The team behind the Apico 2-Stroke Festival featuring the Red Bull Pro Stroke National has confirmed its biggest-ever rider support for its 2024 three-day event.
Promoter Dave Willet and long-standing partner Dylan Brown of Apico Factory Racing have agreed a £15,000 deal for the increasingly-popular summertime race weekend which has become a firm fixture on the calendar for riders of all abilities, whether just-for-fun or fast-paced and competitive motocross.
The extended collaboration is expected to open the doors to the many high-end brands distributed by the Burnley-based trade firm, delivering more opportunities for rewarding riders across the ranks.
Commenting on the significant prize pot, Willet said; “Ever since my first event, one of my main concerns has been to support those who support us. After opening the event up to more riders and classes at short notice last year, I quickly realised I need to try and give back to more riders. Dylan and his partner Anna have been brilliant over the years and recognised I need the type of investment that will allow us to achieve just that!”
Speaking on behalf of the Apico team, Brown added; “Anna and I absolutely love coming to the Festival each year. Witnessing the riders and spectators enjoying themselves and the positive energy that comes with it is really inspiring. We feel it’s the best event to give back to the motocross community and, as such, we take great pleasure from being in a position to increase our level of support.”
A confirmed date, entry details and ticket information will be released very shortly at www.2strokefestival.com
Pictured: Jamie Law at the 2023 Apico 2-Stroke Festival. Image credit: Adam Duckworth Photography.
The hugely successful Apico 2-Stroke Festival, featuring the Red Bull Pro-Stroke National, returned to Sellindge in Kent last weekend, Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of July.
Over 300 riders, including reigning and former British Champions, rocked up for the event which featured packed start-lines and non-stop action across a two-day celebration of all old-school style two-stroke motocross and modern-day four-stroke racing. It included ACU British Championship status for the 2-Stroke 125, Open, Evo and Super Evo classes. Its Over 40s Open 2-stroke attracted a packed field and, the Red Bull Noughties welcomed riders with machines from 2000 to 2008. The programme also included youth classes catering for 125, 250F, BW and SW85s.
Energy drinks giant Red Bull is once again supported the Festival over both days, with the Red Bull Pro-Stroke National Clubman MX1/MX2 and the Red Bull Pro-Stroke National, with classes for Pro/Expert MX1 and MX2.
With serious prize money and top-quality products up for grabs the racing was tight and competitive across all classes, giving the record Festival crowd plenty to cheer.
Saturday’s schedule was cut short due to a heavy dump of the wet stuff. The decision was supported by all riders as, thanks to the pre-event preparation and overnight maintenance, the track was in prime condition for the full set of racing on Sunday.
Conrad Mewse, Josh Gilbert and Tommy Searle were the ones to beat in the Red Bull Pro-Stroke National MX1 group. Mewse won both races in convincing style with Gilbert taking the runners-up slot and Searle third in both. Brad Todd was fourth and Martin Barr, who also contested and finished third overall in the British Open Two-Stroke Championship, was fifth.
In his adult debut, youth MXY2 star Billy Askew, is proving to be the one to watch. Having won the first Youth 250F race on Saturday. He fired out of the gate to go second and first and take the Red Bull Pro-Stroke National MX2 overall on Sunday. Dylan Walsh was second overall with a third and second and Josh Spinks, with an opening moto win followed by a sixth, rounded out the podium. Dylan Woodcock finished fourth, followed by Ollie Beamish in fifth.
On the British Championship front, Glenn McCormick cleaned up in the ACU British 125 Two-Stroke Championship with three wins from three starts. Young Wal Beaney took a third and two seconds and Rob Holyoake a second and two thirds. Twenty-seven riders packed out the grid for this popular group which saw former MotoGP race winner Bradley Smith take a solid fifth.
The ACU British Open Two-Stroke Championship was won by local rider Raife Broadley with a fourth place and two wins. Josh Coleman was runner up in all three races with MX1 Apico-supported Martin Barr topping off a busy and productive weekend with a seventh, fourth and third to secure third overall. The opening race of this British Championship class on Saturday was won by Matt Bayliss with Josh Coleman second and Tommy Searle, having a bit of fun and enjoying the sounds and smells of the smokers, in third.
Completing the British Championship classes were the ACU British Evo groups with combined Evo and Super Evo classes. Another local rider Steve Bixby made the British Evo his own by taking all three wins in the Evo Championship. Jon Barfoot went three-two-two to take second and Scott Allen’s sixth, second and fifth earned him third overall. From the world of Quad racing, Sheldon Seal was the runner up in Saturday’s first race. The British Super Evo saw the top three take the same finish positions in each moto with Josh Spinks, who was on fire having also secured third overall in the Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals MX2, victorious in first place. Rob Holyoake, backing up his British 125 2-Stroke third place with another British podium placing in second and popular Welshman Glen Phillips in third.
