The 2017 Arenacross Tour came to a thrilling conclusion at the SSE Arena, Wembley, on Saturday night where Buildbase Honda’s Chris Bayliss put his CRF250R on the top step of the Pro Lites podium.
In the Pro AX class it was a much tougher night for the team with Matt Bayliss crashing out of the heat races and former champ Adam Chatfield only making the Main Event as promoter’s choice following a bruising second heat.
After missing round six at Sheffield last weekend with food poisoning, Chris – who was also nursing a recently dislocated shoulder – had a point to prove and came out swinging to win the first of the two Pro Lites finals.
Chris has lost out on two tie-breaks this year and, with no chance of taking the title, in the second final he rode smart to cross the line third and sign off with the overall win.
“I’ve finally won one instead of getting second on a tie-break,” said Chris. “It’s been a good night. I could have had a pretty good chance of winning the title if I’d been able to race at Sheffield but I enjoyed the series and it’s always good to go out with a win.”
His big brother Matt’s evening came to a premature end on the opening lap of his first heat when, while leading, he crashed and dislocated his knee.
“I got the holeshot and did exactly what I’ve been doing all day through the whoops – triple, triple, triple out – but I was thrown forward and as I was coming down I had my left leg out.
“I’ve been feeling good all day and then that happens. I can’t believe it really. I’m gutted. It’s been a good few weeks and I’ve really enjoyed it but it’s a disappointing end to the championship for me.”
Adam, who won at Wembley last year, went into the final round of the series with an outside chance of finishing as runner-up in the Pro AX championship but a crash in his second heat sent him to the head-to-head Last Chance Qualifier races.
After getting knocked out of the LCQs he was the promoter’s choice for the Main Event where he finished fifth to end the series in fourth overall as best British rider.
“It’s been a disaster tonight really,” said Adam. “I got fifth in my first heat but in the second I locked handlebars with someone on the start, went down and I was dead last so I had to go through to the head-to-head where I got knocked out.
“Luckily I was promoter’s choice and ended up fifth in the final which is all right considering I had to start from the second row which made it difficult. I’m still fourth in the championship and best Brit which I suppose says something.”
Team boss Dave Thorpe was delighted to see his Pro Lites rider on top of the podium.
“Chris has been a hero,” said Dave. “He was on it from the very first practice this morning and dominated the first final. Because he wasn’t in contention for the title he rode with his head in the second final for the overall win. It’s a great finish to the season for him and for the CRF250R.
“Arenacross can be a very unforgiving sport and Matt holeshot and was leading when he caught the last whoop and went down. One little mistake can cost you dearly and there’s no time to recover.
“Adam wasn’t on the French riders’ pace today but he’s fourth in the championship and best British rider. He’ll look back at the championship and see missed opportunities but, truthfully, fourth was probably his place.
“As a team we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the series. It is hard work and there are massive highs and incredible lows but as a series it brings a new dimension to our partners who want to come and watch the team race.”
Buildbase Honda now moves outdoors with Martin Barr and Graeme Irwin kicking off the domestic motocross season at round one of the MX Nationals at FatCat Moto Parc on March 5.
