Fancy some more SXS action or even want to see if you can get on the podium? Look no further as the DIRT Nationals – a new, UK-based SXS racing series – kicked off last weekend! 

The UK based off-road racing series is open to all makes and models of off-road vehicles, cars and SXS – including the Polaris RZR. The DIRT Nationals is a multi-class championship creating a mashup of motocross, rallycross and off-road racing. This year the championship consists of four rounds all taking place at different sites. Designed to prove who is the ‘true’ British Champion the contenders will take on a variety of off-road terrain and multi-discipline competitions. 

The first round of DIRT Nationals 2023 was the Super Enduro round. Slightly different from the other three rounds and last year’s championship, the Super Enduro round is a tough one-day race in mid Wales. The following three rounds will follow the traditional layout, consisting of short 20-minute one lap races with a total of five heat races per class – competitors are split into four classes: Class 1, Class 2, UTV and Suzuki Spec Class. At the end of the two days there will be one Super Final race. 

Class 1 & 2 vehicles are determined by the vehicle specification and the points that those specifications accumulate to. 

Class 2 – up to 5 points

Class 1 – 6 points and over

​Engine 4.8 and above – 2 points

Tyres over 37” – 1 point

Full tubular chassis – 1 point

Hydraulic steering – 3 points

Bypass shocks (including IBP) – 2 points

The first round kicks off this weekend, followed by the second round taking place on 9 – 11th June 2023 which is open to spectators. 

Round information:

Round 1: Super Enduro

21st – 23rd April 

Llandrindod Well, Wales

Round 2: Dirt Rodeo

9th – 11th June

Binegar, Somerset

Round 3: Thunder Valley 

28th – 30th July

Stourport-on-Severn

Round 4: National Finals

15th – 17th September

Herstmonceux, Sussex

History of DIRT Nationals

Speaking to Rob, we took a trip down memory lane and to see how DIRT Nationals came about. 

“During the pandemic, off road racing was limited and as a result the UK off road scene was becoming stagnant and troublesome to navigate after Brexit. Our team decided to rekindle our series that we dabbled with back in 2010 originally known as ‘British Dirt’, now in 2023 to be officially re-launched as DIRT Nationals.”

Rob continued: “In the UK there are very limited opportunities to race wheel to wheel off-road, as many events are staged starts, long multi day endurance races – which are extremely tough on the teams and the cars – and very much “not” a spectator sport. Our primary objective when launching DIRT Nationals was to create a fun, competitive and exciting motorsport series that could be enjoyed by the teams and spectators too. DIRT Nationals is fast paced thrilling off road motorsport, which encourages the teams to race hard and aggressively generating a lively and exciting atmosphere.”

2021 saw the first pilot event and had great success. In 2022, DIRT Nationals ran two races which were opened up to over 500 spectators and 27 competing teams. 

For more information on the DIRT Nationals Championship visit www.dirtnationals.co.uk. 

For more information on the Polaris RZR click here.