Paul Holmes Has Great Start at European Quad Championship

Holmes Racing's Paul Holmes and his KTM Race Quad

Oldebroek, Holland (4/7/2010) - Holmes Racing's Paul Holmes had a great start to the 2010 Goldspeed European Quad Championship with a 4th overall, keeping the No.1 plate very much in his sights.

The long awaited 2010 UEM championship began last weekend at Stichting Circuit, Oldebroek in The Netherlands. Despite the small town's modest population, and a weekend demoralised by bad weather, the crowds turned out with great enthusiasm and were rewarded with some spectacular race action. The weather played a huge part in the weekend's action, with persistent rain drenching the deep sand track. A good bike set up was essential for a decent qualifying and race position.

Holmes came away with the fastest lap of the practice sessions which were
made up of two sets of twenty one riders.

Heading into Qualifying, visibility worsened as rain continued to pour
throughout but Holmes managed to clench 3rd place in his group, only 1.090
seconds behind 1st placed rider Jan Vlaeymans giving him 5th gate pick on
Monday's race day.

Holmes Racing's pit are at Round 1 of the 2010 Goldspeed Euoropean Quad Championship series

Race 1 proved both spectacular and nerve racking. As reigning Champion
Holmes set aside any pressure of riding with the No 1 plate and got a good
start rounding the first corner in 2nd place behind Davy Decuyper. Despite
goggle problems Holmes battled on but Couprie stole 2nd place as Holmes lost
out on a tricky corner. Couprie took the lead from De Cuyper with Holmes in hot pursuit. Holmes claimed 2nd place as he crossed the line just 3.380 seconds behind Couprie.

Race 2 started with an impressive start for Holmes who was in 3rd after the
first corner. As he battled continuously with Jan Vlaeymans and Davy Brems,
Couprie was on a determined charge from one place back. With only three
corners to go, and the top four riders within two seconds of one another
Couprie went to overtake Holmes and came off his quad as the pair collided.
Despite losing valuable time stuck in the sand entangled with Couprie, Holmes managed to finish in 5th.

Holmes made another cracking effort out of the gate in the final race, ending the first lap in 3rd place. The track was extremely rough but Holmes looked comfortable until disaster struck with a rear shock problem making it impossible to keep up the quick lap times. With a bit of well thought out damage control, he settled for 7th place, and an overall of 4th, affording him fifty two points toward the championship.

"I am happy with today's performance, and being the top British finisher is great with the start of the British Championship just around the corner. 4th in the European is a good start and am feeling confident heading into Round 2 in my home nation at Langrish. I would like to once again thank my team and sponsors for all their help" Holmes said after the conclusion of the race.