flag falls. I want to finish off on a high at Wembley, and hope to be back next year!”
In the Team Championship the Crendon Fastrack Honda pairing of Mewse and Gilbert have racked up an impressive 34-point lead over Searle and Pocock who are representing GTCI Revo Kawasaki. The men in green are coming under increasing pressure from Mark McCann 64 YouTube Channel team-mates Clayton and Banks-Browne – just seven points separate the two teams going into the final round.
Dave Thorpe (Crendon Fastrack Honda Racing Team Manager):
“As a team, we believe there is huge value in being involved with Arenacross and it benefits our partners too. When you have an association with a manufacturer such as Honda, you automatically think of them as winning so when you’re an official team the role carries a certain amount of pressure. We are delighted to be winning the team championship. Personally, I am amazed at how well our riders are doing, not through lack of ability, but the different pace and style of Arenacross. They haven’t ridden in the series before and have learnt it very quickly. I take my hat off to them.
“Going into the final at Wembley, Conrad is second, and Josh joint third. At the start of the series, I would have said I’d take that. However, now with just two points in it, we have a real chance of winning the individual title. Tommy is a formidable rider but Conrad will give it his all and I expect both Honda riders to put on a brilliant show as they have at every round. Whatever happens will be a bonus as we didn’t expect to be in this position.
“Arenacross is a great event and the potential for Honda and corporate sponsorship is really valuable. I hope all manufacturers inside and outside the industry see its worth. The interest from Honda is such that senior marketing management are going to Wembley – that’s how important it is.”
Overall Pro Championship results:
1. Tommy Searle, 71 points
2. Conrad Mewse, 69 points
3. Josh Gilbert, 46 points
4. Jack Brunell, 46 points
5. Elliott Banks-Browne, 37points
6. Joe Clayton, 36 points
Overall Arenacross Team results:
1. Crendon Fastrack Honda Racing, 112 points
2. GTCI Revo Kawasaki, 80 points
3. Mark Mccan 64 YouTube Channel, 71 points
4. Troy Lee Designs GasGas, 44 points
5. FUS Geartec Husqvarna, 34 points
6. Darjen Kawasaki, 32 points
London Arenacross race fans are in for a real treat but the full Arenacross experience is so much more than just the racing with a whole heap of interactive exhibits to enjoy before the show begins and from there on out expect a full-on three hours of adrenaline-fuelled sensory overload – a feast of sounds and sights that will most likely blow your socks off.
Book your tickets – and fast because there’s limited availability – and then strap your shoes on tight because this is one night of racing that’s going down in history…
Doors for the final round of the Arenacross Tour, at the OVO Arena Wembley, open to the public at 6pm this Saturday the 18th of February 2023.
Visit www.arenacrossuk.com for more Arenacross news and information on how to book tickets.