Spring has sprung, and the Plews Tyres British Masters Motocross Championship powered by Rock Oil is truly underway, as focus gathers on the second round of the 2026 championship this weekend.
Words by Chris Czora – Feature Image courtesy of Crendon Tru7 Honda – Reminiscent Imagery
It’s certainly a quick turnaround, as no sooner have the riders shaken the FatCat sand out of their boots than preparation begins for another sand venue, this time a visit to Shropshire and the legendary old Grand Prix venue at Hawkstone Park.
It’s a track that needs no introduction; suffice to say, the beautiful yet incredibly difficult circuit is one that demands respect, and a victory (or good result) at a circuit that’s hosted the world’s best is always satisfying. This little corner of North Shropshire certainly has its own sporting pedigree with decades of international motocross history, and if you’re after a bit of trivia, 1980s Masters and Open golf champion Sandy Lyle, although representing Scotland, actually grew up just a short distance away at the nearby Hawkstone Park Golf Club, where his father was the club pro.
Back onto two wheels, however, and the second round of the championship looks set to be one where the sand specialists can really make their advantage count before the series moves to hardpack surfaces later in the calendar. Midweek weather forecasts look pretty steady, although the threat of rain showers might make the conditions that bit tougher, especially in the woods where the sand is always notoriously soft and energy-sapping!
READ MORE: BRITISH MASTERS MX ROUND 2 – ENTRY LISTS
The headline race will be the Fix Auto UK Pro class, where a good line-up of riders is expected. Round one winner Conrad Mewse tops the entry sheets, as he looks to build on his recent good form, including a comprehensive double moto win at FatCat. He’s joined by his Crendon Tru7 Honda team-mate Jamie Carpenter, who got onto the podium last time out, and will be keen to repeat the task.
Hoping to make life difficult at the sharp end, however, will be the Phoenix Tools Fantic squad, where Josh Vail, who narrowly missed out on the podium, will be hoping to get his MX2 machine firmly in the mix. He’s joined by Carlton Husband on the big 450, who spent time at the front of the field last time out and will be hoping to top the intra-team battle as a minimum. Complementing the Fantic line-up, of course, is John Adamson on the 250cc two-stroke; his machine will certainly bark up the Hawkstone Hill as he looks to build on his eighth place in the rankings.
Meanwhile, an old friend is set to return as Brad Anderson gets behind the Masters gate for the first time this season. Nowadays, the senior figure in the Pro class, he nonetheless has plenty of speed to worry the younger riders!
At the time of writing, there’s a healthy lineup elsewhere in the field. Look out for the Scottish star Ben Edwards, who placed an impressive tenth in the opening round’s second moto. Callum Mitchell and Lennox Dickinson join the gate for round two, and the ever-charging Syd and Charlie Putnam will be hoping to climb the leaderboard. Former amateur MX2 star Jonny Roderick continues to shine whilst pro mainstays Callum Green and Josh Coleman are also expected to line up, with some fast, furious race action in store!
The weekend’s amateur and youth classes are almost fully subscribed, with only a few wildcard slots available, and plenty of names to look out for across the classes.
The Amateur MX1 class sees Mackenzie Marshall as the favourite, on what is a fairly local circuit for the Staffordshire Triumph team rider. He’s been on top form but Raife Broadley snatched a win on his Honda last time out and will be looking to challenge Marshall, whilst a little further back frontrunners David Plank, Patrick Jackson, Lewis Taylor and Liam Smith will be amongst a whole host of riders with the capability to do well, whilst local star Charlie Hamlet often has good form on his home track.
Amateur MX2 sees George Hopkins lead the championship; he took a moto win last time to finish behind wildcard Bailey Johnston. Harrison Greenough on the 250 two-stroke is another to watch, whilst an array of former Masters champions, Beau Brown, Will Haddock and Harry Bradley are amongst those to watch over the weekend, along with reigning champion Zac Stealey, who will be looking for a good result in front of the home Shrewsbury crowd.
Kyle Briggs was unstoppable in the Clubman class last time out with three comprehensive wins. Can anyone stop him? Of the championship challengers, Ryan Christian will be hoping to do so as he looks to build on his impressive 2025, whilst look out for Elliot Pugh, who improved across the weekend at FatCat, and will be hoping to again challenge at the sharp end. Frank Elwell, Liam Deegan and Daniel Chapman are amongst several names to look out for, along with local star and former Clubman champion Richard Roberts.
