ACU Goldspeed British Quadcross Championship, Round Five, Langrish Moto Park, 28th August
Team ATV World Yamaha UK rider John Mitchell kept a healthy gap at the top of the leader board during round five of the ACU Goldspeed British Quadcross Championship despite his kill switch coming out in race two, ending his chances of a podium finish.
Held at the Langrish circuit during the prestigious 45th Ken Hall Trophy weekend, huge crowds enjoyed the day’s quad racing action. It was the first time John had raced at the fast paced, hard packed track and he was pleased with a third quickest lap time in qualifying.
Having just won the Scottish Championship a week earlier, John took the lead out of the second corner in race one. By the end of lap two, Paul Holmes and Mark Watson had got behind him as the three riders began to pull a gap from the rest of the pack. On lap three John left too much space on the inside as Holmes passed, then Watson got through on the outside. Despite getting very close to passing Holmes in the closing stages, John couldn’t get passed and settled for a solid third place.
Gating sixth in race two, John was forced to stop in the middle of the track during lap one as his kill switch accidently came out. Restarting the race in 16th, John pushed hard to regain position and made nine places to finish an impressive seventh. The result wasn’t enough to get on the podium, finishing overall in fourth.
Commenting afterwards, John said: “Langrish wasn’t my style of track. I was happy with my pace but it was unfortunate with what happened with the kill switch. It still leaves me in a very strong position in the championship.”The final two rounds will take place at Milton Park in a double weekend on the 1st and 2nd of October.“I rode at Milton Park for the NORA MX Championships in July as preparation for the final two rounds. I took two wins from there and that gives me confidence when we return for the deciding rounds. Finishing overall fourth today is still a good result.”
Overall Results
1st Mark Watson – KTM
2nd Paul Holmes – Yamaha
3rd Jason Macbeth – Honda
4th John Mitchell – Yamaha
Both John and the rest of the team wish to thank all the organisers for hosting such an excellent event as the championship enters its closing stages.
Thanks again for all the support from sponsors who along with their outstanding products have helped develop a potential championship winning team for the 2011 season.