Matterley Basin, in the United Kingdom, will this weekend host the season opener of the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championships.
Delayed a week due to the storm and particularly the high winds that lashed the circuit near Winchester, the entire motocross community is fizzing at the bung to get things underway at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
This will be the 12th time in history that Matterley Basin will host the British GP and the entire paddock is eager to get this season underway and see who will top the podium by the end of Sunday’s races.
In 2022, we welcome back the two-day format which means the incredible action will be spread across two days, with MXGP and MX2 qualifying races making their return.
This also means that fans will also get to enjoy the support classes across two days, with the first races taking place on Saturday and more racing on Sunday.
As better weather starts rolling into the south of England, the forecast for the UK this weekend sees a lot of sunshine and slightly higher temperatures.
Event promoter Steve Dixon is one of the most positive people in the GP paddock and his work to make sure this GP came with a lot of help.
“I was truly blown away by all the hard work from everyone and the offers of support to help out this week, not only to turn Matterley from a blown wreck to a GP track again, but by the support of every fan, we have run through all sorts of conditions, but it was the best decision. I am truly sorry there are people that have lost out this weekend but running this weekend has truly saved the future of the British GP.”
Of course, all the riders returned home to continue their preparation for the first round of 2022, and one rider who is still excited for the British GP is home rider Ben Watson.
Watson also felt for the many who suffered loss because of the storm that caused the postponement of the GP.
“The pre-season was good,” Watson said. “It was all focused on funnelling me into my home GP at Matterley Basin. I wanted to race here as much for the fans as myself.
“Mentally I have been counting down to the first MXGP and now I have to re-set my focus and start that preparation process again. But it’s not like the racing is cancelled, it’s only been delayed by a week so the UK fans will still get to see the first GP event of the new Kawasaki Racing Team and me riding the factory KX450-SR.
“The organisers have done a great job in tough circumstances. My heart goes out to all those in the UK affected by this huge storm and, like KRT, I hope everyone can fix the damage and rebuild.”
In the past many GPs have seen bad weather cause some postponements or cancellations and speaking to British legend Dave Thorpe, the three-time 500cc World champion explained his memory from a cold day in April back in the 1980s.
“I remember it well,” Thorpe said. “It was Payerne, in Switzerland, and it was in April. It isn’t often a Grand Prix gets cancelled, but that can happen with we are racing against the elements of weather.”
However, we all know the British fans come out in numbers, be it rain, sunshine or snow.
Words by Geoff Meyer
Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here