Dates
14th April – Canada Heights – Sidcup & District Motorcycle Club
1st June – Culham – East Anglia Schoolboy Scramble Club
2nd June – Culham – East Anglia Schoolboy Scramble Club
30th June – Landrake – South West Off Road
28th July – Blaxhall – Woodbridge & District Motorcycle Club
11th August – Fatcats – East Anglia Schoolboy Scramble Club
13th October – Lyng – Norwich Viking Motorcycle Club
The big shake up for Navy motocross over this winter was the need to use ACU organised events in 2019. This would create difficulties with the team pushing a nationally run championship to compete at. The only national ACU championships are Maxxis and Judd. One being for professionals and the other for youth, therefore neither would be suitable.
The main challenge would be to organise a series that utilises ACU affiliated clubs. As well as attracting competitors from the Army and RAF to compete at an Inter-Service Championship. A championship would need to include national venues to ensure that it was fair for all service personnel.
With that in mind, the 2019 schedule was formed by utilising venues used by the British Maxxis Championship. This will allow Royal Navy, and hopefully UK Armed Forces, motocross riders the opportunity to compete at some of the country’s premier race tracks.
Team Manager
Royal Marines Warrant Officer Bill Callister manages both the Motocross Team and Enduro Team, as well as a busy workload and family life as a husband and father. His dedication to two-wheel racing is clear to see with the work he has accomplished throughout the entire Motorsport Association.
Team Riders
Nick Carbury
Behind every good manager is a hard working subordinate. For the RNRMMXT that comes in the form of assistant team manager Nick Carbury. Nick comes into 2019 as the defending Royal Navy Motocross Champion, after taking the title for the first time in 2018. Also the reigning Royal Marines Motocross Champion, he has won 4 of the previous 5 seasons since joining the team in 2014. After managing the team from 2016 through to 2017, Nick stepped back to the assistant role when Bill came in as the team manager in 2018. Showing good form at the first team event in February, Nick comes into the 2019 season as favourite for the title. The 27 year old from South Wales had this to say-
It’s a shame the team won’t compete at a national championship in 2019. I enjoyed the challenge of competing at a higher level over the past few seasons, and the Acerbis Amateur Nationals is well organised.
However, the opportunity is still available to compete at some of the best venues in the UK this year. That’s good for Navy motocross. Hopefully we’ll be able to entice some of the Army and RAF riders to come and compete too.
Personally, I’m coming into 2019 with the aim of winning both championships again. It will be hard work. There are a lot of quick guys coming through into the team this year. That being said, I feel like I’m riding well at the moment, so confidence is high.
Adam Figgins
Quite possibly Nick Carbury’s biggest challenge for 2019 comes in the form of Adam Figgins. After joining the team in 2014, the RN Officer would win the Navy Motocross Championship for 4 consecutive years. Adam’s 2018 season was plagued by a series of injuries, leaving him with very little opportunity to race. With a new year and Landrake on the schedule, the 30 year old’s favourite track, Adam is a serious contender this year. The Honda CRF450 mounted rider commented-
I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike this year, and riding some top level tracks. Having done a national series with the team over the past few years, it will be good to head to some of the other British standard tracks to see how they run. Landrake will also be good- I always enjoy racing there.
Piers Stanley
Piers would join the team in 2018, and immediately make an impact. The ever-smiling 19 year old would inject some much needed youth into the team. Competing in half of the Acerbis Amateur National rounds available in 2018, Piers would secure a strong 3rd place in the Royal Navy Motocross Championship in his debut season. Further honours would come his way by means of the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award. Although the submarine engineer has a fast paced work schedule, Piers is sure to get in some good racing.
Josh Dale
Josh has had a rough ride since joining the team towards the latter stages of 2017. His first two events would not see him get past the first race unscathed. It would not be until July 2018, Josh’s debut at an Acerbis Amateur National round, where he would make it through the entire weekend and finish every race. Unfortunately, Josh would miss the remainder of 2018. However duty calls when the HMS Queen Elizabeth requires manpower. With the promise of putting together a solid year on his 2006 CR125, Josh would comment-
I’m looking forward to getting some rounds in this year, and hopefully make an impact on the Navy Championship. It was good to join the team a little while ago and learn how things run. Now I feel like I’m in a good place to be competitive in the series.
Luke Rudd
In contrast to Josh, Luke’s arrival on the team was nothing but a personal success. Joining in the early stages of 2018, Luke would complete just one event due to heavy work commitments. The 21 year old Royal Marine from Hereford would represent the Navy competing against the RAF. Luke would finish 1st, 2nd, and 2nd, for a 1st overall on the day in his debut for the team. Although his favourite track, Hawkstone, isn’t on the schedule for 2019, Luke could play the spoiler in the championships.
Tristan Lethaby
After joining the team in 2014, the RN Chief Petty Officer returns to compete in 2019 after missing a few years. The 37 year old will look to contend for a championship podium this year following on from his 3rd in the 2014 Royal Navy Motocross Championship. Showing success early this year as a pre-season round in February would see him take 3rd overall. Tristan is another rider pleased the series is taking the team to Landrake, as it is also his favourite track. The KTM rider from Plymouth expresses his views-
The opportunities for service personnel to compete for the Royal Navy at local and national events is much appreciated. Especially with the support of external agencies. Representing the Royal Navy is a great honour, and a great opportunity to showcase motorsport within the services.
Chris Lewis
Having signed onto the team in 2018, Chris would wait until February this year to compete for the first time. It would be a debut to forget for the 26 year old in the mud of Little Silver. A burnt out clutch in practice on one of the steep hills would see an early end to his day. Chris joins Josh in the 2006 125 club, but on his Suzuki RM. With a full year planned, there’s plenty of opportunity for the man from Taunton to make an impact.
Ellis Murray
New to the scene this year is fresh-faced teenager Ellis. At 18 years old, he already holds the title of youngest team member. The young man is currently finishing his Phase 2 Naval Training. Ellis joins the team after gaining success with his local clubs in Cumbria. The entire team is excited to have him join, and to see what he can achieve on his FC350. He’s quoted saying-
I’m really happy to be part of the team and hoping for strong consistent results throughout the season. The team made me feel really welcome when joining, and I wish them all the best of luck for 2019.
Sam Hewitt
Joining Ellis as a new member to the team this year is 25 year old Sam. The Brookthorpe local would have been hoping to have a round on his doorstep. However the Royal Marine from Gloucester will be keen to make a mark on the Navy series. Especially after having previously raced BSMA and AMCA.
Summary
The Royal Navy Royal Marines Motocross Team is always looking for new members. No matter what standard of rider, if you’re eager to represent your service then please get in touch.
The RNRMMXT would like to thank the Royal Navy Royal Marines Motorsport Association for giving us the opportunity to represent the RN and RM at the sport we love, as well as the support we receive from the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, the Royal Marines Charity, and the RN & RM Sports Lottery.
Along with the support we receive from team sponsors-
Fuchs Silkolene
DQMX Dunlop
Talon Engineering
Danger UK
Forcefield Bodyarmour
Hel Performance
Thirty4Racing
