The 2 Stroke Race of the Century | VMXdN 2022

In two days time, this sleepy Wiltshire hillside will transform into the biggest, baddest two-stroke dirt bike festival in the world. Welcome to Fox Hill. Welcome to the Vette Motocross Designations. For 2022, the field of dreams has been replaced by the valley of happiness. Buckle up because what you're about to witness might just be the greatest two-stroke dirt bike race on earth. So the VMXDN is a celebration of all things vintage and two-stroke motocross. There's a bikes of all ages, riders of all ages competing around this awesome track here at Fox Hill all weekend long. But the main event, the main reason that most of the spectators have come to watch is the nation's team race where we're going to see great champions from all across the world go head-to-head in a team event for all the marbles, all the glory. It is stacked and it is going to be an awesome display of two-stroke motocross racing. I can't wait. Let's go meet the riders. Let's get the action on the way. The hometown heroes. Leading the way for GB, we've got the legendary Kurt Nicholl. Mel Pocock heroically steps up last minute to replace Tommy Searle. And rounding out the local lads, we've got the British bulldog, Brad Anderson. Next, we've got the reigning champions. Wearing the number one is the croc star, Gordon Crockard. He's joined by the CR500 master, Neville Bradshaw, and the new boy, Graham Irwin. And then we have the Americans. One of the best to ever do it, Ryan Villopoto. On the number eight Husqvarna is the 2020 450 national champion, Zach Osborne. And finally, representing the red, white, and blue, we have the fastest over 50 to ever live, the one and only Mr. Mike Brown. Do you feel like a vet or do you still feel like a full-time racer? Definitely not a full-time racer. More like a vet, but something in between, I would say, at this point. In terms of riding and prep for the event, have you done much? Have you ridden many two strokes in preparation for this? When was the last time you rode? When's the last time you raced? I rode last weekend about five laps in a little local race. But other than that, it's been four to five months since I've really rode in a two-stroke. A 125 is the last time I rode a two-stroke, and that was the 125 dream race stuff. So it's been a while. I'm getting older and the other riders are getting younger, especially Mel. He's just turned 30, I think. He's three or four generations younger than me. It's nice to be back at Foxhills. First time I've been here, I think, for 25 years. Reigning champions team Northern Ireland won this event last year. Are you feeling the pressure coming into it? Of course, because the other two guys were on the team and we've got to deliver, so it's down to me too. But just being at this event and getting to ride for Team Northern Ireland and being a part of it, it's pretty special. For the crowds already here on a Friday before the race, it's crazy. I'm sure it's going to be the biggest off-road event of the year. Is there a strong lineup out there in the nation's class? Yeah, like you said, my teammates are good. You know, Villopoto, you can't say much about him, and Zach. Yeah, if it's America's time to win, it has to be this weekend, or I don't think it's ever going to happen again. But no, Brad Anderson, Neville Bradshaw, there's going to be a handful of guys that's going to be winning motos, I think. I love competition. If I'm fourth or fifth or first, competition is what I'm here for. And like I said, I think getting a good gate pick is going to be the main thing for the weekend. If we can go out and win as a team, if I can run around in fourth or fifth or third, whatever it is, I'm totally happy with that. You know, just have a good time. That's why I'm here. Can't wait to get behind that gate and have a good ride with Villopoto and Brownie and all the other guys. But I'm racing, obviously, the Evo Open on a different bike because of the age group. It'll be a bit of a warm-up, that race. It's a bit close to the one before the team event, so hopefully it's not too much riding I'm doing and wearing myself out for the team race. Racing has always been fun to me, but it doesn't make it fun if you don't win. So this weekend, I mean, I'm hoping that the team can do really well. As I say, I'm a lot older than some of the other guys, so I'm not going to win the team race. That I know. If I could just kind of place in the top 10 and the other guys can do a little bit better, I think we've got a chance. Outside chance, we've got a chance. Yeah, I think England's strong with Mel and Brad and Kurt. You never know, like, it's such a