Defending British indoor champions Tom Church and Neville Bradshaw will go head-to-head in the New Year when the all-new four-stop Arenacross tour kicks off.
Just one Pro championship is up for grabs this time around meaning Tom – the reigning 450cc champ – and 250cc title-holder Nev will be forced to slug it out if either is to lift the crown.
“I really want to defend my title again,” says Tom. “It was tough last year but I managed to do it and it could be even tougher this year with the line-up but we’ll see. I started training again about a month ago and riding and I’m really enjoying it. I will start AX practice next week and hopefully also use the facility in Wheeldon closer to the event.”
For 29-year-old Nev the Arenacross series can’t come too soon and he’s relishing the prospect of racing Tom and Elliott Banks-Browne who will also be in action.
“I’m really pumped to start racing again in January,” says the Northampton-based South African. “It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve been behind a gate. “With some great riders like Tom and Elliott entered I’m sure there’s going to be some fireworks going off so get your tickets booked!”
But it’s by no means going to be just a two-horse race – series promoter Events 22 is talking to a long list of top-flight racers and among the anticipated front-runners will be British outdoor MX2 champ Elliott Banks-Browne.
Although relatively inexperienced indoors, Elliott’s proven himself as a world-class act on a motocross track and is confident his skills will translate to the tighter, more spectacular confines of Arenacross racing.
“I’ve never really done a series of SX or Arenacross so I’m looking forward to it,” says the 22-year-old from Bury St Edmunds, “and I think I have as good a chance as anyone. I’m not going to put myself on the startline unless I’m there to win. I really enjoy the indoor stuff – it’s fun and I like the show of it all.”
