The VMXdN is one of the most prestigious off-road motorcycle events in the U.K., featuring top international riders from previous eras and attracting large, enthusiastic crowds, making it a standout event on the calendar. Apico Honda had the Wright Engineering Team Race Title to defend, with the same rider line-up that won in 2024. Ex-team rider Jamie Law supported current Apico Honda riders Martin Barr and Tom Grimshaw in the most exciting class, the Wright Engineering Team Race, second to the headline event, the International Race. |
Martin put in a solid 6th in qualifying for the International Race and 3rd in the Wright Engineering Team Class, Tom went 2nd in the Big Van World Ultra Evo Class and the Wright Engineering Team Class and Jamie Law 3rd in the FIR Open Evo Over 30’s and 17th in the Wrights Engineering Team Class, after tactically letting the field go and then not getting a clean lap! Martin Barr: “Not what we’d hoped for, saying that the preparation was second to none. The bikes and gear all looked first-class. My first race was for Team Northern Ireland in the International race. After a decent qualifying result, I went into the first race and, unfortunately, had a coming together with Monticello; he put me down, which was just a racing incident. I was struggling to get the bike back up the off-camber. By the time I was up, everyone had gone, though there was number 24 from Team Wales still coming round on waved yellows. He railroaded me and rode over my foot and ankle. I knew something had happened, but I managed to get back up and finish the race. After a short recovery period back at the van, I put on my helmet, dug as deep as I could, and went out to complete the last three races of the day to the best of my ability. I went 11th in the Wright Engineering Team Race 1, and 11th again in the International.  I had a much better start in the last race of Saturday’s Wrights Engineering Team race and was up at the front. Unfortunately, on the last lap, I had a technical DNF, and that was the end of my weekend’s racing. I went to the hospital on Saturday evening to be told there was an injury, but I am not sure at this stage what the full extent of the injury is, and I’m waiting for the doctor’s advice at the moment. Obviously, as a team, we wanted to retain the Wrights Engineering title, but sometimes that’s the way motocross is, one week you are up, the next week down. All things considered, I had an enjoyable weekend with the Apico Honda team, family, friends, and everybody involved. It was unfortunate how it ended for me, and that Team Apico didn’t retain the title. Hopefully we’ll be back in 2026 to try again”.  Grimshaw: “For me, the results were great. Unfortunately, for Team Apico, we were unable to complete the job, as Martin was injured and could not compete on Sunday. I wish Martin well in his recovery and hope to see him back on the bike soon. I really enjoyed the weekend; it was a lot of fun on the old bike. I jelled with the bike and the track, and this showed with my riding. I came 2nd overall as an individual in the Wright Engineering team event and rode solidly in the Big Van World Evo Ultra race, finishing 2nd Overall. I had some awesome battles with Carson Brown and Danny McCanney over the weekend, too. The racing was good, the Apico Honda team looked after us, and it was nice to see more family and friends on Sunday for the racing. I’m looking forward to next year’s event and hope we can go for the Wright Engineering team title again”.  Jamie Law: “I enjoyed it, it was good fun being back at the racing again, it felt in some respects like I’d never been away. The sun was shining; I had all my close family there, and we had a really good time. Other than the poor race starts on Saturday, I thought I performed pretty well, all things considered. I wish Martin a speedy recovery, as if he’d been able to ride on Sunday, I think we’d have been in with a chance of winning the Wright Engineering Team race again. I had a clean sweep in the Evo Open, and it was nice to get a top step of the podium for that. Overall, on a selfish, personal level, I feel like I did well. If someone had said, ‘Would you be happy with the results?’ before I attended the event, I’d have taken them! I want to thank Dylan and Anna for having me back under the awning, for what was an enjoyable weekend with family and old friends”. Wright Engineering Results: 4th Place Overall – Martin Barr 11th, DNF, DNS, DNS Tom Grmishaw 2nd, 6th, 2nd 7th and Jamie Law 13th, 14th, 6th, 4th.Dylan Brown: “I was looking forward to the weekend; the weather was good, the bikes were prepped and ready, and we had a title to defend; unfortunately, that wasn’t to be. All the riders performed well in their respective qualifying races for their individual classes in the team race. Everything looked positive for a great weekend’s racing until Martin’s incident in the International Race. Having to put on a brave face and participate in the Wright Engineering team races on Saturday took a lot from Martin, sheer grit and determination, something you don’t often see in many racers these days. I’m gutted that he will not be racing with us this weekend for the Motul British Motocross Championship at Duns in Scotland, and we wish him a speedy recovery to fitness. On Sunday, everything seemed to come together for Jamie. He achieved great results all day, and Tom continued to deliver consistent good results in the Wright Engineering Team class, so it was a bittersweet end to the weekend. It was nice to see Jamie podium 1st in the Evo Open and Tom 2nd in the Evo Ultra classes. It was such a shame that Martin wasn’t able to be part of it with them on the Team podium. We now look to Duns this weekend for the MXGB double header. Thanks for all the support from our sponsors and the team”. |