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2011 ACU Goldspeed
British Quad Championship
Round 4 -Dean Moor MX
Whitehaven, Cumbria
July 24, 2011
By: Alistair Plant
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ATV World's
John Mitchell Continues Win Streak at Dean Moor
MX
Paul
Holmes & Stef Murphy Round out British Masters
ATV Pro Podium
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ACU
British Quad Racing
Round 4 - Dean Moor MX
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Cumbria-
Round four of the ACU Goldspeed British QX Championship
saw John Mitchell extend his unbeaten lead, taking
the overall win at the beautifully scenic Dean Moor
Motocross Park in Cumbria. Hosted by the NETT Iveston
& Satley MCC, it was also round three of the
youth championship. Spectators were gripped by an
action packed day of 24 races, as well as some outstanding
individual performances throughout the different
racing classes.
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ATV World's John
Mitchell is currently 4-4 in the Goldspeed
British QX Championships aboard his Yamaha
YFZ450R ATV
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There was a mere two second difference between the
fastest rider Paul Holmes and tenth place in qualifying
showing just how close the competition would be
for racing. KTM’s Mark Watson racing at his
local track stormed out of the dust and took the
holeshot for race one. Looking comfortable he quickly
began to curve a gap in front of Dutchman Davey
Decuyper who was making an immediate impact at his
first British Championship. Behind him was current
champion Paul Winrow, battling to keep John Mitchell
from passing. “I wasn’t too pleased
about gating fourth. I was behind Winrow and could
see Watson was pulling away. I think it was lap
five when I passed him and then chased down and
overtook Decuyper but Watson had pulled too much
of a gap.” explained Mitchell.
With an 11.45 second lead, Watson took the checkered
flag saying “I’ve no complaints with
that!” It was an impressive display from
the local man who also took the fastest lap time.
Mitchell finished in second and a fine performance
from Holmes saw him fight his way back from a
14th place start, all the way up to third! “I
worked as hard as I could to get up to third but
the two leaders had got away and it was really
hard to catch” Holmes said as he commented
on the race outcome.
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KTM
UK's Mark Watson took the Moto1 aboard his
KTM 450 SX |
Holmes
Racing's Paul Holmes battled it out with points
leader John Mitchell for the win |
With the track watered during the break, the
QMX1 riders prepared for race two with ATV World
Yamaha’s John Mitchell taking the holeshot
and leading from Watson, Giles Davis, Holmes and
Jason Macbeth. Watson passed Mitchell on lap three
to take the lead only to suffer a broken axle
as he landed from the biggest dropdown on the
track. “I started to pull away but smashed
the axle and that was game over. Just one of those
things and you’ve got to move on”
Watson reflected as he was put out of contention.
Mitchell then found himself with a big gap from
Holmes who had been battling to take the second
position. Meanwhile David Wray had been busy overtaking
his way from sixth into third place, making up
for his unfortunate DNF in race one. That’s
how it stayed with Mitchell taking the win and
overall round, followed by Paul Holmes and David
Wray.
Finding his rhythm and getting back on the podium
after two years, SMR Nora-MX rider Stef Murphy
had an excellent day finishing fifth and fourth.
Not only did that give him third overall but a
decisive victory in the under 21 British Championship,
ahead of Luke Cooper and Connor Smith. “I
got some OK starts today and benefited a bit from
other things going on during the race. It’s
been a good steady round with consistent results”
commented a very pleased Murphy.
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British
Masters Pro ATV Class Podium (left to right)
Paul Holmes (2nd), John Mitchell (1st),
Stefan Murphy (3rd)
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In the British Masters, the action as ever was
fast and furious with Paul Harkness taking first
place in race one ahead of an on-form Antony Barrett
only for Barrett to take first in race two ahead
of Harkness and take the overall win. Darren Bridge
finished third overall with a fourth and third
finish.
There were 22 riders competing in the supports
with Josh Waring riding in superb form in his
first year in the adult class, taking the overall
victory ahead of David Coatsworth and Emma McQuaid.
It was round three in the youth classes of the
British Championship and everyone was eager to
pick up more points with the 250cc standards and
stock first out. In the 250cc standards, Bradley
Swinbank dominated with maximum points, as did
Alexander Thompson in the 250cc hybrid class.
The one and only Anna Dawson bagged all the points
in the 250cc stock class, while Josh Coombs had
an excellent day taking the overall win and finishing
first place in race two.
In the 100cc geared, modified and standard classes
there was wheel to wheel action with Bailey Edwards
most notably taking maximum points from the 100cc
geared class with Jonty Wright doing the same
in the 50cc standard class. Shelly Smart took
the overall win in the 50cc modified.
The next round of the championship will be at
Langrish MCC in Hampshire on the 28th August.
Adult classes only. For more details, please visit
www.acuquadracing.co.uk
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