The MX Nationals is leaving the ACU and joining the MC Federation. It’s a major blow for the ACU. Their official information says: “Although it is a shame to see the MX Nationals leave the ACU we are pleased that they have been able to grow and establish their championship to what it has now become under the guidance and support of the ACU during the past 4 seasons.”

The brainchild of RaceFX boss Paul Irwin and his father Neil, the MX Nationals was introduced to the country’s hungry motocross fraternity back in 2014 at a time when there wasn’t a serious championship suitable for riders from grass-roots right through to professional riders. By staging youth classes alongside the adults, the series gives younger riders invaluable experience and also gives them a great shop window to showcase their talents to professional teams – of which there are many trackside at the ‘Nationals’.

Since those early days when, admitted Irwin “we didn’t get everything right …”, the championship has grown in stature and now boasts a highly-competitive and full start line at every round. With seven classes of racing catering for all ages from small-wheel 85cc to Pros on factory-spec MX1 and MX2 machinery, the MX Nationals is unique in that each of its rounds is staged over two-days and continues to work hard at finding and creating new venues.

Commenting on the new partnership, MX Nationals Neil and Paul Irwin said; “As the Michelin MX Nationals enters its fifth season we are excited to enter this new chapter. With the help of our existing crew and the crew at the MCF, we are confident that we will take the championship to another level, make it more professional and put in front of a larger audience. We have all the ingredients to produce some awesome events in 2018 at the UK’s best venues.”

“The MCF is so pleased to have secured the opportunity to work alongside the MX Nationals crew for 2018,” added MCF general manager, Roy Barton. “There’s no doubt that Paul and his team have built the UK’s leading outdoor series for motocross where we can work together in opening opportunities for the MCF to help connect its clubs and riders to a platform that develops riders from grass roots to Pro level racing.”

The 2018 Michelin MX Nationals kicks off in early April with six rounds taking it through the summer to the beginning of September.

The provisional 2018 calendar can be found at www.mxnationals.co.uk