The ever-spectacular 125cc class sees the unbeaten Ryan Waggott start as the rider to beat, but there are plenty of names in there who could make life difficult! Wildcard rider and fan favourite Nev Bradshaw is set to return, whilst Jenson Severn has had a brilliant start to the season. Can he challenge for the top step? Alfie Herron, Harry Hall and Dexter Hind are amongst other names to watch, whilst Midlands star Jack Leese will be looking for a good result on local turf. Robbie Daly made a solid comeback from injury in the opening round and will be hoping to build on the tenth overall he picked up.
READ MORE: BRITISH MOTOCROSS NEWS
MXY2 will see the North Wales star Jayden Jones look to impress at what will be his local round. He’s been on top form in the MXGB youth championship, along with a recent AMCA championship victory, and he leads the Masters after two moto wins at FatCat. He starts as favourite, although look out for Malachi Allen, who asked questions of Jones in the opener, and snatched a final moto win to keep on the tail of the points leader. Of some of the other championship front runners, Marley Alder, Dayton Thompson and Ryan Clift are amongst several riders who will be hoping to get onto the podium, whilst Rhys Whyment will be hoping to climb back up the rankings.
The Big Wheel 85 class was a close fight in 2025, and this season has the potential to be no different, with only four points separating the podium finishers after round one. Henry Lewis took a moto win and is tied on points with Daniel Devine going into the Hawkstone sand, whilst Franky Donoghue is right behind in third. Don’t count out Teddy Merriman, who was hampered by falls at FatCat but took a moto win and demonstrated speed to top the class. Jamie Thorpe and Riley Ray Barrow are in the mix, whilst watch out for last year’s small wheel champion Elliott Shawyer, who dropped points in the final moto last time out and is hoping to get back to form.
Over in the Small Wheel 85s Forest Roberts took a moto win and the overall last time out and leads the championship charge, but like the big wheels, it’s all pretty close! Ronan Watson took two motos at FatCat and is only two points behind, tied on points with Frankie Noll, who was very consistent last time out, a first win at Hawkstone would certainly boost his title hopes! Jakson Ross, Tommy Gaddes, Harrison Chiddey and Caleb Duffy all sit very close behind, and with some podium spots and potential wins at Hawkstone, they could be ones to watch.
On the other hand, the Junior 65s has a clear leader after round one, as Roy Townley leads the pack after taking all three moto wins. Being fairly unchallenged at FatCat, he has to start Hawkstone as the favourite, with Kobe Roberts and Mason Foreman looking fairly close between second and third. Ronnie Morgan dropped points in the opening moto and will be hoping to climb the leaderboard, with Jake Sayers taking a final moto second place to show he is also one to watch. Blake Marks-Bracey, despite being more of a hardpack rider, nonetheless finished sixth at FatCat, and will be hoping to get with the leaders once again.
Action starts at 9am on both days. Practice and qualifying for youth and amateur groups commences on Saturday morning, which is followed by two blocks of racing.
The Fix Auto UK Pro riders join the fray on Sunday, their practice and timed qualification starts from 9am, before their two championship races take place across the Sunday programme, along with two races for all blocks.
Also, in added news for the spectators and families, some of the series’ favourite caterers are back on site this weekend! Ella’s Food Catering Services will be in attendance along with the Buzz Bar, both will be open into the evening on Saturday. Whilst Mark & Lisa’s slushies and pick’n’mix stall is also back open with sweet treats for moto fans, both young and old.
Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for children, wristbands are good for both days. If you want to make a weekend of it, camping is available on site for £10 per vehicle. If you know Hawkstone, cash on gate is needed as the local mobile signal isn’t the best!
Hawkstone is located approximately 20 minutes north of Shrewsbury, postcode SY4 4NA, accessible from the A49 near Lee Brockhurst and A53 south of Hodnet. As always, if travelling to the event, please drive courteously on the small lanes that lead to the circuit.
For those looking for a meeting to compete this weekend, there are some very limited wildcard spots available in the 65cc Juniors, MXY2, 125cc, along with Amateur MX1 and MX2. The Fix Auto UK Pro Class still has spaces for eligible Pro / Expert standard riders. Prospective riders should call the office on 07747 808366 – do not leave a voicemail as they are not monitored.
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