2017 will be the final year in the youth ranks for Tom Grimshaw, who has been competing in the Thor British Youth National Championship for four years.
At the end of this season Tom will be making the step up from the British Youth 250 Open Class to the MX2 class in the Maxxis British Youth Championship and the young-gun also plans to compete in the Dutch Nationals as well as a few rounds of the EMX250 class within the MXGP World Championship.
The Thor British Youth National Championship is a stepping-stone for youth riders to the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship, European and World Championships, so it’s great to see Tom setting an example of where racing at this level can take a rider.
RHL Activities caught up with Tom as the 2017 BYN series hits the halfway point.
Tell everyone a bit about yourself?
“I’m 16 years old and have been racing motocross since I was eight years old. I am currently at school about to take my GCSE exams, but I will soon be going to college, which will allow me to focus on my racing a lot more”
How did you get into motocross?
“I got into motocross through watching my dad, I was immediately hooked and have loved every minute of it since”
Tell us your thoughts on the British Youth Championship?
“British Youth Nationals was the natural progression from club racing and was a great platform to be able to race against the best youth national riders in UK”
We understand you’re sitting your GCSE’s at the moment and flew back on Sunday night so you can be ready for your exam the next morning, how does racing at British level affect your schooling?
“This year was always going to be about school, GCSE’s first and my racing second. I am lucky that my school is very supportive and I have a strict timetable to get the balance right until June 16th and my last exam.”
You’re currently lying in second in the open class championship with 33 points between you and Howard Wainwright; how do you feel about this and what are your plans for the last three rounds of the year?
“Yes I am happy with being second to Howard at the moment and feel comfortable being the chaser, as I know I can chase down the advantage Howard currently has.Once my exams are finished I will train extra hard and practice extra hard in order to try and achieve the best possible finish to the season.”
How was the recent round at Desertmartin for you as there were some close battles between you, Wainwright and Etchells?
“Desertmartin was a solid weekend for me, the track looked mega on Friday and I couldn’t wait to get out there and rip it up. I had some mega battles throughout the weekend with Wainwright and Etchells with some real close racing at times. I had one mistake, which took place in the last race where a rock flew up, smashed my goggles and hit me straight in the eye – I had to stop to regain my sight, regain my focus and I managed to claw myself back up to 10th. Overall I was super happy to walk away with third overall and second in the championship.”
If you fancy coming to see Tom battle it out with Howard in the Thor British Youth National 250 Open Class, then pop along to the next round, which is at Dun’s, Scotland on 24th & 25th June. For more information head to rhlactivities.com
