Supermoto Rowrah

Rowrah race circuit, near Frizington hosted  Round 3 of the British Supermoto Championship 30-31 May 2026. 

Supermoto and Its Development in the United Kingdom

Supermoto is one of the most exciting forms of motorcycle racing because it combines several disciplines into a single event. Riders race on tracks that feature both asphalt and dirt sections, demanding skills from road racing, motocross, and flat-track competition.

The sport began in the United States in 1979 when motorcycle promoter Gavin Trippe created a television event called Superbikers for ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The idea was simple: bring together the best riders from different motorcycle disciplines and discover who was the ultimate all-round racer. The mixed-surface circuit at Carlsbad Raceway featured tarmac, dirt, jumps, and corners that tested every aspect of motorcycle skill. Legendary riders such as Kenny Roberts and Jeff Ward competed in the event. 

Although the American television series ended in the mid-1980s, European riders took the concept home, particularly to France, where it became known as “Supermotard.” The sport quickly grew across Europe and eventually evolved into international championships. The first official Supermoto World Championship was held in 2002. 

Supermoto in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom embraced Supermoto during the 1990s and early 2000s as riders from motocross, road racing, and off-road backgrounds discovered the challenge of mixed-surface racing. British circuits such as Three Sisters, Teesside Autodrome, Rowrah, Crail, and Cadwell Park became regular venues for national competition. Today, the UK’s premier series is the British Supermoto & SuperLite Championship, which hosts multiple rounds across England and Scotland and attracts riders ranging from beginners to elite professionals. 

The championship is organised and operated by the British Supermoto & SuperLite Championship, which runs national events and maintains championship standings throughout the season. The series continues to promote the sport across Britain with classes for different ages, abilities, and machine types. 

Supermoto Rowrah – British Championship 

The British Supermoto Championship has produced many successful riders over the years, helping develop talent that has gone on to compete internationally. Because championships are divided into several classes and the title changes annually, the current champion depends on the season and class being referenced. The modern British championship recognises champions across multiple categories, from Elite riders to developing Academy competitors. 

After the Supermoto Rowrah meeting #100 Alex Mullaney leads the championship after three rounds. Last year’s champion, #74 Chris Hodgson who successfully secured both the ACU British and National Supermoto titles had “retired”. It didn’t last long missing the first two rounds he was back on it at the quarry. Alex Mullaney and Blake Wilson pushed Chris Hodgson all the way.

Why Supermoto Remains Popular

Supermoto’s appeal lies in its versatility. Riders must transition seamlessly between high-grip asphalt corners and loose dirt sections, often while jumping the motorcycle and sliding through turns. The bikes themselves are usually lightweight motocross-based machines fitted with 17-inch road-racing wheels and powerful brakes.

Today, Supermoto remains one of the most demanding and entertaining motorcycle sports in the world. From its origins as a television experiment in California to a thriving championship scene in the United Kingdom, it continues to attract riders and fans who appreciate a discipline that rewards complete motorcycle control and adaptability.

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Thanks to Scott Grant for this report, you can see more of Scott Grants images here.