After racing selected MX2 World Championship events in 2023, Taylor Hammal inked a deal with the Crendon Tru7 Honda team this year to focus on racing domestically in the UK. Hammal has been racing the 250cc and 450cc quite a lot so swapping the bikes isn’t always easy.
Hammal is also on the look out for a team in 2025 as he’ll be parting ways with the Crendon Tru7 Honda team at the end of the season.
We caught up with Hammal to discuss his season and more…
GateDrop: Taylor, you signed with the Crendon Tru7 Honda team for 2024. After being part of SS24 KTM, was it nice to get another ride secured as it’s not always easy and of course it’s one of the best British teams – if not the best in the British paddock…
Hammal: Yeah, I was well chuffed on signing with Dave’s team. I’ve always wanted to get a chance on his team and I’d imagine everyone out there would to so I was happy with that. It came right at a good time, without being told I had lost my ride at KTM I found out which isn’t the professional way… but Dave was keen early on and I jumped on it without hesitating. It let off the pressure early to try sort something and I could focus on riding and getting ready for the season.
GateDrop: You’ve been swapping between the 250cc and 450cc machine, what has that been like? Probably harder than what people think…
Hammal: My deal was for the 250cc in the British mainly. The team let me race the 450cc in the Fastest 40 as I was desperate to be on one. I had a really good feeling on both bikes actually, I felt fast on both. I spent all winter on the 450cc so I came into the first round strong on it. After that I only rode the 250cc in the week and then would race the 450cc for a handful of weekends and my feeling on the bike got worse as I didn’t have the time on it. Switching back to a 250cc I found was no stress but getting on a 450cc each time was really hard, it took me ages to get comfortable with it again.
GateDrop: How would you evaluate your season so far?
Hammal: It’s been a strange one to be honest. I came in strong out qualifying Conrad at Foxhill, obviously he was coming back from injury but I felt good. For the British I had bad luck, what felt like every race. I should’ve had one maybe two podiums but riders crashed in front of me while in podium spots etc, that I couldn’t do much about. I also had a DNF first round so it just didn’t go right. The riding was solid I felt but yeah it just didn’t go right. The 450cc was great, I got on the podium each Fastest 40 round and second in the championship. I felt I had a good showing at Schoolhouse on it too. I’m now on the 450cc for the last British round so I’ve changed classes.
GateDrop: Before this year you were racing MX2 GP’s but you haven’t contested any MXGP rounds this year – speaking to you last year I know you were hoping too, do you miss racing at the highest level?
Hammal: I did eight rounds I think and I did enjoy them, but it is a lot that it takes. A lot of things you don’t realize around the actual racing itself. This year not doing them, I’ve watched a few and thought yeah I’d like to be out there and then some I think, no I am glad I’m not. I could’ve done a few but I couldn’t afford to go with all the medical, licensing and travel costs etc, as it would be coming out of my own budget.
GateDrop: Everyone knows how fast Conrad is, what has it been like having him as a team mate? Do you put much laps in with him and if so that must benefit you?
Hammal: Conrad is a world class rider and it’s been good to be on the same team. I’ve been up his track a couple times and out in the week. He’s been in Belgium a lot so not much riding together but I’ve learnt a lot from him through the team and how he operates. Very professional and regimented which I’ve learned to plan ahead more in advance and know what days I’m riding etc. It’s been good but also no other way to put it but he’s number 1 so you’re kind of always in his shadow but it hasn’t bothered me one bit. I’ve just tried to learn and tag onto as much as he does on and off the track to improve myself.
GateDrop: I believe for the 2025 season you won’t be with the Crendon Tru7 Honda team – any plans yet? I guess you are an available rider…
Hammal: I won’t be with the team next year unfortunately, was really gutted when I knew but that’s Motocross sometimes. There’s more to it than just racing at the weekends and results unfortunately and I understand that. I can’t thank the whole team enough for taking me on, nothing but positive things to say about all the guys there. I think it’s brought the old confidence back out of me being with Dave which I’m happy about.
At the moment I have no plans at all, I definitely need to get on the phone to people, I hope I can sort something out as I want to still be racing. It’s becoming difficult to get deals etc, in British Motocross and that’s something I hate about our sport each year.
GateDrop: I am sure you’d like to get a British ride but if not, would you be open to race somewhere else in Europe? Somewhere like Germany perhaps because the ADAC series is pretty good…
Hammal: Yeah although riding abroad it all depends on the structure/surroundings and people. Obviously I’m open but I think the British series is on the right path going forward. This year the racing has been great, maybe low on numbers in MX1 but it’s solid I think. Now I’m getting older your priorities do change slightly, the days being young wanting to race world stuff changes when you’ve been there and done it and it didn’t work out the way you plan it to, seeing and being around that environment it definitely changed my look on it.
Although I’d love to have a crack at an AMA, Canadian or Australian round, just for something different and to experience that. Hopefully something pops up or I’ll be getting the CV out and looking on indeed (laughs).
