It’s been a long time coming, but Pro MX race action begins in the UK this weekend, 7th & 8th March, with Round 1 of the 2026 Scottish Motocross Championship, which takes place at the spectacular Tain circuit in the Highlands.
Images courtesy of Scottish MX Champs
One change to the championship this year is that the 65cc, SW85cc and BW85cc riders will, in future rounds, have two races on Sunday, although this weekend in Tain, they only get one race just to be on the safe side, as it’s so early in the year and days are shorter. From Round 2 onwards, they will have 2 races on Sunday in the first two blocks, with their podiums taking place immediately after their final moto, so they can get away early.
The Youth classes, as well as an Adult Support, and a 2 Stroke class, will race on Saturday, with the Pros, Vets, and Amateurs, and the aforementioned youth classes will race on Sunday.
The big change for this year, though, is in the number of Youth class riders stepping up into MX1 and MX2 on the Sunday with dual licenses. The Championship has restructured its prize money offering too, paying down to 15th this year.
Series Promoter Johnny Douglas Hamilton said of the changes, “I think we realised that if Scotland is going to start producing a new crop of top racers then it is going have to happen for those Youth class riders in particular. It’s that crucial age between 13 and 17.
“Youth riders have always been able to compete in adult races (provided they are not taking place on the same day) if they have a dual license, which you can apply for at 15. Until now, we haven’t really seen any of our Youth riders taking up the challenge. Last year, it was only Rhys Whyment, Lewis Spratt and Matt Fernley that gave it a go, but this year, there are quite a few stepping up to MX2 on the Sunday.”
READ MORE: 2026 SCOTTISH MX CHAMPS ROUND 1 – PRO RIDER LISTS
Of the Youth riders taking the jump into MX1 this is Matt Ferley and 2024 Youth 250cc champion Charley Irwin from Ireland, and they will go up against the likes of 2024 Champion Brad Todd who is soon to be USA bound, Lexa MX’s Tristan Purdon, who always performs well in Scotland, Bobby Bruce on his new privateer Honda, Phoenix Tools Fantic Racing’s Carlton Husband, Absolute MX KTM’s Ben Edwards, Motocycle Racing’s Jason Meara and stalwarts Tony Craig and Ross Rutherford.
The elevation of the Youth riders into MX2 means the class is full and sees Malachi Allan, Lewis Spratt, Jaden Anderson, Alex McCrea, and Kian McGill, who are all racing Youth classes on the Saturday racing in the Pro races on the Sunday.
Reigning Champion Charlie Heyman on his SC Sporthomes Husqvarna is going to be the one to beat in the 250 class, but competition is strong, and he will have to watch out for the likes of Jamie Keith making his Pro debut, Scottish favourite John Adamson on the 2 Stroke Fantic, plus his Phoenix Tools Fantic Racing team mate Josh Vail. Joel Rizzi will also be an expected frontrunner as he moves back to the 250 for the SevenSeven Ride Kawasaki team, while Chambers Racing’s Glenn McCormick always performs well in Scotland. Lucy Barker will also be a racer to watch, being a multi-time European Women’s Champion and a rider expected to be battling for WMX podiums again in 2026.
Hayden Statt on his Chambers Racing machine is also an interesting addition to the MX2 class, riding a 125cc 2 Stroke against the bigger 4-stroke machines.
One rider who won’t be featured in MX2 just yet is 14-year-old Robbie Scott, who is not quite old enough to race in the Pro ranks, but he has been out on a 250cc 2-stroke KTM all winter and has been looking good. He turns 15 in April and will be in MX2 from Round 2 at Duns onwards.
Robbie skipped the Big Wheels and got graded up (by the federation) to race Youth 125cc when he was just 12. He won the title in his first attempt, and just missed out on last year’s title by 5 points to Liam Bell.
Robbie will be the strong favourite for this year’s Youth 125cc title.
Johnny said of Robbie’s potential, “In my personal opinion, he is the most naturally gifted rider in this new generation of Scottish kids, so I’m really fascinated to see how he rides the 250 2 stroke at Duns.”
Rhys Whyment and Malachi Allan are perhaps equally promising, but they are both very different to Robbie in style; they’re far more physical and athletic in how they ride the bike. It will be interesting to see how those contrasting styles will play out this year. Malachi has been riding 450 this winter, which just goes to show how strong he is for his age.
The Pro MX1 and MX2 classes will race together but will be scored separately, so expect a stacked gate of racers on the line in Tain, and it will be intriguing to see how the young guns fare against the more experienced riders.
The Track
Tain Motocross Track
IV19 1PE
Spectating
Spectators are welcome, and they can pay at the gate for a weekend wristband band which is £10. Under 12’s go FREE.
Catering and Toilets are on site.
Schedule
