Former British and European champion Paul Holmes will spearhead the challenge against the ‘locals’ when the ex-GP venue of Desertmartin in Northern Ireland hosts round two of the ACU’s Willcock British Championship on Saturday (May 2).
Holmes – champion in 2012-13 – goes to the Co Londonderry sand track as the effective leader of the series after first round winner Stefan Murphy was recently ruled out for the season after picking up a knee injury.
And Holmes (Laegers Yamaha), who looked back to his best when winning the final race at the first round at sandy Hawkstone, says he will need to put a similar performance at Desertmartin, which has never been a happy hunting ground for him.
“I can’t even remember what my best result is there. I’ve certainly never been on the podium!” admits the 27-year Yorkshireman, who was ruled out of most of last season with a shoulder injury.
A host of very quick local riders will be out ensure he doesn’t get on the podium this time either! Championship regulars Dean Colhoun, Mark McLernon, David Cowan and Justin Reid will be backed-up by local Wildcards, plus riders from the south of Ireland.
The Irish challenge will be led by 19-year-old Colhoun, (Walsh Honda), from Saintfield, who showed great speed at Hawkstone in finishing first and second in the opening two races. However Colhoun, who was second in last year’s British Under 21 Championship, was out of luck in the third race when a puncture and a crash demoted him to 13
th.
However, his performance was good enough for him finish second in the Under 12 class at Hawkstone, equal on points with England’s George Callaway.
The reigning Under 21 Champion, 20-year-old McLernon, (Walsh Honda), from Hillsborough, was out of luck at Hawkstone finishing 15
th and will be looking to get his championship back on track on home ground, as will 24-year-old, triple Ulster Champion David Cowan (Yamaha), from Banbridge, who won two British championship rounds last year but got off to a slow start at Hawkstone in 12
th.
Reid
(Can-Am)
from Comber is competing in his 19th British Championship this year and has previously won numerous Ulster, British and Irish titles. The 38-year-old came fourth in last year’s British Championship and at the opening round finished ninth overall.
Two Southern Irish riders will also be in action; Jack Raeburn from Co Tipperary travelled to Hawkstone and put in three solid races coming away with a eighth overall and Leon Rogers, from Navan, had a few mechanical issues which left him in 38
th place. However, Rogers has since hit fine form and currently leads the Ulster championship after two rounds by a point!
Last year Irish riders won half the 18 races and four of the six rounds and after a slow start (by their standards) they are keen to get back to winning ways. Trying to stop them will be a raft of championship regulars from England, Scotland and Wales, headed by Holmes.
Fourth at Hawkstone was super-consistent Sheldon Seal, 22, from Wokingham whose season last year was ruined late on when he broke his collarbone. However, a strong winter of riding, including being the best-placed Brit at the Le Touquet beach race, has seen him start this season well
Fifth is 19-year-old West Country man, Callaway, who this year has the package around him to make him a serious contender thanks to official Yamaha support.
He also has the current, but now retired, champion Paul Winrow acting as his riding coach. He’s not fond of the sand but knows he has to stay in contention until the championship arrives at his preferred hard pack tracks later this year.
Reading’s Carl Bunce, 29, a double Weston Beach race winner and current British Championship number two, is in sixth spot. This year he is campaigning an all-new RMZ-powered Handy Suzuki, built in France.
Next up is Oli Sansom, 28, from the West Midlands who is the current MCF British Beach Race champion and a British Championship regular. The final non-Irish rider in the top ten is the new kid on the block, 15-year-old Bailey Edwards, the reigning British 250 champion.
One other rider, not currently in the top ten, who certainly has the potential to win is Welshman Luke Cooper. The former British Under 21 Champion led the opening race at round one at Hawkstone before a heavy crash left him with a dislocated hip.
The programme at Destertmartin will also include adult and youth support races and a solo class.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING AFTER ROUND ONE:
1st Stefan Murphy Yamaha England 137 points
2nd Paul Holmes Yamaha England 136 points
3rd Dean Colhoun Honda Ireland 125 points
4th Sheldon Seal KTM England 117 points
5th George Callaway Yamaha England 115 points
6th Carl Bunce Suzuki England 113 points
7th Oli Sansom Yamaha England 111 points
8th Jack Raeburn KTM Ireland 94 points
9th Justin Reid Can-Am Ireland 91 points
10th Bailey Edwards Yamaha England 83 points
PROGRAMME: Saturday, May 2 8.30am Practice/qualifying
10.15am British Championship Race 1 – 20 mins +2 laps
Fastest 30 Support Quads Race 1 – 18 mins +1 lap
Non-Qualifiers Support Quads Race 1 – 12 mins +1 lap
Open Solo Race 1 – 15 mins +1 lap
Open 250cc Race 1 – 10 mins +1 lap
0pen 100cc Race 1 – 8 mins +1 lap
1.15pm British Championship Race 2 – 20 mins +2 laps
Fastest 30 Support Quads Race 2 – 18 mins +1 lap
Non-Qualifiers Support Quads Race 2 – 12 mins +1 lap
Open Solo Race 2 – 15 mins +1 lap
Open 250cc Race 2 – 10 mins +1 lap
0pen 100cc Race 2 – 8 mins +1 lap
4.30pm British Championship Race 3 – 20mins +2 laps