CCM roars back
By TMX Archives on 30th Aug 07
Britain's Bolton-based CCM is to return to top-level motocross with an exciting project that has been developed behind closed doors over the last two years. And T+MX exclusively reveals a flavour of the machine that will be launched at one of the major shows later this year.
Whilst the production version is not scheduled to be on sale until the second half of 2009, CCM is set to return to the racing arena with a prototype model in 2008!
With a great heritage of racing success, with riders such as John Banks, Bob Wright, Greg Hanson and the late Donny Schmidt, CCM is currently in negotiations with top ten British riders ready for their full assault on the MX1 Maxxis Championship next year.
With the right results, CCM is also looking at the opportunity of making a few appearances on the World stage in 2008 in readiness for full campaigns in 2009/ 2010. Aside from contracting a suitable rider, CCM is also in the process of recruiting other key personnel to work under the guidance of newly appointed race team manager, Bob Bratcher who has more than twenty years experience on the Grand Prix motocross scene.
n Just 12 handmade bikes will be produced purely for team use in 2008 and these will not only hopefully propel CCM back to the winners' rostrum, but will also be the testing ground for future production models. The bikes will incorporate several revolutionary
features. These include a unique, bonded aluminium chassis, being developed in conjunction with engineers from Aston Martin and Lotus, and will be a first for the motocross World. The bike has been designed to run on Bio-Ethanol E85 fuel and will use a one-piece carbon fibre sub-frame / airbox.
* The CMX450 utilises a single cylinder 450cc, liquid cooled four stroke engine with five valves and DOHC. The Keihin carburettor is supplied by the eight-litre, handmade, carbon fibre fuel tank. A titanium exhaust system rounds out a bike that in every sense will be a true factory special.
CCM Managing Director Gary Harthern proudly announced, ''This is a very exciting development for CCM and one we have been working on for some time.
''CCM has won domestic titles and even the World Four- stroke championship with Donny Schmidt, but despite coming close, never a GP, nor a World title. Whilst we know it is going to be a tough road ahead, I feel we can be on the pace next year, at British level, before moving up to the World championship in 2009. I think people will be impressed at the highly technical nature of the CMX450 when it breaks cover later in the year.''
