Fantastic rider line-up to race on Good Friday – remembering Mark Hucklebridge and Mike Brown

The annual Mike Brown Memorial race held on Good Friday at the Marshfield track in Wiltshire was born out of tragedy when Mike Brown was killed in an industrial accident in 1988. The Bristol racer left a widow and young family, so the first race was organised as a fundraiser to help them financially and remember Mike’s life. The race has become an annual feature, run by the Marshfield AMCA club, and as Mike’s family have grown, so the race has evolved into a reunion of old friends and motocross fans.

Further tragedy befell the Marshfield MX community when local boy Mark Hucklebridge passed away in 2017 at just 37 years old following a long battle with cancer. ‘Huck’ grew up in Marshfield and had been part of the MJ Church/ Molson Kawasaki squad racing in the British championships and GPs in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Ever the fighter, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer he set up the Friends of Huck charity to help other riders who had suffered life-changing injuries.

Now in its 29th year, the Mike Brown memorial old friends race and Friends of Huck race has become one of the biggest events on the south west motocross calendar. Mike’s younger brother, Alan Brown and his son Tom run the local Kawasaki dealership Motoxtreme and were also lifelong sponsors of Huck. For them, the event is a personal tribute to their loved ones and a focal point for the year.

This year’s feature race for the Huck Trophy and £500 per race prize money will see former MXGP star Josh Coppins come out of retirement to line up alongside a host of former GP racers including Stephen Sword, Tom Church, Nev Bradshaw, Brian Wheeler, James Noble, Mark Jones and Adam Lyons. Last year’s winner Luke Hawkins again lines up with local 125 specialist Jon May, and current Rob Hooper Yamaha riders Kristian Whatley and Ryan Houghton. Further top riders are expected to be added as the race gets closer.

The Mike Brown Memorial race sees a host of former AMCA championship racers line up to relive their former battles. Mike’s brother Alan will be joined by Mike Church, Barry Poolman, Mark McGill and Richard Vincent all trying to turn the clock back plus a full line-up of old friends with paracetamol and Ralgex at the ready as they try squeezing into their motocross pants for their annual race. Despite their advancing years, there’s usually some great racing from the ‘old guys’.

The Buzby cup, to commemorate Paul ‘Buzby’ Coombs, will be awarded to the hardest charger across the two feature races so there plenty to play for.

A full program of Junior, Senior and Expert races completes the entertainment, with stalls, refreshments, and a beer tent for just £5 entry fee.

The race takes place at the Marshfield track, signposted from the A420 Bristol to Chippenham road on Good Friday (March 30).

Full details are on the Mike Brown Memorial 2018 Facebook page, with rider announcements and a list of the sponsors who make the event possible.