Round three of the 2019 Judd KTM British Youth Championship took place at FatCat Motoparc and with the practise and race circuits getting combined to create one ‘super-circuit’, the scene was set for some red-hot race action. It didn’t disappoint.
The deep sand track – widely known as one of the toughest circuits in the country – was a daunting challenge for the Auto racers, but the 50cc rippers took it all in their stride.
Coming into the weekend all eyes were on Robbie Daly – the Judd Orange Brigade rider has been the one to beat so far this season, having won every moto at rounds one and two of the championship. However that streak came to an end at round three.
After taking pole position in Saturday morning’s qualifying, Daly looked to be in fighting form. Then the gate dropped for moto one and it became clear we had a new contender in the shape of Brian Gyles who had been practising hard at the Doncaster track in recent weeks and that really played dividends.
Gyles shot out of the gate in the opening moto to take the lead and he never needed to look back – his speed and confidence around the tough, technical circuit took him to an impressive gate-to-flag win to become only the second Auto rider in 2019 to earn a race win.
The young gun went on to complete a perfect weekend, going five for five to take the overall as Daly’s weekend went from disappointing to disastrous.
After two second-place rides on Saturday he was looking to bounce back on Sunday but two freak bike problems in races three and four totally derailed his weekend, before he claimed a runner-up spot in race five.
He still leads the championship but now by 11 points from Lucas Lee, who had a solid weekend to claim second step on the podium ahead of Riley-Ray Barrow who battled hard throughout.
The fighting was fierce in the 65 class with eight different riders on the podium over the five races.
Jayden Jones was only able to race on the Sunday which seriously hurt his overall hopes but his rides in races three, four and five were seriously impressive.
Reece Jones really has established himself as the one to watch in the 65s and he charged to four wins out of five thanks to his fast starts and bullish riding style.
Brandon Buckley was the only rider to beat Jones to the flag as he took the win in race two but crashes on Sunday kept Buckley off the podium.
Kayden Boyd came out swinging in race one to nail second place and he used that momentum to secure four more solid results and second overall.
The consistent Freddie Gardiner claimed the final step on the overall podium.
The battle for the Small-Wheel 85 championship is turning into a two-horse race, with Finley Evans and Tyla Hooley scrapping it out at the front.
There were plenty of thrills, spills and epic racing throughout the field, though, in what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting classes to watch.
Saturday belonged to Hooley, who took the opening race win ahead of McKenzie Marshall and Finley Evans.
Evans came out strongly in moto two with Hooley hot on his heels and after a great race-long scrap Hooley made a pass stick to take the race win by inches.
Evans bounced back to take the race three win ahead of Hooley and Shaun Mahoney, while race four was as drama-filled and chaotic as motocross racing can get.
Hooley found himself on the deck after a massive first-lap crash and though he fought hard to claw his way back to 11th place, the result really hurt his overall chances.
Out front Evans looked to capitalise on his rival’s misfortune but a mistake dropped him back into the pack and after Evans also had a big crash which knocked him down to ninth at the flag Billy Askew claimed his first race win in the class.
Race five was a lot more subdued with Evans taking the win ahead of Askew and Kelly.
Evans claimed the overall, with Hooley and class rookie Askew joining them on the box.
Charlie Heyman was the one to beat in the Big-Wheels last weekend, as the SJP Husqvarna ace showed why he already has two British titles to his name.
He was virtually unstoppable around FatCat, coming out all guns blazing in race one to take the win from Bailey Johnston, who worked hard to keep Sam Atkinson at bay.
Atkinson threw down the gauntlet with the win in race two but once racing started on Sunday there really was no stopping Heyman.
He took the final three race wins in dominant fashion, with Atkinson’s race win giving him just enough points to see off Johnston for second overall.
Reigning Big-Wheel 85 British champion Jack Grayshon showed how to ride FatCat and crossed the line as first 125 rider in all five races – also beating all of the Open class 250 four-stroke riders in the Combined race.
Preston Williams was the model of consistency with five second-place finishes, his best ride coming in race five as he battled with Dom Lancett all moto.
James Smith rounded out the 125 class podium with four third-place finishes.
Max Ingham looked keen to bring the fight to Lancett in the Open class, as the Manxman posted the fastest lap in qualifying and led the way early in race one.
However a slight lapse in concentration saw him over-jump a double and land hard, damaging his ankle and Dom Lancett was able to capitalise to take the first four race wins in the Open class.
Ingham showed his potential in the fifth and final race of the weekend as he got off to a good start and looked to chase down the flying Jack Grayshon.
Lancett sat back and settled for second behind Ingham knowing the overall was already his.
Ingham earned second overall with his final-moto win, with Jack Roberts third overall.
What’s next for 2019 Judd KTM British Youth Championship?
We have over a month to wait for the next round of the series when the young ‘uns head to Northern Ireland on August 17/18 for the epic sand track of Desertmartin.
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