Ben Edwards masters Elgin in Scottish MX thriller
By Raymond Thomson/Madmax Media on 9th Jun 26
Round three of the Scottish Motocross Championship delivered a true test of skill at Elgin’s Grampian circuit, where deep sand, brutal ruts and fast straights pushed riders to their limits. Despite mixed conditions, with sunshine breaking through intermittent showers, the racing across all classes was intense, technical and relentlessly competitive.
The premier Pro MX1 class delivered exactly the kind of drama expected at this level. Ben Edwards ultimately secured the overall, but only just, with consistency proving decisive across the three motos.
Tristan Purdon looked to have the edge on outright pace, setting the fastest laps and beating Edwards in the opening two races as he continues to adapt to his new Kawasaki. However, the turning point came in race three, where a poor start followed by an early retirement ended his challenge.
That opened the door for Bobby Bruce, who stormed to victory in the final moto after applying pressure throughout the day. Edwards, meanwhile, kept his composure, finishing second in all three races to clinch the overall by a single point.
Bruce secured second overall, while Jason Meara capitalised on Purdon’s misfortune to take third. Purdon, despite two race wins, was left fourth, with Charley Irwin and Charlie Putnam completing a highly competitive top six.
In MX2, Charlie Heyman delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, dominating all three motos with speed, aggression and control. Running pace comparable to the front of the MX1 field, he underlined his status as one of the most exciting riders in the championship.
Irish riders Glenn McCormick and Jack Meara completed the podium after consistent rides, while Lewis Hall, Ryan Waggott and Luca Pegg were locked in a tight battle just behind. The demanding sand conditions rewarded commitment and line choice, with the leading group constantly swapping positions.
Beyond the headline classes, the strength of the Scottish Championship was clear, with competitive racing throughout the support categories.
Among the youth ranks, Louie Kerridge (Auto) and Josh Alexander (65s) both delivered perfect scorecards, dominating their respective classes with faultless performances. In the 85s, Liam Hannah took the Small Wheel honours through consistency, while Baili Black stood out in the Big Wheel class with a commanding display.
Jaden Anderson controlled the Youth 125/250 category with three wins from three, continuing his strong progression, while Andrew Pohlen (2-Stroke 150) and Jake Preston (2-Stroke Open) each secured maximum points in their classes.
Saturday’s Adult Support racing saw Charley Irwin and Ross Rutherford share the spoils across two contrasting motos, while Sunday’s programme highlighted experience in the Vets categories. George Stewart (Over 40), Barry Gray (Over 50) and Les Winthrop (Over 60) each delivered dominant performances, using their knowledge of the Elgin circuit to full effect.
Tony Cadman emerged on top in a fiercely contested Amateur class, while Ryan Ingram was untouchable in Adult B, taking all three motos despite poor starts.
With strong entries, competitive racing and a track that demanded the very best from every rider, Elgin once again proved its place as one of the standout venues on the calendar. Attention now turns to Round 4 at Rhynie on July 3-4, where the championship battles are set to intensify further.
