Billy Askew experienced a home Grand Prix to remember at the iconic Foxhill circuit as the Dirt Store Triumph rider lined up for just his second MX2 World Championship appearance. Spurred on by thousands of passionate British fans, the talented youngster impressed with his pace, even running alongside established MX2 front-runners during the second moto before a small mistake halted his progress.
We caught up with Askew as he reflects on the unforgettable atmosphere at Foxhill, explains why he already prefers the historic venue to Matterley Basin, discusses the key changes that have boosted his confidence in recent weeks and much more.
GateDrop: Billy, that’s your second MX2 GP, but your first British GP. What’s it like racing in front of the British crowd with the best riders? Must have felt amazing. The atmosphere, wow!
Askew: Yeah, it’s crazy. Every time you go through that valley, you can hear them scream coming through. In that qualifying race, getting a start like that, it’s just mega. It was just a great feeling, one that I’ll never forget it. On the sighting lap as well, just hearing everybody, it’s just a great feeling. Thank you to all for coming out and supporting me and all the other British riders. It definitely helps us along, pushes that bit more for them guys. It’s good, I enjoyed it.
GateDrop: I know whenever Foxhill was announced, a lot of British fans, even including myself, I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. But overall, really successful. I think the track was unbelievable. I actually think it was better than Matterley. How would you sum it all up?
Askew: Yeah, definitely. I was excited to come here because I know how different it is and I know how cool it could be. It’s better than everyone thought, I think. I hope they do more GP’s here because it’s such a cool track and so different. It’s one of the best tracks in the world. To come here and race and it’s my home GP, it feels special and really cool with the fans. Definitely want to come here for the next few years.
GateDrop: Obviously, everyone loves Matterley. It’s a great track for the riders. How would you compare them? For me, Foxhill is a lot more old school and slower. It’s more technical, would you agree?
Askew: Definitely. I prefer this to Matterley. Matterley is just like an open place and flat out. Whereas this, you’ve got to be thinking a lot. Them downhills are different. There’s nowhere like it. It’s definitely one of my favourite GPs. Well, this is my favourite GP I’ve done this year. The track was awesome, the prep was good. It’s really impressive.
GateDrop: On that second moto, you were riding there with some really fast guys. I think you had a small tip over. Did you feel comfortable running that pace?
Askew: Definitely. I even surprised myself because I was running with some guys that have had podiums. It’s just so cool to be there. Even though maybe I can’t do it for 30 minutes plus two, but to be there for 15 minutes or 20 minutes every time I go out, I just want to keep doing that. Next time it might be for the whole race. Just learning, being with them and getting used to racing them guys. It’s just learning. The more I can do, the better I’ll be.
GateDrop: How does MX2 compare to EMX? EMX is always chaos, riders everywhere. With MX2, maybe not have more respect for you, but they don’t do crazy stuff as much?
Askew: Definitely. The MX2 riders are a bit more mature. They do sensible passes because they understand. They still put a good move on you. In EMX, it’s a lot of risk everything for one place. I do put a race in these top guys because I have respect for them. They do pass properly. It’s mega.
GateDrop: For guys like yourself, I think it probably makes more sense at the minute to do MX2 because at some rounds there’s only 20 guys anyway. Obviously, the guys at the front are faster, you can learn a lot. Will you be asking the team if you can continue in MX2?
Askew: I think after this weekend I’d be more looking forward to going racing in MX2 because that’s where I want to be next year. Just getting three or four more rounds doing it is only going to help me next year. I think I’m going to speak to the team and see what they say. Maybe we’ll see me in all the MX2 rounds for the last four rounds that I’m going to do. That’s what I feel. Hopefully, we can do that.
GateDrop: I think that makes sense if you’re listening, Jon (laughs). Just on the start of the season, you weren’t maybe at your best but it feels like last weekend in the British Championship was a turning point. Did you change anything?
Askew: We’ve had a busy few weeks. There’s been a lot of work going in for the team. Thank you to the entire Dirt Store Triumph team. They’ve put in a lot of hours in trying to help me and we’ve definitely made improvements which I feel. I think it’s just filled me with more confidence. Now I can ride believing in that it’s me under the bike and I can do what I want to do.
GateDrop: Can you elaborate on what sort of things you changed on the bike? Anything crazy?
Askew: No, nothing crazy. Just a few engine things. I’m not too sure but whatever they did, it’s made an improvement and I feel a lot more happy and comfortable.
GateDrop: You are working with Justin Morris. What’s it like working with him? Obviously he’s working with Ben now. Is that a good combination with this team as well?
Askew: Yeah, definitely. It’s good having Justin. He’s full of good ideas, especially on a track like this. Because he’s old school, he’s raced it years and years ago and he’s raced it probably more than most people have. He’s got the experience and he thinks outside the box. Some stuff you’re like, oh, I’m not too sure and then you end up doing it and then you’re like, wow, he was right. It’s definitely cool working with him. He helps Ben out as well. It’s good. We train in the week together and he helps us.
