TM Motocross Bikes

With early championship leader Lee Jones still out of action with a broken shoulder it was down to three riders now to battle it out for 450 honours, Keith Farmer SMRacing Rocket Centre Aprilia UK, Chris Hodgson Robinsons of Rochdale KTM UK and Ricky Higgs Aprilia UK.

Saturdays free practise and timed qualifying was held in near perfect conditions and immediately Farmer, fresh from his World Championship debut not only set the quickest 450 time by a full second from his class rivals, he was also 5Th fastest overall. By mid afternoon with still bright sunshine Farmer remained on form again setting a blistering time for 4Th overall and again fastest 450 until the last two laps when the far side of the circuits chicane was destroyed by another rider meaning a few riders managed to hoist themselves slightly further up the leader board. Nevertheless Farmer remained on the second row and confident for Sundays three race program.

With slightly cooler conditions but still dry at this point race1 got under way with Farmer leading his class and running 5Th overall. Four laps in and open class rider Matt Winstanley crashed in the dirt and chasing hard Farmer managed to crash into the stricken rider, losing the class lead and now forced to mount a comeback Farmer rode possessed. Within four laps he was nearly back to where he started and with the last lap flag out he only had Hodgson to deal with, as the pair approached the final section farmer forced his way passed and to his teams delight the class win.

Before the start of race2 the skies grew darker and with a fifteen minute delay it turned into a downpour and as teams battled to change to wet tyres it was declared a wet race. Farmer managed to spin on the line and rounded the first lap as 4Th place 450, with great determination he began to pick of each rider including Hodgson before he now took a turn to fall in the off road remounting way down field. Farmer now sat comfortably behind Higgs until it looked like Higgs stalled around the back section handing an easy class win to Farmer.

With even heavier rain for race3 the track was beginning to suffer with several areas covered in standing water. Despite a good start to lead the class Farmer fell victim to the standing water when on lap three the rear of the Aprilia aquaplaned sending Farmer through a complete 360, as he spun down the track at speed his determination saw him hanging onto the bars and clutch and as he came to a standstill he remounted in third!! Within a few laps he was back into second and chasing down Higgs who had inherited the lead. Despite closing the gap Higgs rode solidly to take the final race win from Farmer and Hodgson in third.

With two out of three race wins Farmer took the 450 overall and now leads the 450 Championship table, Higgs finished second with Hodgson third.

The team have a week break now in which they plan to go motocross training ready to do battle at the Three Sisters in wigan for Round 5 of the Championship on 28/29 July.

Many thanks to all sponsors making this season possible:

SMRacing, The Rocket Centre, Aprilia UK, MOTUL oils, RST leathers and gloves, LAZER helmets, BERIK Boots, ARIETE Goggles and grips, TALON, POLISPORT handguards, DANGER UK graphics, STM slipper clutches, MAGURA brakes, PRO ACTION suspension, NWCosmetics, BODY WERX accident repair centre.