One rider that has had a great year racing in UK soil is young Billy Askew who is part of the GTCI Revo Kawasaki team this year clinching both MXY2 titles. The past few weeks has seen him make his debut with the big boys racing the MX Nationals UK as as well as the final round of the British Championship.
The 2024 season is going to be big for Askew as not only will he race the British Championship in the MX2 class but he will step up to race the EMX250 series with the Revo team. It will be his first time racing a series outside the UK and it will only help him for the future.
He will end his 2023 season making his EMX250 debut at Matterley Basin which is going to be very exciting.
We caught up with Askew to discuss his season, EMX250, plans for 2024 and more.
GateDrop: Billy, let’s start with your season winning the British MXY2 Championship as well as the MX National MXY2 title – you must be delighted on your season winning both titles? How does it feel?
Askew: Yeah, it feels amazing to achieve what I have achieved this year. To say that only last year I was on an 85cc, so I am super happy on how my MXY2 season has gone this year.
GateDrop: How would you reflect on your season looking back at it? Winning championships are never easy!
Askew: Reflecting back on this year, I would just have to say maybe to be a bit more smart when riding. What I mean by that is making less mistakes and just riding clever.
GateDrop: You raced the fastest 40 class at the final MX National UK round and battled for the win with Dylan Walsh, how did that feel and it must have felt great to battle with him?
Askew: Yeah, the fastest 40 at Hawkstone Park with the MX Nationals was definitely an eye opener for sure. Them boys are a lot more tough and less forgiving but I was really happy with my performance. Sure, it would have been good to maybe win that race but in the long run I think it’s just as good what ended up happening.
GateDrop: At the weekend you then raced the MX2 British Championship, fifth in the first moto and then a DNF which spoiled a good overall result. How was your day and how did it feel to race the British Championship?
Askew: My day with the British was definitely a good day going P3 in qualifying and top five in the first race from a rough start was good. In race two I was running a good pace and then had a little tip off which set me back a few places. I was coming back through the pack really good and then with three laps to go had a crash coming out of the corner causing me to snap my clutch lever and took me a lap to get going. It was a shame but it’s all part of learning.
GateDrop: Racing the MX Nationals and British Championship, now you’ve got a taster of it, does that wet your appetite for even more?
Askew: One hundred percent. I’m very exited for the coming years and really excited to get back racing and show what I can do.
GateDrop: You are gearing up for your EMX250 debut at Matterley Basin next weekend, you must be very excited for that one?!
Askew: I am really looking forward to Matterley Basin, I remember watching the Des Nations there back in 2017 witch was one of the coolest things I have been to watch. To be riding that track in front of all the British fans is definitely exciting but going to be a challenge.
GateDrop: I’m sure you’ve been to the track plenty of times but as a spectator, have you actually raced there before? if not, you must be excited to race the track!
Askew: Yeah, I have never raced the track but I have been to watch before when I was a kid.
GateDrop: EMX250 is a step up again with so many fast and talented riders, what are your expectations for Matterley Basin? Have you something in your head you’d like to achieve or is it just to have fun? This will probably be the biggest race of your career so far!
Askew: Of course I would like to go well but my mindset going in is to just get the first one ticked off and get a taster ready for next year.
GateDrop: I seen you were at Arnhem watching, what did you make of that weekend? The racing was great and the track was brutal!
Askew: Yeah, the racing was awesome and made me want to do it even more.
GateDrop: Next year you’ll be racing the full EMX250 series – you must be super excited to do the full series in 2024 and what will your goals be for your rookie season? Also to travel around Europe is exciting instead of just racing in the UK…
Askew: Next year is definitely a big step up and I’m really excited and grateful for this opportunity from the team. I’m definitely excited to travel around Europe.
GateDrop: What is it like being part of the Revo team and having Tommy Searle as a team mate – I am sure you have learnt a lot from him?
Askew: It’s awesome being part of the team. When we first spoke I was in a bit of shock and didn’t think it was real and it’s really awesome working alongside Tommy Searle. He was one of my idols when growing up but now he is a team mate and very good mates. It is awesome and I have definitely learnt a lot from him, he is a really good role model for me.
GateDrop: I would say there’s a lack of elite talented British riders at the moment, after Conrad you are the next big talent but don’t have any EMX experience yet – do you feel any pressure?
Askew: For sure there is pressure but I’m okay with pressure, I am just excited to show the people what I can be capable off.
GateDrop: Growing up which riders did you look up to the most and why?
Askew: When I was growing up I looked up to Ken Roczen but I must admit as a kid I wasn’t obsessed with watching motocross and I’m still not. I would rather go and ride my bike instead of watching it.
GateDrop: Long term have you set yourself goals you’d like to achieve?
Askew: My long term goal is to be a world champion some day.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Images: JHMX
