MotoGP ace Bradley Smith to return to two-stroke motocross

MotoGP world championship racer Bradley Smith will be making a return to motocross racing at the Apico 2-Stroke Festival at Sellindge MX in Kent on August 31-September 1.

The 28-year-old former youth motocross racer Bradley – the only rider to take a podium in all four classes of Grand Prix motorcycle road racing – races for the Aprilia factory team in MotoGP but saw some of his biggest successes on two-strokes, winning three 125cc GPs with 20 podiums.

“I stopped racing motocross in January 2005, but two-strokes were a huge part of my life from starting on a KX60 at six-years-old to winning my last 125 GP in Valencia in 2010,” said Smith.

“The 2-stroke Festival gives me a chance to get my competitive nature out of the box but also just enjoy a shared love for motocross and dirt bogies!”

The 2-Stroke event is now in its third year and harks back to the sights, sounds and smells of yesteryear with only two-strokes allowed in all classes. There are classes from youths on mini bikes to current pro racers on modern bikes, and even former GP stars on pre-1999 Super Evo and Evo bikes, bidding to win official ACU British championships. What’s more, spectator entry is free, where fans can get up close to the riders in the open paddock.

“This is exactly what the Apico 2-Stroke Festival is all about,” said event organiser Dave Willet.

“It’s designed to get that buzz going and two-stroke juices flowing, encouraging old and new two-stroke riders to join in and compete.

“We want riders to relate back to those glory days of listening to a two-Stroke fire into life and create that feeling for the youth, too. The smell of premix and sound of two-strokes lasts for a lifetime. And that’s why Bradley Smith has decided to compete at the festival.

“To be able to have one of Britain’s best motorcycle racers want to compete on the dirt again is a huge credit to him and the festival. He’s got a manic schedule yet he’s keen to reminisce and ride with fellow smoker addicts.”

For more information visit the Apico 2-Stroke Festival website.

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