ACU Quadcross KTM UK's Mark Watson Takes Fourth Overall
Goldspeed ACU British Quad Championship - Round 3 - June 19, 2011

KTM UK's Mark Watson took Fourth Overall aboard his KTM 450 SX ATV

Hosted by the Randers Motor Sport club for the first time ever at the Brusgaard circuit in the North East of the country, Watson made short work of getting to grips with the challenge of an all new venue and poor weather conditions to deliver an outstanding result, his final moto effort despite an overheating motor undoubtedly taking the accolade for ride of the day.

Watson placed fourth in both races

A mixture of sand-based and hardpack surfaces made more difficult by constant rain for Saturday’s two free and one qualifying timed practice sessions did little to dampen Watson’s quest to take the fastest lap and secure pole position, Watson posting ever faster times as the sessions progressed before putting the #85 Team KTM UK 450 SX at the top of the timings despite a split header pipe limiting his number of runs.

Taking to the line in slightly better conditions for the first of Sunday’s two thirty-minute plus two-lap heats, Watson gated well and slotted in to 5th around the tight first corner as the twenty-two strong field charged out for the first lap of the one mile circuit, immediately setting a blistering pace as he moved up to 3rd within three laps. Closing in on 2nd as the race progressed but unable to find a clean passing opportunity around the heavily one-lined circuit, a slight error in the closing stages saw Watson drop back a slot, taking the checkered flag after sixteen laps in 4th.

Watson currently sits fifth in the ATV Pro Points after round 3

“It’s definitely not the result that I know I should have come away with” said Watson afterwards, “but given the problems we’ve had over the weekend I’ll happily accept 4th overall. Having missed the second round in France, due to a date clash with the British Championship, I have been at an obvious disadvantage in the points tables to the guys that have done all the rounds, so to be sitting 5th at this point is a great result. The weather made things a little tricky during practice and qualifying as the hardpack portion of the circuit wasn’t holding up as well as the sand-based section, but I was able to get a great lap banked early in the qualifying session before we had the problem with the header pipe. We didn’t have a replacement with us so had to revert to a standard header for the rest of the weekend which did compromise things a little, but it’s not a problem we’ve encountered before.The track dried out a good bit for Sunday but got very one-lined and made passing a challenge, but I was happy with 4th in the opening moto and had a lot of fun working my way through in the second heat after getting caught on the opening lap. It’s a pity that I had to ease of near the end as I know that I had the pace to get on the podium, and with no chance to get the engine checked over before next weekend’s race in Poland I’ve decided to return home and start getting ready for the next British at the start of July. I know that the bike is fast, my speed is good and thanks to the T.O.P. Performance Training regime that I’ve been following since late last year my fitness levels are excellent, so I’m confident that the top step is achievable and that I can get further up the leaderboard”.

Next Race: Saturday 2nd July 2011, GOLDSPEED ACU British Quad Championship Round 3, Tinkerhill Motocross Circuit, Newry, NORTHERN IRELAND

Mark would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued and much appreciated help and support:
KTM UK, GOLDSPEED, Fox, Born Energy, T.O.P Performance Training, FMF, Motul, DWT, PEP, Berkshire Cycles, Muc-Off, D.I.D, AXP, CP Pistons, Baldwin Motorsport, Silentsport, Lonestar Racing, Quadtech, Precision, DP Brakes, Twin Air, Renthal. SSi, Jakto, Pennine Environmental Services, G-Force Suspension, One23mx.com, Hudgill Caravan Park, Idol Speed, Motion Pro, FRO Systems, Mojo, Samco Sport

Discuss this in ATVriders.com Forum