Apico 2-Stroke rings the changes

The Apico 2-Stroke Festival, featuring the Red Bull Pro Stroke National is ringing the changes for 2023 with a substantially increased cash and product prize fund, more racing for club standard riders, unique ‘glory day’ classes and increased exposure for youth riders.

The organising club aims to offer something to all levels of motocross rider at its two-day event to be held over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of July at Sellindge in Kent. It already has a great track record of being popular with riders of all ages and abilities and intends to improve on that this year.

For the grass-roots rider, there are MX1 and MX2 Clubman Open groups, which could encourage those regular track day riders to get stuck in and have a go at racing within the same programme as national and international Pro level racers.

Then there’s the Red Bull Noughties, which forms an exciting part of the Apico 2-Stroke Festival, delivering a unique class of 2-stroke motocross machines from the glory years of 2000-2008. These machines are something special – a real blast from the past. Anyone owning a machine from this era will love this class, where banging old-school 2-stroke racing meets modern-day technology.

The Apico Over 40s Open 2-Stroke is another class that is all about having fun, rather than flat-out speed. Plus, there’ll be spot prizes allocated across all groups. Whether the rider is out front, in the middle, or towards the back of the pack – all competitors will be in with a chance of being rewarded.

Two lucky riders contesting the Youth groups will have the chance to become Leatt-supported riders and scoop a prize with a value of £2,500. And, if there is enough interest and entries booked in the 85cc sector, the small and big wheel classes will run separately, giving the younger riders the chance to shine on track.

Finally, when the big guns roll out, the riders seeking victory in the Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals on the second day of the Festival weekend, have an even greater incentive to get on the leaderboard, as promoter Dave Willet has doubled the prize fund with a £12,000.00 pot of cash up for grabs across both MX1 and MX2 classes. A meaty £800 per race – two per class/per day – will be available to the winner. with prize money paid down to £100 per race for 10th.

Allowing all riders to be part of the Festival has been an important element of the event for organiser Willet; “We want everyone to race safe and feel comfortable while doing so. We feel that, with our range of classes, we’re catering for all and believe we are setting the scene for some great racing. What’s more, with the latest development for the Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals, we believe we’re providing the biggest prize fund for a single one-day motocross competition in the UK. That’s progress!”

Entries are available via a link on the Apico 2-Stroke Festival website. Classes are filling up quickly, with some close to capacity.

Classes – Saturday and Sunday:

ACU British 125 two-stroke

ACU British Open two-stroke

ACU British Evo two-stroke

ACU British Super Evo two-stroke

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX1

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX2

Red Bull Noughties (age 25 + machine year 2000/2008)

Over 40s Open 2- stroke

Youth 125

Youth 250F

Youth BW/SW85

Sunday only:

Red Bull Pro Stroke National MX1/MX2

ENTER HERE from just £62.50.

Youth MX receives £5K Leatt boost

Leatt invests in Apico 2-Stroke Festival Youth classes.

 

The Apico 2-Stroke Festival, featuring the Red Bull Pro Stroke National, is picking up speed as it approaches the seventh running of the annual two-day race event.

Top riders from motocross and road racing have already confirmed their participation, an industry-leading prize fund has been announced and giants, such as Leatt, from the accessories, clothing and aftermarket sectors have pledged their support.

The Festival will take place over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of July at Sellindge in Kent, where two lucky riders competing in the 85cc and 125cc Apico Youth classes will be selected to become Leatt-supported athletes.

Each winner will receive Leatt kit with a retail value of £2,500. The products, which will include a Leatt helmet, goggles, race kit and boots, are guaranteed to be delivered to the Apico 2-Stroke Festival Leatt Youth Athlete within four weeks after the event.

The judges will not be looking for those competitors who simply win on the track. They will consider a number of factors before awarding this considerable prize, such as how the young racers conduct themselves off the racetrack, how they represent themselves, their team and families, their respect for fellow competitors and officials, their care for their machine, etc. In short, the riders selected will portray the very best of UK youth motocross.

“This is the sixth year we have had the privilege of working with Leatt to find the best youth ambassadors for the sport,” said the Festival’s promoter, Dave Willet. “We’re looking for those riders who are, dare I say, the all-round package. Yes, of course, we all want to be at the front of the field and winning races, but these Leatt Ambassadors will be more than that. We’ll be looking at their social skills as well as their racecraft.

“We’re encouraging all riders to get their entries in now and start posting their 2-Stroke Festival thoughts and ambitions. We can then help to raise their individual profiles by sharing their relevant social posts, and we’ll also feature them on our social channels.”

The Apico Youth classes cover;

Youth BW85

Youth SW85

Youth 125

CLICK HERE to enter from just £62.50. 

Pictured: Youth MX riders will get a Leatt boost at the Apico 2-Stroke Festival.

Re-live the glory days and sign up for Red Bull Noughties

The Red Bull Noughties forms an exciting part of the Apico 2-Stroke Festival delivering a unique class of 2-stroke motocross machines from the glory years of 2000-2008.