different thing riding these bikes than it is the modern bike. So you can't look at the teams and the names and kind of compare what they do normally. You know, of course, yeah. You know, Mel Poocock, there's a little bit of rivalry from years ago. He was my practice buddy back in 2017 and 2018. As I said to him, whatever happens in the track stays in the track. You know, as long as we're still friends after, then it's all okay. You've won the real motocross nationals back in 1994. I don't think there'll be a better guy to, hopefully, I don't want to show my bias in the video, but lead Team Great Britain to the top of the box at the end of the weekend. Well, it'd be lovely. So, yeah, I mean, obviously that was the biggest day in my racing career in 1994 and, you know, let's see what we can recreate this weekend. As I say, I can only go out there and do my best and then obviously see how Mel does and Kurt. I know they'll put 110 percent in and we want to try and get on that box. That's our goal. Well, we can't wait. One of the greatest British champions we've ever seen against one of the greatest American champions we've ever seen. It's going to be a good weekend, isn't it? I hope so and hopefully we can just overtake them. Yeah, Brad, thanks very much. Have a good weekend. Here we go then. It's time for race number one of the weekend for the nation's team race. Mel Pocock leads Ryan Villapoto and Neville Bradshaw onto the line. Who's going to grab the first hole shot of the weekend? The gates have dropped and we're about to find out. And it's Ryan Villapoto. RV grabs the hole shot. He's closely followed by his teammate Mike Brown, Neville Bradshaw, Brad Anderson and Mel Pocock right in the mix as well. But it's RV leading the way, looking supremely good on that Dockwop built YZ250. Just listen to those fans go wild. This is awesome. And look how tight it is at the front. This is what we came to see. This is two-stroke motocross racing at its very best. RV still leads the way but he's being hounded by his team USA teammate downtown Mike Brown chasing hard. Brad Anderson into third now. Look at this. One, two, three. Neville Bradshaw in the mix too as is Mel Pocock still. We're watching up the hill. RV still leads the way and Mike Brown into the lead. So Mike Brown makes the move, takes over the lead and position from his teammate Ryan Villapoto. And Mel Pocock is in the third position now chasing hard. And Pocock's into second. Pocock's making moves to Team GB. He makes a move on Ryan Villapoto to take over second position. A mistake from Mike Brown there so it's close on this last lap of action. And Brad Anderson also makes a move on Ryan Villapoto to take over third position but as the last lap draws to a close it's going to be downtown Mike Brown taking the win for Team USA. Yeah it was uh nerve-wracking at first you know sitting on the line I haven't been behind a behind a gate like that in years so nervous but then uh you know gate dropped and got a decent jump uh but Neville was uh right next to me and ended up getting a wheel on me but he left off pretty early and I was able to get around him and pull the hole shot um and then uh rode pretty well heart rate spiked up pretty high I could feel Brownie there actually everybody so and then about I don't know I guess two and a half laps in I lost my rear brake so at that point I was at the mercy of the bike but uh it was good man it was uh it was fun yeah the crowd was was uh was awesome man it's uh it's cool to see a race like this it's not even a you know a GP or a pro motocross race you know have this many fans um it's it's nuts. So the fans are ready for it are you ready for it we're getting ready for race number two of the weekend here for the nation's team race who's going to come out the gates hot in this one will it be Mike Brown Neville Bradshaw or somebody else let's find out and they're off who's going to grab the hole shot Mel Pocock sneaking around the inside so a great start for Mel Pocock Graham Irwin up in the mix as well this time as is Brian McKenzie for team Scotland Elia Banks Brown also just ahead of Neville Bradshaw there and not such a strong start for Brian Villapoto this time he came home fifth place in moto number one and he's going to have some work to do if he wants to climb that high in this moto it's Mike Brown leading the way but here comes Mel Pocock diving up the inside to take over the race lead Graham Irwin sits in third position for team Northern Ireland and here comes Brad Anderson making an aggressive move down the hill on Neville Bradshaw so Ando up in the mix of team GP now absolutely flying wild as ever is Brad Anderson that's