Wembley may well be the home of football, but this Saturday 18th it will become the home of Arenacross as round two of the ACU British Arenacross championship tour calls in at the iconic OVO Wembley Arena.
England’s capital has hosted plenty of the Arenacross races, in fact, it hosted the very first at the O2 Arena back in 2013 and there’s been plenty of drama over the last decade after it moved to Wembley Arena, most notably the epic showdown for the title in 2016 between Thomas Ramette and Cedric Soubeyras. It was also where the current champion, Jack Brunell, clinched his first title after ten years of trying and in doing so also gave Stark Future Racing their first title in their first year of trying, making history as the first electric powered bike to win a major championship.
Wembley is a special place for Brunell, not only because he wrapped up his first title there, but also because it’s his local event as he lives just down the M4 at Windsor.
“Yeah, last time out Wembley was a great night, one of the best of my life’ recalls Brunell. “It’s my local race and obviously I had a lot of family and friends come out to watch me finally get it done and I’m hoping for the same this weekend. Obviously last time I didn’t win the final but won the championship. This time I’m going for the win; I have to as Birmingham didn’t go to plan and I’ve got to get back in the championship hunt. I’ll have a lot of family and friends there again, so I hope to give them a good night and get it done.”
Another local racer is Apico Factory Racing’s Tom Grimshaw who loves just 30 minutes away in St. Albans. This is Tom’s first season racing Arenacross and he’s relishing it so far, after watching a few races from the comfort of his seat in the crowd down the years he’s excited to get to Wembley after his first taste of racing Arenacross at Birmingham. Although he didn’t make the final at round one he acquitted himself well on his debut.
“I don’t know what I am more excited about, the racing or the 25-minute drive to the arena!” says Tom. “I’m really looking forward to Wembley, my home round. I have sold 50 plus tickets to friends and family, but I can’t let that get on top of me, I’ve got to stay focused on the goal, which is logging laps, building confidence and overall having a good time with my Apico Honda team. I really enjoyed the experience at Birmingham and I’m glad I’ve finally committed to racing Arenacross, hopefully over the next few years we’ll get more British motocross championship riders looking to race it.”
Of course, Arenacross is not just for the pros; there’s also youth and amateur classes and there’s also two regional riders to London who look set to be gracing the pro ranks one day. John Slade in the Super Mini class and Raife Broadley in the Amateurs, both already previous AX champions.
Like his training partner and mentor, Jack Brunell, Wembley has real significance for ‘Little’ John who races for the S.Briggs Commercials team. “I really love the crowd as it’s my home race and a lot of my friends and family are in the stands. It’s special to me as Wembley was the first Arenacross event I watched live and now I’m racing it. Last year I won the 65cc mini title so I really want to win the Super mini title this year, so if I can win at Wembley that would be great. I’ll definitely be giving 100%.”
Like the others, Raife is keen to get stuck in and is looking forward to another successful Wembley appearance. “I can’t wait to ride Wembley this weekend, it’s always such a buzz. The track map looks great with more technical sections this time. I’ve got some friends coming out who have surprised me by buying tickets, so it’s cool that they’re coming and even more so that they didn’t ask me to blag tickets! I’m feeling happy that I’ve got some good people there giving me support. I’m feeling ready after my win at Birmingham and hopefully I can add another trophy to the collection.”
At every round of the Arenacross Tour, the youth and amateur riders bring so much to the event and often lay on racing equally as entertaining as the pro racers and Wembley will be no exception. In the Mini class Mason Staddon leads the way after his double race win in Birmingham ahead of Preston Killoran and Mason Sheilds. In the Super Mini class, George Cherry also went 1-1 being pushed all the way by John Slade who will be amped to turn the tables. Third went to Elvis Totney who will be in the building at Wembley. The 125cc Futures class is a great watch and super competitive at the sharp end. Victory at Birmigham went to Isaac Ash by virtue of his better second race over last year’s Super Mini champion, Harry Lee, meaning the two are tied on points coming into this weekend’s event. Third placed Zane Stephens is more than capable of putting his retro Yellow S.Briggs Yamaha on top of the box to make it a three-way battle. In the Amateur class Raife Broadley will be looking to make it two on the spin and edge out his points lead over AX debutant Louis Brookes and Sion Talbot who took second and third at the opening round in Birmingham.
Add the heat of the pro riders, a healthy dollop of FMX for extra spice and garnish with lights and sound and the OVO Arena, Wembley will once again be a hot pot feast of action for the senses and unlike what sometimes goes on in the adjacent stadium, one thing is for sure, there will be no magic bucket and sponge for a knock on the shin or competitors throwing themselves to the floor like they’ve been shot to try and gain an advantage. When these athletes hit the ground, it’s for real…and it hits harder!