Elsewhere in the Apico 2-Stroke Festival field, the Over 40s was won by Michael Chesney with three wins, followed by Paul Moore and Mike Allport. The Red Bull Noughties also had a clear winner with Charlie Nudds taking the honours, Josh Mayo second and Tom Brown third.
Sticking with the Red Bull featured classes, over 40 riders raced the mixed Pro Stroke Clubman MX1 and MX2. Ben Lambert, Paul Barrand and Chris Chapman completed the MX1 podium while Rheis Morter, John Waghorne and Connor Disano took the top steps in the MX2 class.
On the Youth scene, with over 60 riders booked in for the Youth 125 and 250F, the classes were split into A and B groups with qualification on Saturday deciding the grids. The 125 A class was won by Levi Saunders with Travis Laughton second and Max Corke third. Riding in the same group, the 250F was won overall by Liam Bennet, with Jake Cappa second and Reece Hall third. Billy Askew took the win in race one. Blake Monks, Jamie Taylor and Shane Woodsford were the 125 B top three.
The big-wheel and small-wheel 85s rode were out on track together. In the big-wheels, Charlie Richmond took the first two wins and Jamie Keith the third. Robbie Daly posted three third place finishes. The small-wheels was won by Ralph-Jay Holloway with triple wins, Harley Ince was second and Mason Doe third.
In a first for an ACU-supported national motocross event, some 60 junior riders across Autos A and B, Electric E4 and Electric E5, alongside Revvi balance bike 12” and 16” models had a blast on a purpose-built track where they could contest their own races safely away from the main arena. This an area Festival promoter Dave Willet intends to grow and will be working closely with manufacturers and major players within this expanding industry.
Commenting on the seventh successful running of the Apico Two-Stroke Fesitval featuring the Red Bull Nationals, Willet said; “It’s been an absolute insane month. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready and while it’s been a lot, it’s been so worth it. I can’t express how much I appreciate all the patience and support we’ve had from everyone.
A big thank you to all the individuals, sponsors, and supporters who have helped us out. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be able to bring these events to life. I’m such a big supporter of UK motocross and I’d love to see our island become the go-to place for all things on two wheels.”
Michelin, one of the world’s leading tyre manufactures, has stepped forward to support the Apico 2-Stroke Festival series for 2019.
Michelin is distributed by Apico in the UK. Michelin wanted to be involved in this year’s 2-stroke festival after recognising the passion for 2-stroke racing.
The 2-stroke scene is booming and with bike sales growing, the Apico 2-Stroke festival is more than happy to welcome Michelin on board to help support grass roots riders.
Apico boss Dylan Brown said: “Michelin has been a partner with Apico for over a decade and they have been really impressed with our passion to develop the sport with the Apico 2 Stroke Festival. They wanted to join the party and encourage new and old riders that 2-strokes a still very much alive.”
Festival organiser Dave Willet said: “It’s so satisfying to have Michelin involved with the series. We currently have a lot of amazing brands attached to the festival and now with Michelin’s involvement, it strengthens the series which in return will benefit our grass roots riders.”
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival dates and venue are: May 25th/26th – Marshfield Mx, Wiltshire August 3rd/4th – Iron Works Moto Parc, Middlesborough September 21st/22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Marshfield entry is now open – follow the link to ENTER
Registration is open and until the first round. It will be open for day entries two weeks before the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day. http://www.2strokefestival.com/
British oil giant Putoline is to back the 2019 Apico 2-Stroke Festival as part of its continued support of two-stroke dirt bikes and grass roots racing.
As the UK’s largest off-road lubricants supplier, Putoline is seeing an upturn in two-stroke oil sales for off-road bikes and is therefore pleased to support the three-round festival series which is the brainchild of former British two-stroke champion Dave Willet.
The series kicks off at Marshfield near Bath on May 25-26, travels to Ironworks in Middlesborough on August 3-4 and has its finale at the old-school Sellindge track in Kent on September 21-22.
Just gets better…??Putoline UK Support For Apico #2StrokeFestival Series ?Read more… https://www.facebook.com/motoheadmag/posts/2251219898476141
There are classes from youth 85s up to adults on modern bikes plus classic Evo and Super Evo classes to cater for all fans of two-stroke machines.
Although primarily aimed at clubmen, there are also ACU British championship titles up for grabs in the Adult 125, Adult 250, Evo and Super Evo classes.
