Two new 250cc motocross series are being set up by Honda, using CRF250R machinery and starting in 2024.
The two series’ are both aimed at the same riders - adult riders at amateur and clubman level - but will take place in different series. One will take place in what is currently known as the UK MX Nationals but which will become the Fastest 40 British Motocross Championship, and the other will be organised by the Amateur Motorcycle Association (AMCA), taking place as part of its UK championships. The Fastest 40 series will have three motos contested on each weekend of the 2024 championship.
Qualification for the AMCA series must be achieved by any rider wishing to take part via their regular, regional event. About the qualification process, a Honda press release reads: “As well as scoring in their usual race classes, AMCA Honda CRF250R riders will also be scored separately and points awarded. Then the best five or six CRF250R riders per region will be invited to contest the eight-round AMCA championship in the one-make Honda CRF250R Cup class.”
The decision of which series - Fastest 40 or AMCA - to participate in is entirely down to the riders, but in each case there are new bikes up for grabs. While it is necessary to provide your own Honda CRF250R (MY21 or later) to take part in the series in the first place, four new Honda CRF250R motorcycles are being put up by Honda as prizes for the series’. Each series’ winner will receive a bike, and one per series will be awarded, Honda says, “to a rider who is judged by a panel of experts to show not only talent but determination, effort, sportsmanship, social media coverage and other great qualities over the season.”
An additional prize is available at each round of each series, with a special edition red Fly Racing helmet awarded “to the rider who demonstrates exceptional effort, which they will wear until the end of the season,” Honda says.
Fly Racing is also involved at the dealership. Anyone who buys a new Honda CRF250R from an official Honda dealer will receive a free ‘Race Pack’, including a set of Honda CRF-branded Fly Racing kit, a holeshot device for the bike, and what Honda describes as a “care package” from Motul Oils.
Further, buyers of a new Honda CRF250R from an official Honda dealer will be automatically invited to a training day with free tuition from 2023 British MX1 Champion and Crendon Fastrack Honda rider Conrad Mewse, and three-time 500cc Motocross World Champion Dave Thorpe.
About the new series, Thorpe said: “This is great news for British motocross as riders of the Honda CRF250R can compete in prestigious championships on their own bike and be in with a chance of winning a brand new machine.
“We know the bike is incredible, and now with the added support and exposure of these classes, plus guidance and coaching from riders like Conrad Mewse, this is a unique opportunity for UK Honda riders to get ahead.
“Honda is investing into grass roots racing and this is just the start of what will be a five-year plan that ultimately, could see a talented racer join my team in the British championships. I’m very happy and proud to be involved with this great new initiative.”
Honda UK Off Road Sales Manager Graham Foster-Vigors said: “Honda UK has set up this initiative to give Honda riders the chance to progress under the wing of a manufacturer, whether they are stepping up from junior ranks, or looking for extra competitive quality racing within existing national championships.
“And in the next phase, the ultimate goal will to be to nurture future British talent, to qualify for an introduction into our professional race team. It’s great to keep our team partners involved as this exciting project will see us encourage grass roots participation, with some amazing prizes on offer.”
Honda says the idea for the UK-based CRF250R Cup came from the CRF150R Cup, which ran as part of the European Motocross Championship (EMX) between 2013 and 2017. Its 2017 champion, Andrea Adamo, is currently leading the MX2 World Championship for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Adamo will partner Alberto Forato and Mattia Guadagnini for Team Italy at the Motocross of Nations next month in Ernee, France, the former of those two also being a CRF150R Cup graduate (as was last year’s EMX250 champion, and current Yamaha MX2 rider Rick Elzinga).
Head to the Honda website to find out more about the Honda CRF250R, and to find your nearest dealer.