These machines are something special – a real blast from the past. If you own a machine from this era you’ll love this class and entries are OPEN!

The sound, the smell, the vibe .. the Red Bull Naughties offers an intoxicating cocktail that mixes banging old-school 2-stroke racing with modern-day technology, and fun!!

Sign up for this unique 2-Stroke Festival class and experience what the Red Bull Noughties is all about.

Apico 2-Stroke Festival ups the stakes with sizeable prize fund!

The Apico 2-Stroke Festival, which also features the Red Bull Pro-Stroke Nationals, heads to the south east this July with arguably the largest reward fund for a one-off motocross event in the UK.

Running over the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July, the event at Sellindge, Kent is gearing up for a full-on two days of top-class motocross action.

As the name suggests, there’ll be a host of racing for two-stroke riders of all ages, abilities and bikes, including full ACU British two-stroke championship titles in the 125, Open and Evo/Super Evo classes. This is the heart of the racing at the Apico 2-Stroke Festival, where top riders mix it with clubmen, amateurs and youths.

On Sunday the intensity increases when the Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals gets underway, giving riders the choice to race two-stroke or four-stroke bikes, and is already pulling in the UK’s leading motocross protagonists. Both reigning British MX1 and MX2 champions Tommy Searle and Conrad Mewse, together with Mel Pocock and other top British Championship contenders have signed for what is quickly becoming one of the UK’s biggest stand-alone motocross events. Both champs contested the event last year; Searle emerged victorious, with Mewse runner-up.

Upping the stakes and potentially making the event even more attractive to riders yet to sign up, a substantial prize fund has been confirmed with a total of £15,000 available to competitors across all classes. Meanwhile, product and brand spot prizes further increase the rewards pot with high-value goods on offer to the tune of £6,000.

On the Youth side of things, classes will cater for 250F, 125 and 85s. The 85cc classes in particular are seeing strong line ups and if the interest continues with early entries confirmed, the Festival’s organiser Dave Willet has confirmed he will run separate classes for big-wheel and small-wheel 85s thereby giving riders in each class the chance to be out front on track in their respective classes.

Elsewhere there’ll be an Electric Zone with a range of environmentally-friendly youth and adult bikes on display with a selection available to try out. Also on the have-a-go front, Traxxas, the fastest name in ready-to-Race nitro and electric radio controlled vehicles, will have products on display and available for Festival-goers to try out.

Classes – Saturday and Sunday:

ACU British 125 two-stroke

ACU British Open two-stroke

ACU British Evo two-stroke

ACU British Super Evo two-stroke

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX1

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX2

Red Bull Noughties (age 25 + machine year 2000/2008)

Over 40s Open 2- stroke  

Youth 250F

Youth 125

Youth BW/SW85

Sunday only:

Red Bull Pro Stroke National MX1/MX2 On-line booking is now available for all classes via the booking link HERE!

British Champs sign for Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals

The Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals has signed both reigning British MX1 and MX2 champions Tommy Searle and Conrad Mewse, for the south east’s leading motocross event at Kent this July.

The announcement, fittingly made ahead of the Coronation weekend when the whole country will celebrate the ‘best of British’, confirms the importance the UK’s top pro riders place on the two-day ACU Apico 2-Stroke Festival. Both riders contested the event in 2022 and finished as Champion and Vice-Champion. With the battle lines drawn, and Searle hailing from Kent, the racing at the Sellindge track on Sunday the 23rd of July is set to go down to the wire.

There will be spot prizes across all classes and, thanks to additional support from title partner Apico, the prize fund is set to be substantial, adding even more value to the hugely-popular mid-summer race fest.

On-line booking is now available for all classes which cater for a wide range of rider and machine abilities.

Saturday and Sunday:

ACU British 125 two-stroke

ACU British Open two-stroke

ACU British Evo two-stroke

ACU British Super Evo two-stroke

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX1

Red Bull Pro Stroke National Clubman MX2

Red Bull Noughties (age 25 + machine year 2000/2008)

Over 40s Open 2- stroke

Youth 125

Youth 250F

Youth BW/SW85

Sunday only:

Red Bull Pro Stroke National MX1/MX2

CLICK HERE for Rider Entries!

 

Pictured: #100 Tommy Searle.

Michelin joins the Apico 2-Stroke Festival

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/

Putoline support for Apico 2-Stroke Festival series

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

Posted by 2 Stroke Festival on Tuesday, 16 April 2019

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.

Image by Adam Duckworth

UK Youth talent sign-up for the Apico 2-Stroke Festival

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.

Check out their latest team video below.

Revo Husqvarna Youth MX Team 2019

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

Posted by Husqvarna Motorcycles UK on Friday, 28 December 2018

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/

Apico Dream Ride 85cc winner Jack Grayshon is moving up to race the 125 Class

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/