TM Motocross Bikes

After a long Winter training schedule and 2 weeks in Spain training on bike set up Team SMRacing Rocket Centre Aprilia UK with rider Keith Farmer embarked on what is hoped to the first of many trips to the Supermoto World Championship this past weekend for Round1 in Torino, Italy.

After initial problems at Calais when a foreign truck driver reversed into the new RDH sponsored Motorhome upon leaving the ferry causing significant damage to the front of the vehicle the team began the 2000 mile round trip.

With heavy rain upon arrival technical inspection went without any problems and the team retired early to bed ready for free practice Saturday lunchtime.

Now armed with the ultimate SXV550 for 2008 Farmer was immediately on pace, despite only working on sector times he ran top eight all session until the very end when he finished inside the top 15. Free practice 2 was more of the same and as the times came down Farmer started the session 3rd and again finished it just outside the top 10. With no more rain and a now distinct dry line the team lined up for the 40min qualifying session armed with full slicks for the first time in the day. Starting the session on a used rear tyre Farmer held his previous top 15 position for the first half of the timed session. With 20 minutes remaining and a now completely dry track a brand new rear slick was fitted to the bike and Farmer immediately went a full second faster hoisting him up to 9Th, as the final 5 minutes of the session saw many changes Farmer had one last clear run to go 1/2 second faster and with that we hoped his time would stand. In the dying moments only one rider managed to alter Farmers position and as the chequered flag went out his tenth position start for Sundays two races put him one place in front of reigning two time World Champion Gerald Delepine and in amongst many factory riders.

Sunday morning was dry, bright and warm. Morning warm up went fine and as lunchtime loomed Farmer lined up for Race1, with a very tight first turn Farmer opted for a round the outside move which paid off and he rounded the first lap in 7Th place, with three laps gone eight riders including farmer had a small gap over the chasing pack, Farmer had been shadowing double world champion Delepine for 5 laps now and chose this lap to make a move, Delepine immediately responded to the young riders cheeky out braking and two corners later passed him back, Farmer tried again to respond but this time Delepine closed the door and Farmer took a small tumble dropping him to 11Th. On the same lap two other riders had crashed and the resulting exploded hay bale greeted farmer on a fast blind turn and he again went down. Now mid race his charge in this company was heroic, battling through to 14Th at the finish and seven World Championship points.

Race two couldn't of been more different, with most riders aiming for the outside in turn one farmer got pushed off circuit and started turn two 4 from last! With great determination he round lap one in an amazing 11Th position, with a now dusty dirt section on lap five Farmer spun out in the dirt and dropped to 15Th, with all the work to do again his winter fitness training was pushed to the limit and with three laps remaining he had pushed through to 11Th, putting him 11Th overall at this point. As he chased down the rider in front the dusty dirt section was again about to prove his down fall, getting cross rutted on the fast approach to a jump the bike fired Farmer to the floor, the impact left farmer with a large gash on his right leg and with blood evident the marshalls would not let him return to his bike to finish the race.

With only race ones results to show for all his effort Farmer left Torino in 19Th overall, confident that he has top ten in the world speed now the team head to Lydd in Kent in 10 days time for Round1 of the British Championship.

Many Thanks to all those that made the journey to Torino possible and with the Team actively seeking additional support and sponsorship it is hoped we will compete in all the eight World Championship Rounds.

SMRacing, Rocket Centre, Aprilia UK, WULFSPORT Clothing, Helmets & Boots, MOTUL Oils & Lubricants, RST Leathers & Gloves, ARIETE Goggles & Grips, RK Racing Chain, NGK Sparkplugs, RDH Motorhome Centre, Pro Action Suspension.