Following a successful 10 year partnership, organisers of the British Masters Motocross series have announced their collaboration with Bridgestone as the series title sponsor has drawn to a close at the end of the 2025 season.
The news serves as time to reflect on what has been a fantastic period of growth for the Bridgestone British Masters.
Initially headed by Bridgestone’s Mark Fereday, the famous Japanese tyre manufacturer joined forces with the British Masters shortly after the series was taken over by Off Road Motorsport UK, under the guidance of promoter Colin Hambridge.
Founded by Ken Winstanley back in 2002 the ‘KWS’, later known as the ‘Pirelli British Masters’ had grown into the nation’s largest combined pro, amateur and youth championships, setting the trend for such combined series, before the championship took a hiatus in the early 2010s.
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With many of the original KWS management and staff returning to the series (and still there to this day!), Bridgestone joined forces with the nascent championship as part of the company’s re-emergence into the domestic motocross market.
Along with the title backing, the company has regularly supplied products and prize giveaways, with tyre fitting of its ‘Battlecross’ range of tyres also made avaliable to riders at meetings, along with spectator competitions taking part at meetings over the years.
Additionally, for a while Bridgestone even supplied cars to winning riders! Winners of the Pro class championships were rewarded with the use of a Toyota pickup for the following season.
During this ten year period, the Bridgestone support, coupled with the hard work of championship committee and staff has seen the series grow massively into a rider favourite.
From just 84 registered riders in its comeback year, the Masters now sees most championship classes fully subscribed ahead of each season, with additional wildcard entrants leading to sell-out classes and full gates in most events during the year.
Whilst the headline Fix Auto UK Pro class allows competitors and spectators to watch some of the country’s leading riders in action, the series has also served as a springboard for young talent en route to National, European and in some cases MXGP appearances.
For the riders who make up the bulk of the youth and amateur classes the series has proved popular, with plenty of race time, and the opportunity to compete in a professionally run series utilising some of the UK’s top circuits.
The championship’s popularity has led to a wide portfolio of sponsors getting involved over the years, from sole traders to established motocross brands and well known national companies.
The British Masters and Bridgestone part ways with 2026 looking set to be another exciting year of racing. With some of the UK’s premier venues set for the new season and limited championship spaces left for riders who are yet to book, the hard work has certainly paid off.
The British Masters and Off Road Motorsport UK would like to place on record their thanks to Gary Hartshorne of Bridgestone for his continued support of the series, along with Mark Fereday and Bridgestone as a whole, and wish the company the very best for the future.
It’ll be a different look for 2026 and onwards, but thanks to the support of Bridgestone, Off Road Motorsport UK and all of the companies and riders who have supported the series over the past ten years, a new era in the championship’s history will open.
Words by Chris Czora – Images courtesy of British Masters
