Adam Collings - under the radar
By TMX Archives on 22nd Mar 17
Fifteen year old Adam Collings from Brimpton in Berkshire is one of those youth riders very much under the radar, but very much with a big future in the sport.
In 2014 claiming a fourth place championship finish in the Thor British Youth Nationals - winning one heat along the way – he certainly made a big impression that year.
Moving up to the Big-wheel 85's and racing primarily in Holland last year, he finished fifth in the ONK series and fourth in the highly prestigious Dutch Masters. In the ONK championship he carded seven individual moto wins and twice topped the overall podium, that could have been further improved with a higher championship finish, had he not suffered machine problems at some rounds.
In the Dutch Masters Adam saved his best show of the year until last. At the final round a third place finish in the series closer secured third step on the podium, it also meant he finished on the same championship points as series third.
Adam was back in the UK for just two big events last year resulting in two highly rated overall wins to brag about. One on the 85cc machine, the other moving up to 125cc.
At the MX Nationals round five event at Wakes Colne in August and still on an 85, Adam won three out of four to claim victory. Then in his 125's debut bow at the British Youth National finale at Cusses Gorse Adam announced he was a force to be reckoned with at his new level, nailing two moto wins and the overall.
In preparation for this years attack on EMX 125's and another tilt at the Dutch Masters, Adam's first big outing was at the Hawkstone Park International in February. In qualification Adam hit pole 1.6 seconds in front of the combined 250F and 125's field - going on to win the opening two races in some style. Crashing in the final race meant he had to fight his way through from a mid pack position. Ultimately finishing in sixth was no disgrace, and it also meant going 1-1-6 he stole the show as overall winner putting the 250F crew in particular to the sword.
The opening round of the Dutch Masters comes up this weekend at Oss with the EMX 125's opener at Valkenswaard April 23rd.
Realistically in his first full year on the 125, this year should be a learning season at the higher level of European racing, that said, any results inside the top 20 in EMX 125's and top ten in the Dutch Masters will represent a more than solid return for Adam.
In his corner this year under his racing team name Hardcore Vega Solutions KTM, Adam has sponsors, Hardcore Racing, Vega Solutions, Apico, Leatt, Premier Bikes, Pol Motors, Super MX, FTR suspension and Eat My Dirt graphics all helping out.
