January 13th, 2017.



2016 British QX Champion, Mark McLernon, and the man he deposed, Paul Holmes, will go head-to-head again in 2017, with both men now having confirmed their entry for this year’s series.

Last year the pair staged an epic scrap which saw them win three rounds and seven heats apiece, before McLernon clinched the title by just five points in the very last race of the last round at Canada Hights.

An added twist to this year’s battle is a switch from Honda to Yamaha for McLernon, which means both men will now be on similar machines.

McLernon made his debut on the YFZ450 Yamaha at Pont de Vaux last year, where he was one of the front-runners against Europe’s best.

Several of last year’s other front-runners are also confirmed for this year’s series, including heat winner George Callaway, former British Champion Justin Reid and ex-British X-Country champion Carl Bunce.

The six-round series starts this year at Desertmartin in Northern Ireland on the 1st of April, and Series Co-Coordinator, Stuart Walker, has confirmed that there is likely to be full line-up at the former Grand Prix MX track.

“Three quarters of the permanent places available in the 2017 Championship are already confirmed, and there is always a strong line-up of Wildcards for the Irish round,” he said.

“Riders who are planning to contest the 2017 Championship but who have not registered so far do need to pull their finger out, as we are not far off being full.”

Riders and spectators who wish to travel by vehicle to Ireland are reminded that Stena Line is offering a 20% discount for people travelling to Desertmartin for bookings made before the end of January. Make your booking through Nutt Travel. Tel 028 7035 1199.

Walker is also still on the hunt for sponsors for some of the championship rounds. If you can help, please call him on 0734 0007777.

Full details of the Championship can be found via the NORA MX club website at www.nora-mx.org.uk.


Pictured: Mark McLernon leads the British Championship field at Desertmartin in 2016