A former three time Motocross World champion in the 80’s, Dave Thorpe knows plenty about the sport and had an amazing career. Now a days, Thorpe owns a team that contests the British Championship and has the talented Conrad Mewse under the awning.
For 2025, Jamie Carpenter will join Mewse under the awning to contest the British series.
We caught up with Thorpe to discuss his team and much more…
GateDrop: Dave, let’s look back at 2024 for the team first of all. No main British title but Conrad got to race Herlings regularly and give him a run for his money showing just how fast he is in the UK. Another Fastest 40 championship for him as well…
Thorpe: To be honest I do feel for Conrad because at the beginning of the championship, Jeffrey was rumoured to be doing a few rounds and at this time we (the team) were asking him not to fight too hard and throw himself down the track as we believed Jeffrey would do only a few rounds!
That said would the end result be any different with a rider of Jeffreys credentials? I doubt it, but I also saw Conrad’s attitude change giving him far more confidence because in the later stages of the series there was a tremendous amount of self belief in Conrad’s riding.
GateDrop: Taylor Hammal was also under the awning; he was swapping between MX2 and MX1 but how was it to work with him?
Thorpe: From the start of the year, we knew Taylor would find it hard to race both classes, it’s never ideal to switch around but we all went into the championships with our eyes wide open. Taylor showed on numerous occasions that he had the speed in both classes but lacked the consistency which you could argue was to do with switching of the bikes.
GateDrop: For 2025, Jamie Carpenter has signed with the team. How did that all come about and what do you expect from him in 2025?
Thorpe: I have spoken with Jamie for the last two seasons during the winter, I saw in 2024 flashes of speed before his injury, so together we have put together a package for 2025. He is very structured in his attitude to racing something that a small team like us thrives on, he has surprised us with his speed and knowledge during testing. We have had some great feedback.
GateDrop: There’s radical changes for British MX in 2025 with Paul Irwin running the ACU British Championship and at last there will be one main championship… What are your thoughts on it? Sometimes less is more so hopefully the series will be fully supported in 2025…
Thorpe: As a team we always support the ACU with their main championship, I personally thought the 2024 series was getting better and better. With Paul coming in and heading up the championship I am excited to see where it can go, between Paul and the MX committee there are some great ideas. We are fully behind the supporting the clubs to make it better for everyone…

GateDrop: Conrad did a couple of GP’s in 2024 – Lommel and Arnhem and showed flashes of what he could do before really impressing at the MXoN. What did you make of his performances at those races?
Thorpe: I think the first thing to say is Conrad is a complex character, anyone that has been around him in training/racing knows that his skill level is up there with the absolute best. But GP racing is not just about being fast, the mindset of the best riders at GP level are what make them champions. In the right team Conrad has that ability, but I am not sure the type of team he would need is looking at him, it is a gamble for anyone given his performances across the channel in recent years.
Conrad has said to me each year in contract negotiations he wants to race with us doing the British championship because as a team we always try our best to support him in his other races as best our budget allows. I often read what the keyboard warriors say about him doing a full GP season, the reality is at 26 next birthday he can earn strong money with us and still get his fix from doing selected GP’s, race Arenacross and do the Scottish Championship which I know he enjoys.
The one thing I have learnt about Conrad is he needs to be happy and comfortable with the people around him, there are so many people out there who think they know it all, but the reality is they know nothing about him personally.
GateDrop: For 2025, what are the plans with Conrad in terms of MXGP World Championship events, how many might we see him contest? As a fan I love to see him turning up and racing with the best in the world but at the same time I understand that’s not the goal for your team, but I am sure he likes to do some so it’s probably a bit of a balancing act…
Thorpe: Conrad understands where we are as a team, the domestic championship, Arenacross and the Scottish championship are our priority for 2025. He will undoubtedly do a few GP’s, but that is totally down to him, last year he managed his racing well so I don’t see 2025 being any different.
GateDrop: There’s not much support from the organisers so ends up being expensive when Conrad/the team do an MXGP. Would you like to see some changes and if so, what? Would this then encourage you to do more rounds of MXGP?
Thorpe: I always try to stay positive about the MXGP World Championship, I love to watch them, last year some of the racing was first class. I understand their long-term view with the EMX classes, it really is acting as a feeder for the MX2 and MXGP classes. This also brings more teams into the paddock at EMX level.
People consistently talk about lack of money for the riders, I don’t think anyone can argue that the top riders are paid very well. This is how it should be… But that said I also know how hard it is to move around the world as a small team so some incentive for the tenth/twentieth rider would be most welcome. It can’t be easy for Infront Moto Racing/FIM to keep everyone happy inside the paddock. But I have to say sitting at home watching it on the TV, it looks fairly good.
GateDrop: Conrad also told Jeff Perrett recently that he’d like to go and do an AMA National round or a few. You did allow Jake Nicholls to do that in the past. Is this something you’d support Conrad with if there’s an opportunity and the calendar allows?
Thorpe: We have discussed it, once all the calendars are set in stone, we can see what is possible.
GateDrop: The team are also doing the Arenacross Tour with Conrad (he missed round one due to injury but should be back for round two). What’s your thoughts on the series and the decision to have 2 rounds outside of Europe this year? The series seems to offer a lot of exposure to the teams…
Thorpe: Again, we try to support Matt Bates in every way we can. When Conrad asked to race it there was no hesitation from us to give him the tools for the job. I firmly believe Arenacross has a part to play in the development of young riders here in the UK.
GateDrop: Jake Nicholls has been with the team and will be staying for the 2025 season, he has plenty of experience! What’s it like to work with Jake and for him now is it more about enjoying it? He’s already had good career, but he can’t stay away!
Thorpe: Jake’s work ethic in his TRU7 business is second to none, the racing/training is a healthy distraction for him away from the business, like me he is a family man. Business/family and racing is where it is at for Jake now. He is still extremely fast and a fantastic test rider for the team, as long as he has a smile on his face when riding we will always get the best out of him.
GateDrop: What are your expectations for all three riders in 2025?
Thorpe: We are very lucky to have the CRF Honda’s, with our riders we have a fantastic package. Obviously we hope Conrad can win his British championship title back, for Jamie and Jake my hope is we can achieve as many podiums as possible.
GateDrop: Your son, Ryan seems to be very involved with the team. What’s his official role and is it nice that he can run it etc when you aren’t there? You must have taught him well!
Thorpe: Ryan runs the team impeccably’, he has my Dad’s genes for organisation. We are a small team that does a lot and that is only from all the hard work Ryan, Willy, Rob and Luke put in behind the scenes. We feel privileged to have some great partners behind the team that make it all possible.