Alongside market-leading off-road brand Apico, the headline backer of the series, Putoline UK believes the two-stroke is far from dead as motorcycle manufacturers add more two- strokes to their model line-ups and riders appreciate the reduced cost and ease of repairs compared to four-strokes.
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day.
We are excited to announce three super talented UK youth riders will be racing the 2019 Apico 2-Stroke Festival, all riders are members of team Revo Husqvarna UK.
In the 85cc class, we have Ollie Colmer and Ryan Waggot and Ryan Mawhinney will contest in the 125 Rookie class on the Husqvarna TC125.
Following the MX2 Team video last week, Revo Husqvarna UK and Husqvarna Motorcycles UK would like to present the video for the Youth MX team for 2019JGR PerformanceStephen ColmerMax HindToofast Media Group
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival dates and venue are as follows: May 25th/26th – Marshfield Mx, Wiltshire August 3rd/4th – Iron Works Moto Parc, Middlesborough September 21st/22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day. http://www.2strokefestival.com/
This kid from Castleford will be one to watch out for in the future for sure. Talented 14-year-old Jack Grayshon certainly has the skills, focus and determination to reach his goal which is to become a professional motocros rider. The kid has already built up an impressive CV which clearly shows he’s got the minerals in the UK and in Europe.
He’s quite a shy lad away from the track but he’s definitely got a race attitude when the gate drops. It’s clear to see he has race craft and a good understanding of how to race the track with a technical ability which most club riders would pay a small fortune for.
And for 2019, he’s getting a real boost as he’s the winner of the £5000 sponsorship package as winner of the Apico Dream Ride at last year’s 2-Stroke Festival series.
Back then, he was on a big-wheel 85 and he could have stayed in that class for 2019. But Jack has ambition to go further, that’s clear to see.
We’ve met up with him a few times while he was on the KTM 85cc and just before Christmas we met up with Jack and his dad Dave again to deliver the news he’d won the Apico Dream Ride – a prize given out to the most deserving rider in the 85cc group. Since then we’ve been tracking how he gets on and we will continue to do so.
Watching him progress in the past three months has been cool. The kid has developed in size and he’s really starting to suit the bike, which you can see from the video.
“When I first got on the 125, it wasn’t the power so much that was so different to the 85 but the handling,” he said. “That’s due to the weight and it being a bigger bike. It took me a little while to get used to it, but now it feels normal.”
After speaking to his dad, it seems they are sensibly treating this year as a learning year with no pressure from his sponsors. He’s rising the MXY2 series alongside the Maxxis rounds on his 125 as he just loves two-strokes. Against fully race-tuned 250Fs, that’ll be a baptism of fire.
He’ll also contest all three rounds of the Apico 2-Stroke Festival in 2019, too. As well as some races on the continent to brush up on his sand skills. And then he plans to attack Europe next year in the EMX125 class.
Watch this space, as we plan to follow his year and see how this talented Yorkshire lad develops his skills and speed.
Jack’s racing CV 2018 British 85BW champion
2018 Apico 2-Stroke festival 85BW overall winner
Judd British Cup 85SW champion
Third, British Youth Nationals 85SW
Third, Weston Beach Race 85SW
Winner French Master Kids 65
Second British Youth Nationals Auto
Third GT Cup Auto
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival dates and venue are as follows: May 25th/26th – Marshfield Mx, Wiltshire August 3rd/4th – Iron Works Moto Parc, Middlesborough September 21st/22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day. http://www.2strokefestival.com/
Huge thanks to everyone who entered our recent DEP exhaust competition, today we can announce the three lucky winners who will receive a new DEP exhaust system for their two-stroke bikes.
As a gesture of goodwill use 2STROKEFESTIVAL code for a 10% graphics discount from Zero9, please visit their site HERE. (Offer ends May 25th 2019)
Congrats to: Brandon Love James Kensington Luke Connolly
Please check your emails guys. Keep your eyes peeled to our social media pages for the next competition we are set to run very soon.
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival dates and venue are as follows: May 25th/26th – Marshfield Mx, Wiltshire August 3rd/4th – Iron Works Moto Parc, Middlesborough September 21st/22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day. http://www.2strokefestival.com/
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival vision and focus have always been aimed at getting the young, old, the experienced or newbie rider together to create an event atmosphere second to none, it’s all about that race buzz and to experience a memorable weekend of racing.
Ever since the first meeting back in 2017, we have provided exactly what we said we would for all in the paddock. The series is for everyone who enjoys two-stroke racing and bikes, new bikes or well-loved older bikes, there are classes for just about everyone and this year we have four British ACU titles up for grabs for the first time, we are progressing at a rapid rate which is great for two-stroke racing here in the UK. We also stay true to the grass root riders of the sport, the working class rider and the core of our beloved two-strokes.
