PLEWS TYRES BRITISH MASTERS Powered by ROCK OIL
ROUND 3 – WROXTON, BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE
Event Preview: Chris CZORA
Images: Courtesy of Reminiscent Imagery and Plews Tyres British Masters
Conrad Mewse could secure his first championship title of 2026 on Sunday, as the third round of the Plews Tyres British Masters Motocross Championship, powered by Rock Oil moves to the spectacular Wroxton circuit near Banbury for round three.
Mewse heads the Fix Auto UK Pro ‘Triple Crown’, with a perfect season thus far, having taken clean sweep victories at FatCat and Hawkstone Park. Leading his Crendon / Tru 7 Honda team-mate Jamie Carpenter by 18 points, a good finish in the first moto will likely give him the championship at the spectacular Oxfordshire circuit. The Pro action headlines what looks set to be a spectacular and busy weekend of racing, as the youth and amateur classes approach the half way point of the season.
For those who don’t like sand in their boots this will be certainly one for the calendar, being the first hardpack round of the season. Fast and flowing, the excellently prepared circuit features some sweeping hills and fast jumps, and in terms of high preparation and circuit layout is reminiscent of an old-school French international track. With the crowds lining up on the favoured hillside viewing points it creates a natural grandstand as the riders charge around the rolling hillsides.
Wroxton has faced a difficult existence in recent years, local planning disputes and court challenges keeping racing away from the venue for many years. But following a successful return to last year’s championship, Wroxton returns once again this season and much like the old days, has quickly become a firm favourite with riders and spectators.
Headlining the event is the aforementioned Fix Auto UK Pro Class, where Conrad Mewse tops the entry list. After a perfect start to the season with four straight wins, he will be looking to bag the ‘Triple Crown’ title on his Crendon Tru7 Honda, the team hoping for a championship one-two, as Jamie Carpenter sits just ahead of Josh Vail in third.
Further down in the rankings the team will also be bringing along last year’s 125cc champion Charlie Richmond on his 250F. Richmond missed the last round at Hawkstone due to European championship commitments so will be looking to get back up the standings!
Third in the championship is Josh Vail of the Phoenix Tools Fantic team, riding his 250F he leads an inter-team battle as his MX1 team-mate Carlton Husband is just six points behind in fourth. Could the fast hillside nature of Wroxton suit the big 450? Husband will certainly hope so, and deliver a couple of his signature fast starts, however Vail has looked impressive in the opening rounds and will provide stiff opposition. Just eight points behind Carpenter, a strong result at Wroxton could see Vail move up to second, and 26 points down, could still be a championship outsider.
The current line up at the time of writing sees some other top names with the potential for victory. Jamie Keith, after a strong third in the opening moto of 2026 is back, as is Bobby Bruce, making a welcome return after a nasty spill at Hawkstone.
Charlie Cole makes his series debut, as does Taylor Hammal who has taken a Wroxton victory in the past. Another new name to look out for is the Super Swede Freddie Bartlett. The Newquay born rider spent many years growing up in Sweden and has returned to the British pro paddock for 2026. Following a recent top-ten British Championship finish in Cornwall at his local Landrake circuit, he will be looking to carry on his good form on Sunday.
The pro action headlines another busy weekend of racing, with packed race classes for the youth and amateur classes and only a handful of wildcard spots left on the gate. And whilst the pros are wrapping up their title campaign, there’s still a long way to go for the others, with vital points at stake!
The Amateur MX1 class has seen McKenzie Marshall take the first two rounds this year, but despite this only leads challenger Raife Broadley by eight points. Both riders will be looking for another strong result at Wroxton, as this already looks like it has the potential to go down to the wire! Further back, David Plank is well placed in third, with Aaron Patstone, Harvey Cashmore and Liam Smith all looking to break into the leading spots.
It’s even closer in Amateur MX2, as Harrison Greenough snatched the red plate at Hawkstone, although is tied on points with George Hopkins. Both have dropped a few points in early rounds but already have emerged as the riders to beat this year. However Beau Brown will certainly be looking to break into the title fight, the former MXY2 champion is only 16 points adrift. Brown has a decent gap over two other former Masters champions, Will Haddock and Harry Bradley, although both of these riders had an improved round at Hawkstone and will also be hoping to challenge the leaders.
The Clubman class is fully booked for the weekend, and Kyle Briggs will be hoping to maintain his gap at the front. Despite some bad starts, he still took three moto wins at Hawkstone and leads the title race by 28 points.
