| |  | | |
SUPERMOTO KINGS SR-Off Road have set their sights on the top after a stunning opening display in Belgium yesterday (Sunday 8 May 2005).
Rider Sam Warren, 22, of Belper, Derbyshire, finished an incredible seventh position out of a 30-strong field of world-class opposition at The Citadel racetrack in Namur and Mick believes Sam and Wirksworth-based SR Off-Road have what it takes to go all the way to the top.
He said: “To finish seventh in your first Grand Prix is amazing. It has totally changed our expectations. We are very, very pleased - almost ecstatic.
We expected to go over there and not make fools of ourselves, but we’ve now come away with much higher expectations for next year.” Mick was full of praise for the SR Off-Road team and rider Sam Warren.
“With the right backing, this team could be there or thereabouts to take the World Championship itself. There is a new generation of World-class British Supermoto riders coming through in the UK and Sam is one of them.”
SR’s success is not going un-noticed - local firms including CJ Timms Electrical Services are keen to be associated with the team through sponsorship deals.
Among the riders trailing in Sam Warren’s wake was Max Manzo of Team Aprillia who finished fourth in the World last year. Mick made light of SR’s relatively low-budget operation.
“We actually parked the SR team van next to the Aprillia team - they had an entire minibus just for their mechanics!” Sam Warren took part in two races - both of which he qualified for a grid position.
Conditions at the track were difficult, with constant rain hampering riders. In his first race disaster struck as Sam’s goggles broke in the wet conditions, forcing the rider back into 14th place.
However, Sam’s 7th placing in Race 2 proved his world-class pedigree. SR Off-Road next race in the Czech Republic on May 22.
Added Mick: “We took the opposition by surprise in Belgium and must have rattled a few cages. Next time they will be better prepared for us.”
|