what the fans love to see just absolutely sending it around Fox Hill here what a showman as ever is Brad Anderson so he makes a move on Elliot Banks Brown but it's Mel Pocock leading the way but here comes Mike Brown Brian McKenzie in third position Graham Irwin fourth and then Brad Anderson the fans cheering on the local boy Mel Pocock but he's been hounded by Mike Brown Mike Brown is inevitable here he comes charging down the hill goes Mel Pocock and right on his rear wheel is a number seven Mike Brown and just like that Brownie is into the lead Pocock second Anderson into third now Neville Bradshaw for team Northern Ireland Mike Brown leads the way is there anything anybody can do about downtown Mike Brown he looks so good out there solidifying his reputation as the fastest over 50 to ever live Mel Pocock and Brad Anderson doing a stellar job for team GP going two three in this moto and giving team GP the lead heading into day two it's Mike Brown taking the win can anybody stop him tomorrow let's find out day two of the vets motocross nation 2022 coming up next so the sun is rising on another day here at foxhill for day two of the 2022 vets motocross nations and in the nation's team race there's only one point in it with two motos left to go currently team gb lead the way with a one point advantage over team usa but don't count out those northern irish lads Gordon Crockard Graham Irwin and Neve Bradshaw are going to be in there mixing things up with the rest of the lads it's going to be an epic day it all comes down to this so the riders are getting set for race number three of the weekend the revs are up and the gates are down who's going to grab the whole shot looks like a flying start for Mel Pocock but he goes down in the first turn so it looks like it's the number 18 of Elliot Banks Brown running away with things earlier than this one he's being chased by Neville look at this Zach Osborne up in the mix oh look at Crockard thrown it around the turn there and it's a cr500 drag race up the hill between Banks Brown and Bradshaw Elliot hangs on to it for now though Bradshaw settles for second four at the moment and they drop into the valley for the first time Elliot Banks Brown leads the way then ahead of Neville Bradshaw but Banks Brown goes down gifting the lead to Neville Bradshaw and he's now being hunted by the americans Brian and Mike Brown in second and third positions Zach Osborne in fourth as well so Neville Bradshaw is going to have to complete the race of his life if he wants to hang on to this leading position because he's got two of the best to ever do it right behind him Bradshaw leading Brian Villopodo second Mike Brown in third close behind Bradshaw looking supremely confident up front Mike Brown into second position now so Mike Brown on the hunt he's looking for his third race win of the weekend in the nation's class against his rival Neville Bradshaw's old rival from this event charging up the hill they go just listen to that YZ250C meanwhile Team GB making moves both Mel Pocock and Brad Anderson making a pass on Zach Osborne into the valley then so looking good for Team GB making moves just a handful of laps to go Bradshaw still leads a comfortable lead over Brown and Villopodo now so looking good for Neville Bradshaw at the front of the pack but one lap to go then Brad Anderson has made the pass on Mel Pocock he sits in fourth position now and he's hunting he's chasing Brian Villopodo one of the greatest of all time one lap to go what can Brad Anderson do here he's closing look how close he is at the bottom of the hill Ando is on the move look at this a drag race up the hill wild as ever just listen to the crowd roar there goes Brad and Brad Anderson into third position on the final lap then what a race from Ando but at the front of the field it's your friend and mine Neville Bradshaw shaking the chequered flag for Team Northern Ireland yeah no that's a pretty sick race first race of the day uh managed to get a pretty good start there's a bit of carnage in the first turn I managed to stay on the inside uh and then Elliot was leading and crashed on the first lap and then yeah just a nice race you know managed to get into lead got like three or four seconds over I think Villopodo was in second for most of it and it was just nice to ride the 500 on your own where you could just like let it eat up the hills and stuff instead of like protecting the corners and just try and knuckle down I think Team Northern Ireland still in third place so if we can all three have another good ride hopefully we can move a little bit further up for you what makes this event so special why have you come back six