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KTM UK's
Mark Watson took third overall aboard
his KTM 450SX
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Tinkerhill, Northern Ireland
(7/5/2011) - Team
KTM UK’s Mark Watson made it back to back
podium finishes in the 2011 GOLDSPEED ACU British
Quad Championship at the weekend, the Cumbrian
rider taking a superb 3rd overall with a 2-3 scorecard
that propels him three places in the overall Championship
standings to 2nd.
Promoted by Quad Racing Ireland at the picturesque
but demanding Tinkerhill Motocross circuit in
Northern Ireland on Saturday the 2nd of July,
Watson’s performance on his debut appearance
at the historic County Down circuit was one
that had the large crowd in attendance long
after the racing had drawn to a close, his epic
performance also rewarded with promotion to
3rd in the 450 Class with just two points the
gap to 2nd.
Taking to the hardpack circuit for the morning’s
free practice and timed qualification session
with clear skies and sunshine overhead, Watson’s
day did not get of to the best of starts with
a run back to the pit box to get his spare bike
after a mechanical problem with his race bike
early in the session, but having quickly learned
the fast and flowing layout Watson posted 3rd
fastest time and a good pick of gate.
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Watson currently
sits second in the ATV Pro points with
99 points after round 3
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As the mechanical gates dropped for the first
twenty-five minute plus two-lap races, Watson
got fantastic drive off the line and swept around
the tight right-hander in 3rd and hot on the
tails of the leading duo. Using the excellent
handling of the Team KTM UK 450 SX as he attacked
the circuit, Watson moved up to 2nd with five
of the eighteen laps run and gradually closed
down the leader as the race progressed. Reducing
the ten second deficit to less than a bike length
and now embroiled in a three way tussle for
the lead with the two-lap board being shown,
Watson made a move around the outside on the
approach to a corner only to be t-boned and
pushed wide, with the rider behind capitalizing
and taking over at the front, Watson recouping
the lost ground and mounting an attack on the
last lap but unable to make the pass stick and
taking the checkered in 2nd.
A slightly poorer start to the final heat of
the day saw Watson head out on the opening lap
in 6th and immediately begin to work his way
forwards, completing the first full circuit
of the 0.9 mile track having gained a spot for
5th. Struggling slightly in the early stages
to find a way past on the watered surface, Watson
lost a little time to the breakaway group as
he fought through the field, moving up to 4th
on lap three before slotting in to 3rd on the
following lap. With the leading duo having opened
up an eight second lead as he negotiated his
way through the traffic, Watson maintained pace
and pegged the gap but was unable to reduce
it further without taking unnecessary risks,
taking the wise decision to settle for a safe
3rd and moving up to 2nd in the overall Championship
standings.
Speaking after another outstanding result,
Watson said “overall its been a good weekend
and I’m really happy with the results
I’ve come away with. I’ve never
ridden here before so I had no idea what set-up
we needed for the bike, but we quickly got the
circuit dialled in and I was able to post a
decent time in qualifying despite having to
run back for my other bike. I got a really good
start in the first heat and once I got in to
2nd I knew I could close the gap, and when I
went around the outside I surprised the guy
in front and he just ploughed in to the side
of me allowing the guy following us both to
slip through. It was a rash move and could have
easily cost us both a lot of positions, but
I managed to get back to 2nd but just hadn’t
enough laps or passing opportunities to take
the win. I didn’t get a good jump in the
last one and lost too much time working my way
through in the first three laps, but 3rd is
OK at this stage as it was more important to
get good some good points on the board with
over half the series still to go. As a proper
production based bike the Team KTM UK 450 SX
is really competitive against the Hybrid machines
that are out there and I know that my pace and
fitness are good, so I’m really looking
forward to the next round at Dean Moor where
I’ll be aiming for the top step on the
podium”.
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, Silentsport,
Lonestar, 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
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Goldspeed ACU British Quad Championship
- Round 3 - Tinkerhill
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| Race 1 |
|
| Position |
Rider |
| 1 |
John Mitchel |
| 2 |
MARK WATSON Team KTM UK |
| 3 |
Paul Holmes |
| 4 |
Paul Winrow |
| 5 |
David Wray |
| 6 |
Justin Reid |
| 9.. |
JAMES HELLEWELL Team KTM UK |
| Race 2 |
|
| Position |
Rider |
| 1 |
Paul Holmes |
| 2 |
John Mitchell |
| 3 |
MARK WATSON Team KTM UK |
| 4 |
JAMES HELLEWELL Team KTM UK |
| 5 |
David Wray |
| 6 |
Carl Bunce |
| Goldspeed
ACU British Quad Championship
- ATV Pro Points |
| Position |
Rider |
Points |
| 1 |
John Mitchell |
144 |
| 2 |
MARK WATSON Team KTM UK |
99 |
| 3 |
David Wray |
98 |
| 4 |
JAMES HELLEWELL Team KTM UK |
89 |
| 5 |
Carl Bunce |
84 |
