Jack Brunell makes history becoming the first rider to win on an electric motocross bike

YOU can always guarantee an electric atmosphere at every Arenacross event. But Stark Future team shocked a packed-out Manchester AO Arena at Round 2 of the 2024 British Arenacross Championship as Jack Brunell made history winning on a Stark Varg electric bike. It was his first main event win but also the first time an electric bike had not only raced against standard internal combustion machinery, but actually won, when Brunell came home first in the Traxxas Pro main event.

Brunell’s victory was ten years in the making and the London native dedicated the win to the memory of his late father who passed away last year. The pro final saw Brunell enjoy a thrilling battle with Harri Kullas (FUS Marsh Geartec), passing and repassing each other until Brunell managed to hold off the Estonian and establish a gap which he held to the chequered flag. Kullas finished in second, with Dylan Woodcock (Mark McCann 64 YouTube Channel) coming home in third.

The 2023 Arenacross British Championship runner-up Conrad Mewse (Crendon TRU7 Honda Racing) finished in fourth in the pro final — after initially being classed 10th following a timing problem. The 24-year-old from Somerset started the event rapidly, setting the fastest lap time in qualifying before taking a clear win in the first heat. In the second, after a collision with Kullas, he valiantly battled through the pack to finish second and set another fastest lap despite traffic.

Ahead of the final, a technical glitch meant Mewse was forced to swap to the team’s spare bike, and following a tentative start he built speed before slicing through the field again. Reigning champion Tommy Searle (Dirt Store Kawasaki) endured a frustrating chapter of his title defence. A clash with Eddie Wade (Stark Future) left him crashing out of his final heat.

He continued through to the Head to Heads before a mistake took him out in the semi-final. An injury to Tommy’s hand meant unfortunately he was unable to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier, ruling him out of the Traxxas main event. The Varg, Swedish for wolf, produces around 80bhp, a level equivalent to a well-tuned 450F motocross bike, and despite weighing slightly more, riders say it feels lighter because of how the weight is distributed.

The bike runs without a clutch, so it’s easy to ride and the electric motor is always in the ‘sweet spot’, so missing a gear is never a problem. Tickets for the Belfast double-header that takes place at the SSE Arena on January 19-20 are available from arenacrossuk. com IF you can’t make next week’s Arenacross double-header in Belfast in person, don’t worry.

AX is streaming every single round live on Vimeo so you needn’t miss a lap of the motocross action. From just £5. 71 (€6.

60) per round, you can also enjoy a host of exclusive content you won’t find anywhere. Order it at arenacross-tv1. vhx.

tv/ Matt Bates, series promoter, said: “We love exploring new technologies to share our sport. “And the Vimeo platform will allow more race fans than ever the chance to experience the live thrill of Arenacross, even if they can’t be with us in person. “But if you’re able to join us in Belfast next weekend, tickets are available at arenacrossuk.

com . ”.