Ryan Christian will be hoping to keep the leader in touch this weekend and claw back some points, whilst Liam Deegan will be hoping to consolidate his strong third place in the title standings. Deegan is 24 points ahead of a very close battle, as Daniel Chapman sits just ahead of former champion Richard Roberts, who in turn is just one point ahead of Hayden Stevens, whilst Frank Elwell and Elliott Pugh are only just behind despite dropping points at Hawkstone.
The 125cc class saw Ryan Waggott lose his unbeaten record at Hawkstone, as Joel Winstanley-Dawson took his first win of the season. Despite this however, Waggott holds a commanding lead of 75 points from Jack Leese who has put together a strong start to the season and Robbie Daly who has been ever smooth and consistent on his return from injury.
Waggott starts as the commanding favourite, but the 125 class is often fast and frentic, so he will be hoping for another good turn of pace to maintain his championship gap.
MXY2 has seen a fascinating title battle start to develop, as Welshman Jayden Jones has won five of the seven motos this year, displaying scintillating speed. Despite this though, he only has a six point championship lead, and that’s thanks to the tenacity of Malachi Allen, who snatched a win from Jones at FatCat, and despite not quite being on Jones’ pace at Hawkstone, kept himself in the mix to snatch another win. The pressure ramps up for the third round, as both riders will be determined to get a strong result in another title battle that has the potential to run close!
Marley Alder sits just over 40 points behind in third as he battles with Dayton Thompson, with Jacob Wilson and Jack Brearey just a little further back. For those running Plews Tyres in the MXY2 class, there’s an added bonus with a £50 prize on offer in this class for the top Plews runner, courtesy of JKJ Racing, who will again be offering Plews Tyres and a fitting service over the weekend.
Much like the class of 2025, this year’s Big Wheel 85 alumni are producing a very close title battle, the current red plate holder is Franky Donoghue, who leads Riley-Ray Barrow by eight points, with Teddy Merriman 29 points behind in third. Each of these riders have only had one moto win each this year, which serves as a demonstration of how closely fought the action has been! Last year’s Small Wheel 85 champion Ethan Gawley has settled into fourth, just ahead of Jamie Thorpe and Jensen Branney, the chasing three riders all searching for their first win this year, they certainly have the potential for the chequered flag!
The Small Wheel 85 class promises to be just as close, as Frankie Noll snatched his first moto win of the season at Hawkstone to lead the series by 16 points. Tommy Gaddes in second has two moto wins, whilst third place Ronan Watson, 29 points behind has three. Certainly a tribute to Frankie Noll’s consistency this season!
All three will be hoping to top the podium at Wroxton, whilst a little further back last year’s 65cc champion Forrest Roberts already has a moto win to his name and will be hoping to close the gap, whilst Harrison Chiddey has been close to the leaders all year, a strong podium could bring him into the title chase.
Roy Townley has undoubtedly been the fastest 65cc rider this season, and with four moto wins he tops the title chase. However, Mason Foreman took three moto wins at Hawkstone, only a poor third moto denying him the overall to Townley by a mere point. Foreman is just 23 points behind, and is well placed to start taking the fight back to Townley with a good result at Wroxton. Kobe Roberts is yet to win in 2026, but is right in the title fight and could yet challenge the two leaders, being just 25 points behind. Ronnie Morgan, Jake Sayers and Olly McLean have all shown good pace this year and could be in with a shout for the podium at Wroxton.
Action starts from 9am on both days, with the regular weekend format of youth and amateur qualification on Saturday, followed by two blocks of racing.
The Fix Auto UK Pro Class starts the Sunday action with timed qualification before completing their two motos across the day.
Complimenting the on track action will be the usual catering stalls, along with the ‘Buzz Bar’ for an afternoon drink! The popular evening Bingo competition will also be making a return.
Admission is just £10 for adults, £5 concessions. The Wroxton circuit is located off the A222 Stratford Road, west of Banbury, hit OX15 6EU into your sat nav to find the circuit.
All riders, spectators and teams / families are reminded that a lot of work has gone into reclaiming this venue for championship use, and the venue has faced considerable local opposition. It is therefore vitally important that any rulings and requests from the organisers are followed.
Patrons are reminded that the neighbouring Indian Queen restaurant no longer allows visitors from the motocross onto its premises.
Please ensure that you do not leave the circuit / paddock areas during the meeting and drive with consideration on the local roads.
Chris Czora 
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