As we come to the end of 2025 we wanted to get our riders to provide an end of year report to discuss the season, ups, downs, highlights & achievements and looking ahead to the 2026 season.

First up is our Small Wheel 85cc rider Rafe Symons who is going into his third year of the NORA CRS Development Program.

The 2025 season marked a pivotal year for me in the Small Wheel 85cc class with the NORA CRS Development Team. It was my second year on the small wheel, and my main goals were clear: improve consistency, sharpen race craft, and push for top-ten finishes at national-level events. I started the season with a fresh training plan under Coach Robb, focusing on starts and stamina. Even with an early-season injury, I committed fully to training and fitness work – setting the tone for a season of growth.

There were plenty of standout moments. I fought hard for podium finishes at both The Monster Masters and The British Cup, along with numerous race wins and holeshots at Hampshire Youth. Qualifying inside the top 10 at MXGB Youth and Bridgestone (wildcard) was another big achievement. These results weren’t just numbers—they reflected real progress in starts, corner speed, and confidence under pressure.

Having missed the first round of the MXGB Youth Championship due to injury, I was pleased to finish 14th Overall, which meant that had I completed the first round, a top-10 finish overall would have been possible—the exact aim I set at the start of the year.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Early rounds at Culham exposed weaknesses in sand riding and bike control, and a couple of crashes at Landrake reminded me how quickly momentum can shift. The biggest lesson? Stay calm and reset quickly – mental resilience matters as much as speed. Technical prep also became a priority after a mid-season mechanical issue cost me valuable points. Every setback taught me something, and those lessons will shape my approach for next year.

Having secured places in the NORA Kids Masters, NORA British Cup, MXGB Youth, and Bridgestone, the race calendar looks exciting for next season. I’m motivated to keep building with the NORA CRS Development Team. My goals for 2026: master sand tracks, improve consistency across all conditions, and push for regular top-five finishes nationally. I’ll keep refining starts and fitness while working on race craft in tight packs. Huge thanks to NORA CRS, Coach Robb, and all sponsors for their support – 2026 is going to be bigger, faster, and better.

“Every race is a lesson, and every setback is fuel—I’m ready to make 2026 my best season yet!”