The British championship will be a four-round series run over three weekends, starting in August. It kicks off with an August bank holiday weekend double-header at Foxhill, then onto Little Silver in Devon on September 13 and Blaxhall on September 27. It means the final two rounds clash with MXGPs, so will affect riders like ex champ Shaun Simpson. The official statement says:
Since the UK Government announced the necessary measures for the country to go into Lockdown to mitigate the risk of Covid-19, the ACU Motocross Committee, in conjunction with those confirmed Organisers of the British Championship Series for the 2020 season, continually reviewed the possibility of resurrecting a calendar to restart the much sought after championship series.
Following discussions with various Organisers, the light at the end of the tunnel shines brighter than it has for some time, and as such we can now announce a four round Series to be held across three events. For the first time ever, and as such unprecedented times calls for unprecedented thinking, the new revamped Series will start with a double header event at the iconic Foxhill venue over the August Bank Holiday period. Round one will take place at the former GP circuit on Saturday 29th August. The track will then be modified slightly on the Sunday in readiness for the second round and another excellent day of top class Motocross action taking place on Monday 31st August. The third round then goes to Little Silver on 13th September for an event jointly hosted by the West Devon and Tamar Valley Clubs. The Championship finale will be held at the much coveted Blaxhall circuit and hosted by the Woodbridge Club on the now vacated date of 27th September, the date which should have seen Great Britain host the now cancelled Motocross of Nations event.
Steve McCauley, Chairman of the ACU Motocross Committee and Race Director for the ACU British Motocross Championship commented; The MXGB is run by some of the best ACU affiliated organising clubs in the UK. As current protocol stands, Organisers have to seek the permission / approval of Local Authorities and, as such, that of Safety Advisory Groups within Local Authorities. With a degree of alacrity, and provided the necessary approvals are given, the plan is therefore forged for the 2020 Series to go ahead, this is of course all subject to any UK Government Advice / Guidance that may be issued which could force a change to the situation, but we remain confident that at least a British Championship Series can be held for this year. All events will follow the traditional ACU Adult Solo format with MX1, MX2 and support Classes. I should point out though for clarity, this will not be the format of the previously planned joint youth and adult championship. I cannot thank those Organisers enough who have stepped into the breach to allow us to put on a British Championship albeit reduced due to the current circumstances. Let’s go racing!
Looking ahead to next year, the ACU Motocross Committee will continue to work with Event Organisers to deliver a British Motocross Championship in collaboration with experienced Organisers, Teams, the Industry and Commercial Partners for 2021, which marks the 70th anniversary of the ACU National Motocross championship.
Dates and Venues:
Saturday 29th August – Round One Foxhill
Monday 31st August – Round Two Foxhill
Sunday 13th September – Round Three Little Silver
Sunday 27th September – Round Four Blaxhall