Top 5 UK Dirt Bike Events
By Max Hinds
If you're a dirt bike enthusiast and a true motocross fan, you'll be happy to know you're probably only a stones throw from some of the best dirt bike events.
We've compiled a helpful list to ensure you can get your fix of the most impressive showcases, from heart-pounding beach races tot he high-flying world of motocross. Whether you're a rider or a spectator, these events promise an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Weston Beach Race | Weston-super-Mare
Weston Beach Race celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2023 and it has become a bucket list event for any off-road rider worth their salt in the UK. It’s generally held in September or October (depending on the tides) and attracts a huge number of spectators from all walks of life over the two days of action on the beach.
The race track itself is extreme to say the least, with dozens of huge sand dunes and obstacles scattered throughout the 6km long course, alongside a 2km start straight where riders get to push their machines to the absolute limits reaching speeds of over 100mph.
Weston may well hold the title as ‘the biggest’ off-road event in the UK, with over 1000 riders taking part across the weekend each year - with in excess of 800 solo riders in the main event on the Sunday alone! There are race classes for solo bikes (regular MX/Enduro machines), quad bikes (race quads and 4x4 farm bikes), as well as sidecars, the event also caters for youth riders from the 65cc class all the way through to the youth 250f class.
The biggest spectacle of the entire weekend is the start and first lap of the main solo race on the Sunday where up to 1000 riders hit the beach at the same time. It’s an incredible sight and one we highly recommend to see for yourself. The carnage and mayhem to behold is unrivalled by anything else we’ve seen on these shores.
There’s plenty of other entertainment for the entire family including a huge trade village, fun fair, bar and even trials shows with multiple world champion Dougie Lampkin.
Matterly Basin MXGP | Winchester
The Motocross World Championship only comes to the UK once a year. The MXGP of GB is typically held at the spectacular Matterley Basin track near Winchester. This is one of the best circuits on the entire MXGP tour thanks to the awe-inspiring jumps, flowing nature and exceptional viewing areas. Matterley is said to be the favourite track for many of MXGP’s top stars, including 9x world champion Antonio Cairoli. The venue offers the crowd unrivalled viewing as the track essentially sits in a “basin” with banks all around for the crowds to sit and watch all the action unfold.
Modern MXGP’s are two-day events and usually feature rounds of the European championship classes as well MX2 and MXGP. You can expect to see big name stars such as Tim Gajser, Jeffrey Herlings, Romain Febvre, Jago Geerts and Liam Everts line up at Matterley each year, but you’ll also be able to cheer on a host of local UK talent as well with many British riders choosing to compete in the European support classes.
Outside of the international pre-season warm up races this the only event in the UK where you’ll get to see the best Motocross riders in the world compete bar to bar, and for 2023 Matterley Basin will play host for the final round of the MXGP tour. Let the fireworks commence!
These guys are next level and the racing is usually off the scale. One of the best features on the track is the huge quad jump which only the bravest riders will attempt….
Vets MXDN (Motocross Des Natinos) Foxhill | Wiltshire
The Vets MXdN (Motocross des Nations) event takes place at the iconic Foxhill Moto parc near Swindon. This venue has seen some incredible racing over the years, but it’s most famous (or infamous) for the mud race at the 1998 Motocross des Nations. It is now the home of the Vets MXdN which is an international vintage dirt bike event that attracts a host of Motocross legends from around the World. Think of it as Goodwood Festival of Speed – but for dirt bikes!
The inaugural event held in 2022 featured American superstars Zach Osborne, Ryan Villopoto and Mike Brown alongside former British / UK champions Kurt Nicol, Brad Anderson and Neville Bradshaw. There are lots of classes to cater for the everyday weekend warriors and their vintage machines, but the main event is most definitely the international team race. Three riders from each country take to the 40 strong start line to battle for the VMXdN title. The team with the lowest score after four races takes the crown. The event has plenty of entertainment including bike shows, bands, a trade village and much more. The smell of premix is strong, and the only electric thing is the atmosphere!
Arenacross
The Arenacross UK series is held at arenas across the country from January to March each year. Safely tucked away from the winter elements this series features some of the best riders from the UK batting for the prestigious AX title. Multi-time British MX Champion Tommy Searle took the crown for his own in 2023, much to the delight of the hardcore AX fans. The great thing with Arenacross is that it is a family focussed affair and attracts spectators from outside the sport. With high production values including an amazing light show, Freestyle Motocross shows and plenty of other activities between the races it's one not to be missed. AX UK is here to cure your winter motorcycling blues!
WSX
Moving from arenas to stadiums. World Supercross is a brand-new series which was set up in 2022 to rival the hugely popular (but very American) AMA Supercross championship. WSX is the official FIM sanctioned Supercross world championship and - as we’ve seen with lots of other sport (Golf, F1, Football) - a huge amount of funding has been made available thanks to an investment from a Gulf state (Abu Dhabi).
The first WSX event was held in Cardiff in 2022 and attracted the world’s biggest Supercross stars including Eli Tomax, Ken Roczen, Chad Reed and many more. In 2023 the series will have seven rounds, the first was held at Villa Park in Birmingham. The series will then go on a globetrotting tour in order to crown the 2023 Supercross world champions.
WSX races are held in stadiums rather than arenas, so the tracks are bigger and more technical than the usual UK arenacross series. If you want to see the true giants of the sport take on a fully fledged SX track, this is one of the only ways to do it outside of the USA.
In the world of dirt bike racing, the UK holds it own, offering a unique blend of thrilling events. Our pick of events showcase the best of what off-road motorcycling has to offer, and are must-visit's for all dirt bike enthusiasts.