There was only one local rider in the pro class at this years Arenacross UK series in Belfast but James Mackrel didn’t disappoint his home fans qualifying for both nights of action and finishing both nights in the top ten.
Mackrel is improving at racing Arenacross all the time which is great to see and he now heads to Aberdeen this weekend.
We caught up with him after Belfast to discuss his weekend.
Read or watch below:
GateDrop: James, that’s two nights done here in Belfast. Last night I think you can be buzzing with your speed, things went really well and you were fifth and sixth for ages in the main. Tonight things were a bit more complicated but coming back you were still able to get in the top ten. You must be happy with your speed?
Mackrel: I am definitely happy with my speed considering the week before Arenacross, the weather has meant I’ve just been riding on the beach. I impressed myself I think for what I expected of myself. I am just out having fun and it’s working out for me.
GateDrop: From watching you this year it looked like you were calmer than last year, did having the experience of racing the pro class last year help you for the event this year?
Mackrel: No, I think last year the biggest problem was with myself as I had a broken back. Belfast was the first time I had on the bike since I broke my back in September. I was sort of off the boil and wasn’t myself. Now, this year was more the James Mackrel that I know rather than just riding around making up the numbers.
GateDrop: Tonight you ended up in the LCQ which you might not have want but leading and winning the LCQ here at your home race in front of your home crowd must have felt amazing…
Mackrel: It was nice. It was brilliant hearing everybody cheering every time I went past them. I couldn’t really complain about the extra laps, it might even do you a favour in the long run. It was a brilliant weekend all in all and happy with the outcome. We will keep plugging away into the next ones and hopefully get further up in the main event.
GateDrop: The main event tonight, again you came from behind but you were able to pass guys so it looks like you are getting more comfortable with racing Arenacross…
Mackrel: Yeah, to be honest with you I feel like I have the speed for around the top five. I just need a bit of a break, tonight I didn’t have the luck and last night I could have had more of a clear run, but that is racing I guess. I will take the positives away from the weekend and move onto the next one.
GateDrop: Aberdeen next week, it most be hard for you to prepare for Arenacross living in Northern Ireland but what will you do in between?
Mackrel: To be honest I have built a track but the weather has been bad so I haven’t been able to ride it. Like I say, there’s a beach in Kilkeel with bumps that are waist high so I’ve been riding my way around that. You can call it practice but it’s just to keep the laps whether it’s Motocross or Supercross, when you know how to ride a bike, you can ride one!
GateDrop: After the Arenacross season have you any plans to do anything in England? I guess you’ll be doing the full Ulster championship…
Mackrel: We will see. I just had my second kid last Tuesday so we will just see how it goes money wise and everything else. We will see how far we will get but I will definitely be doing the Ulster and hopefully there’s an Irish championship this year too. After that I will probably choose between a couple of British and a couple of Scottish rounds.
GateDrop: Two kids, what is it like being daddy and having to prepare and do everything you need for Motocross? Busy!
Mackrel: To be honest, my partner, Laura has been brilliant, she does everything. We had the kid on Tuesday and she has been at home all weekend with her by herself. She has been brilliant, without her I wouldn’t be here racing… you know yourself, two kids isn’t easy but it’s good. I’ve had a good weekend all in all having a kid and racing here. It’s all you can ask for.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Images: Nigel McKinstry