times to race this event I think this event is absolutely the biggest vintage event in the world it's prestigious and I still like doing big events and that's so you know I don't race all the time now but I do you know World Vet and Mammoth and Loretta's and stuff in the states and this is the biggest event that we have in England for old people so that's why I'm here you know the atmosphere is unreal like I tell everybody every year I go to it's one of the biggest races I would ever do you know you come to a vet race and so many spectators and people cheering and the bikes and the people and just atmosphere is nice in America we don't have any anything that's like this new it's all like twin shock and proper vintage stuff whereas this is like modern bikes that I would have known from my childhood and stuff which is really really cool I think it's an awesome thing and something we could really do with a bit more of in America like we just we don't have anything that's even remotely like this coming to Europe and racing in front of the fans over here it's it's way different than the states the passion for for 2L Motorsports over here is is substantially bigger than in the states so it's been it's always a good time to race in front of you know the crowd like that that's going to show up this weekend no that's it that's about it with the air horns and for sure when I hear that it's going to bring back memories from 97 and 99 for sure and I'm looking forward to it that's probably that's the main reason I'm here for the crowd like it's it's unreal the support they still give me from being here so many years and it's uh it's like home for me so one day hopefully I'll live here I do like it a lot so that's the goal so it all comes down to this the fourth and final race of the weekend coming into it team USA have a slight advantage and they know what they need to do but the individual honours are still up for grabs the gates have dropped for the final time here at Box Hill Neville Bradshaw, Mel Pocock and Elliott Banks-Brown with his solid starts but Brad Anderson around the outside so as they re-emerge into the valley for the first time it's Brad Anderson with a commanding race lead giving the hometown fans something to cheer about then it's Banks-Brown and Bradshaw passing over second and third but this looks like it's going to be the Ando show meanwhile Mike Brown he's got overtaken by Brian McKenzie but Brownie and Villopoto they know exactly what they need to do in order to gain team victory here meanwhile at the front of the pack Brad Anderson is running away with things giving the hometown fans something to cheer about it's the last lap of action here at Fox Hills the last lap of the weekend and Brad Anderson is on fire the British Bulldog Brad Anderson dominates the world in moto number four he takes the moto victory he takes the overall victory in this class but it's going to be team USA Mike Brown Zach Osborne and Ryan Villopoto taking victory in the nation's race and finding redemption for the red white and blue so that was genuinely one of the best weekends I've ever had at the motocross track and I hope that this video caught that atmosphere and caught the action in the best way possible so that you guys that weren't lucky enough to be there were able to experience it just as much as we were at the track because it was absolutely epic but I think it's safe to say that this event the Vets Motocross Nations wouldn't exist if it wasn't for a certain Mr. Dave Thorpe so Dave King the promoter of the event started the race way back in 2009 when he wanted to get Dave Thorpe back on board his 1989 world championship winning RC500 fast forward to now and look at what the race has become if you're a massive fan of Dave Thorpe just like I am he's just released this new book where he talks about his career and winning three 500cc world championships I'll put a link in the description down below where you can pick up a copy and finally guys I want to say a massive thanks to all of you viewers who saw me at the weekend at the track and came to say hello and just told us how much you enjoyed the videos it's honestly given me such a boost in motivation to create more content and create the best content possible for you guys to watch and trust me I said it to a lot of you on the weekend we've got a whole bunch of stuff coming from the Vets Motocross Nations 2022 we got this video but we've got a ton more I had friends in loads of races so expect a ton more two-stroke content to come from the 2022 Vets Motocross Nations thanks for watching guys as always my name is Max this is 999 Laser till next time I'll see you at the track