Lyng was the destination for the final round of the 2025 Motul British Motocross Championship; it would also be the final round for Martin Barr in his professional motocross career. It was only 3 weeks ago at Foxhill where Martin broke his leg, and after a huge effort from Martin, his doctors and his family support network, he was able to line up for the final meeting of the British motocross season.
Tom Grimshaw was also ready for the last round. After missing the first part of the season, he’s put in some great results for a strong comeback and to finish the season on a high.
Qualifying went well, with Martin putting in his strongest lap early for 8th fastest, and Tom making up over 2 seconds towards the end of the session with a rough track to move into 5th quickest for the session.
Martin: “After the injury at Foxhills, I wasn’t sure how the season would finish. I managed to get my operation and had almost 3 weeks until the last round at Lyng. I was back on the bike 2 weeks post-operation, and I wanted to be at the final round for the team, a final farewell, if you will. With the injury still fresh, and the way the track is at Lyng with big drop-offs and heavy landings, I had to ride conservatively, around 80% and then continue my recovery for the Motocross Des Nations.
To be there for the team was a massive bonus and a very emotional day. Qualifying went really well, all things considered. I was over the moon with P8.
The first race started well, I had an okay start and was running 10th until I dropped it passing the mechanics in the corner. I lost 6 positions, and that upset my flow. I missed the front group, which pulled away from me. I then rode out the race at my own pace, not doing anything stupid. If I were at 100% and had not missed the Duns double header and DNF’d a race at Hawkstone, I would have been pushing to get further up the field. Still, 13th all things considered, wasn’t a bad result”.
Tom: “In race 1, I got an okay jump out of the gate, I came around on the opening lap in 9th and quickly made my way to 7th and started to sprint away from the rest of the pack with the front runners. I was unable to make up the time on Brad Todd, and the gap widened towards the end of the race. I still felt good, and maintained my flow and position, saving energy for the second race and brought it home in 7th place, which I was happy with”.
Race 2 was to be Martin’s final professional race with Apico Honda, something after a 21-year career in one of the most demanding sports in the world is incredible and awe-inspiring, yet, sadly, inevitable. Everything had been building to this moment for Martin and the team, and it wasn’t easy for any of us. Still, we planned to make the most of it and had our own celebration at the end of the race.
Martin: “I had it in my head I wanted to get a really good start with this being the last race. Sadly, I fluffed it! I kept pushing, making my way from 14th to 12th at the flag for 12th overall for my last professional race. It’s not where I wanted to be results-wise, the bigger picture was to be there for the team, a final farewell and thank everybody, especially Dylan & Anna, James, my mechanic and everyone involved with Apico Honda. It’s been a fantastic 4 years with the team, so it was nice to all be together for one last time.
I was looking for James in the pit box as I pulled off the track, though he wasn’t there, which felt strange. I was then directed to the start straight, thinking I was going to be noise tested on my final race! Then I saw everyone there, and that was really cool. It was a nice ending to my professional career. It was an emotional day. I don’t mind saying a few tears were shed by myself and other people, which shows how much it meant to me and everybody. So that’s the end of my professional racing career. I won’t be too far away and have made some lifelong friends with Dylan, Anna and everybody at Apico. It was nice I was able to be at the final race to sign things off properly with the team before my final Motocross Des Nations for Team Ireland”.
Tom: “I had a much better start in race 2, I got the jump out of the gate perfect and went straight down the middle, tucking in behind Taylor Hammal for 5th place. I managed to stay with the front group at pace for the first 10 minutes of the race before Josh Gilbert was able to pass me, and I dropped to 6th. Since I’ve returned from injury, I’ve not been able to keep at a sprint pace for the full race distance, but it is coming and is a little indication of what I want to do next season. I’ve learnt a lot this year and would like to thank Dylan and Anna for the opportunity to ride for Apico Honda for a second year”.
Dylan: “Well, where to start. I’ve known since the beginning of the season that this was to be Martin’s last as a professional racer, and it’s rather sad, but I know he will now start a new chapter of his working life. Not many can say they have had a 21-year career as a professional racer, especially with as much success as Martin has had. The last 4 years that Anna and I have had him under the awning have been special, and we consider Martin and his family part of our Apico family. We wish Martin all the best for the future and will always have a special connection with him.
I was not surprised when I received the call from Martin last Tuesday to say that he’d be racing after the injury at Foxhills. I call him the man of steel, but he really is, not just in body but spirit too. There are not many that could have got back to racing as quickly as he has, and all to say thank you to the team and to show that he is still the right choice for Team Ireland at the MXoN. Considering the above, going 12th overall at the Motul British Championship this weekend, I think Team Ireland has made the right decision in sticking with Martin for this year’s event.
Tom has again surpassed expectations after his injury and is knocking on the door of top 5 results in the Apico MX1 Championship. He’s had great starts again at Lyng, showing his potential and what he is capable of on the Honda CRF450R machine. I am confident that with planning and preparation for next season, Tom will be a strong contender in the class. Tom has utilised his time as Martin’s teammate to learn from him and gain experience that he just wouldn’t have had being on another team. I am hoping for big things for Tom in the future with Apico Honda.
If you had said both riders would end up in the overall top 10 of the Apico MX1 Class, after both missing out on chunks of their season respectively, I would have taken it! Tom finishes 9th on 136 points and Martin 10th on 130 points.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors, team members and our riders for representing the team on what turned out to be a testing season. I look forward to 2026 and what it brings for the team”.