The tracks used for the series are scattered around the UK in a triangle figure, each track offers something a little different to challenge the riders. The circuits themselves are of a high standard and prepped to the best they can be which delivers high action quality two-stroke racing. With all that said and done, watch the video and listen to riders which have attended the events – they love it for so many reasons.
The two-stroke scene is picking up fast, not just in the UK but globally and we plan to be at the forefront at what we do.
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival dates and venue are as follows: May 25th/26th – Marshfield Mx, Wiltshire August 3rd/4th – Iron Works Moto Parc, Middlesborough September 21st/22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. The Registration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day. http://www.2strokefestival.com/
The world’s premier energy drink brand will support the three-round Apico 2-Stroke Festival series in 2019 and beyond.
Red Bull backs a huge range of motorsport events around the world and is keen to support ground-breaking events like the Apico 2-Stroke Festival. This year the company went all-in by making the famous Red Bull Straight Rhythm head-to-head race in California for two-strokes only – and it hasn’t stopped there by showing love for the two-strokes in the UK.
Red Bull athlete support is second to none in the world of motorsport including competitors such as world champion motocross superstars Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, plus Supercross stars like Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin.
Red Bull will be in attendance at all three festival rounds in 2019, starting at round one on May 25-26 at the legendary Marshfield Moto Parc in Wiltshire. Red Bull want to start by working with the grassroots of the sport and believe the festival is the ideal place to start after attending Sellindge Mx last year the brand bought into the atmosphere of the event and really like vibe and focus for everyone to enjoy themselves both on and off track.
The brands passion for motorsport in general is second to none however they’ve been absent from UK Motocross events for a while and feel that’s all changed as the brand is 100% behind the petrol heads of the sport.
Red Bull are in talks with their UK-supported riders to attend some of the events in 2019, like last year when KTM factory rider Jonny Walker raced at the final round in Kent.
Event organiser, Dave Willet: “To be working alongside such a huge global brand so early on at this stage is insane. After meeting the Red Bull team and discussing future plans it really pleased me to have such a cool creative bunch of individual sharing the same passion as we do. This is very exciting times for UK motocross as a whole not just the 2-stroke revolution.”
The dates for the 2019 season are as follows:
May 25th and 26th – Marshfield MX, Wiltshire August 3rd and 4th – Iron Works Moto Parc September 21st and 22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener.
TheRegistration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day.
This season the Apico 2-Stroke Festival gave away a lot of prizes to riders of all levels and gave the massive opportunity to one lucky rider in the 85cc class for supporting the Apico 2-stroke festival. The young winner received a sponsorship package worth £5000 for 2019 from the title sponsor Apico Factory Racing. You may have already seen the talented young rider Jack Grayshon across our channels.
We are pleased to announce that Apico Factory Racing will continue to support the 2019 2-Stroke Festival with product and prizes for registered riders of the series and offer one 85cc rider the same dream deal of being an Apico sponsored rider. The deal is worth £5000 for the 2019 season.
Apico’s Dylan Brown is the man behind this amazing and unique collaboration, his passion for the sport is huge. He believes there are so many talented young riders out there and is keen to nurture the riders of tomorrow, who are willing to commit to the sport they have so much passion for:
“It is good to see such talented riders we’ve helped coming through to the pro ranks and doing well with the support our company is able to offer them. I’d like to think that there’s a young rider out there now that deserves help and who could be a top-level rider in a few years’ time. We at Apico Factory Racing would all be proud to have helped someone achieve their dream of becoming a professional rider. I would hope that they can deliver back on the sponsorship and develop a working relationship together with Apico Factory Racing for the future.”
Apico 2-Stroke Festival organiser Dave Willet said: “It’s great to be involved with such passionate companies within the industry. Apico have been brilliant and fully supportive from the beginning. We share the same vision in what we want to achieve which is a fun family racing atmosphere, rewarding the efforts from the grassroots riders, but also to offer a level of progression for the youth of the sport. So just to clarify all ACU license holders will be taken into consideration for the world and EMX events in 2019 and beyond.
Companies like Apico Factory Racing are able to offer the tools for the job in hand and help talented riders to progress and fulfil the dreams and expectations.”
The dates for the 2019 season are as follows: May 25th and 26th – Marshfield MX, Wiltshire August 3rd and 4th – Iron Works Moto Parc September 21st and 22nd – Sellindge MX, Kent
Registration is open and will close on April 24th 2019. It will be open for day entries at the Marshfield opener. TheRegistration fee of £75 secures you a place at every round, and the cost is £95 per round for Registered riders. All riders must be ACU affiliated, and transponders can be hired on the day.
