2011 ACU Goldspeed British Quad Championship Round 2 - Duns MX Duns, Scotland June 12, 2011 By: Alistair Plant

After taking the fastest lap in qualifying, Paul Holmes returned from his European Championship endeavours to take the Holeshot in QMX1 on a rough and muddy track. Having made an excellent start, he was then kicked from a whoop after five laps.

“I got the perfect start but came off and hurt my shoulder. There wasn’t much more I could do from that point but to retire” said Holmes, as he returned to the pits.

John Mitchell leads the race followed by #88 Jason Macbeth & #1 Paul Winrow

Scotsman John Mitchell passed and began to create a wide lead from the chasing Jason Macbeth and Paul Winrow. Mark Watson put in the fastest lap before coming off his quad and finishing in sixth. Meanwhile Winrow pressed and managed to pass Macbeth, who later explained he had been suffering from arm pump. Winrow looked to have settled for second place until Mitchell stalled on the penultimate lap. He seized the opportunity to get ahead and went on to take the chequered flag. Having also passed Mitchell, Macbeth got third as Mitchell challenged him to take back second position. Winrow commented “I tried to close in on John but he had found his rhythm. I found mine but couldn’t catch and pass. Then I saw John had stalled and was handed the win. I was happy with second but the win was a very nice bonus.”

Holmes Racing's Paul Holmes took both Holeshots on his Yamaha YFZ450R ATV

It was Holmes again in race two taking the Holeshot with Mark Watson, John Mitchell and Paul Winrow battling hard at the front. Spectators witnessed some enthralling wheel to wheel action as they all pushed for the lead, gradually closing in on Holmes. Watson and Mitchell made the pass, pushing each other hard. Mitchell then took off like a rocket over the tracks biggest tabletop, passing Watson in midair for the lead. “I was piling the pressure on Watson for the lead, he made a slight mistake on the corner which allowed me to pull alongside him and get a better line for the tabletop” said Mitchell. The pair remained tight until Watson got caught out on another tabletop and flew off it sideways. After rolling along the ground, he incredibly jumped straight back on his quad and rejoined having only lost one position to Holmes.

After holding down third postion for several laps, Paul Winrow rolled his Honda TRX450R ATV

KTM’s James Hellewell continued his great start in the under 21 category taking a further 47 points ahead of Cain Rodgers (42) and George Callaway (33).

The fast and furious action and many incidents throughout the day made it an exhilarating second round for riders and spectators alike. In the Masters Class, an impressive Paul Harkness had a superb day with the overall win. Darren Bridge had two second place finishes just ahead on points to Paul McConway who took the win in race two.

There were many outstanding performances from riders in the nine youth classes. Special mentions go to Alexander Thompson and Leon Rogers (250 Open) who’s performances as they battled each other round the track demonstrated the superb talent emerging in the youth classes as Thompson took maximum points. In the 100cc Geared race one, Bailey Edwards didn’t get off the line until everybody else was half a lap in front. He astonishingly then went on to win both races.

The first of the 50cc races was abandoned and discounted as most riders became stuck in the mud and complaints for outside assistance would have disqualified all but two riders. It was a tough call for the organisers but ultimately the race order stuck to the official programme.

The next round of the championship will be at Tinkerhill, Northen Ireland on the 2nd July and will be organised by Quad Racing Ireland, featuring the QRI QMX1, QMX2, QMXM, U21, 450cc classes. For more details, please visit www.acuquadracing.co.uk