Desert's calling
By TMX Archives on 6th May 09
THIS Saturday, May 9, the elite of British Quad riders will converge on Desertmartin for round three of the 2009 ACU British MMX Quad Championships. Quad Racing Ireland, in association with the QRA, will promote the event at the Cookstown club's spectacular circuit at Porters Pit. After one of the most explosive and closely contested starts for thepast five years, no less than three different riders winning theopening four races at the previous two rounds, the stage is set forsome exciting and entertaining racing action around the challenging GPcircuit.
The depth of talent that will be on display will make for some fantastic battles throughout the day. Team KTM UK's Paul Holmes currently leads the series, the two-times British Under-21 Champion taking his and KTM's first British race and overall win after a superb display at the previous round, but the margin is only two-points to current British Champion, Paul Winrow.
Winrow is no doubt confident that he can repeat his winning performance from 2008 at the sandy venue as he sets his sights on his tenth British crown for Winrow Honda. Having dominated the opening round of the series, ATV World Yamaha's John Mitchell has dropped back to third with a 15-point deficit to make up after a nasty tumble in the final moto of the previous meeting.
Meanwhile, Multi British Under-21 and 250cc Champion, Jason MacBeth, has shown a return to form after surgery and is sure to be a threat for a podium finish. Mark Watson and Carl Bunce too cannot be ruled out of the equation after a superb display at the Desert' in 2008, while Stefan Murphy splits the pair in the tables and is adapting quickly to running his own team.
Not to be left out and no doubt putting their local knowledge of the circuit to good use, local riders are well represented in the Premier class and are more than capable of outstanding results. Multi British and Ulster Champion, Justin Reid, currently leads the field for the locals, the Comber based rider showing a welcome return to speed and is more than capable of a podium finish. David Cowan is hot on his heels in the standings and in confident mood after a double race win at the recent Ulster meeting in Tinkerhill.
Twice Ulster Champion, Sean Goss, has had his best start since 2007 and will be looking to build on his performance, while current Ulster Champion, David Wray, is getting up to speed after struggling with fitness at the start of the year.
Dean Thompson, in his rookie year, has secured points from both meetings to sit in the top 20 and should also do well at the testing venue, while 2008 British Qualifier Quad Champion and former Ulster Champion, Cathal McGilligan, is gradually getting to grips with his all-new Team Can-Am DS450XMX and will no doubt finish well inside the top 20.
Desertmartin is located at Rectory Road, just off the B40 Desertmartin to Draperstown road, and will be well signposted.
Further information about this and other upcoming events can be found at the wenbsite www.quadracingireland.com