Bitter sweet Landrake weekend for GRT Impact KTM!

This week team GRT Impact KTM made the long trip down to Saltash, Cornwall for the second round of the Michelin MX Nationals. A lot to look forward to this weekend, with our 125cc rider Joe Brookes back in action after a few weeks off the bike with a shoulder injury, and heading into the weekend with two championship leaders, Jamie Carpenter (Pro MX2) and Billy Askew (BW85).

A mix of weather this weekend as Saturday’s racing started off-dry, we had our BW85 rider Billy Askew out first. Askew came out the blocks quick on the Saturday, going fastest in qualifying, and running away with both of his two races. He set the fastest lap in both Moto’s by around 2 seconds each race, looking comfortable on the hard pack surface.

We brought the rain into Sunday with us, which wouldn’t hold off all day, providing for some difficult conditions. Unfortunately, in Moto 1 on Sunday, Billy was caught in a first turn crash with a host of other riders, forcing him to remount way behind the pack, with a lot of work to do. Billy rode his heart out to make his way back to finish 4th, setting the fastest lap of the race once again. Askew’s luck didn’t turn around for his last race of the weekend, being involved in a first lap crash once again, this time setting him even further back from the pack. Once again, Billy put on a charge to regain as many positions as possible, eventually crossing the line in 6th place.

Despite Sunday’s mishaps, it was good enough for 2nd Overall this weekend, and Billy keeps hold of the red plate. A great performance under the circumstances.

For our MXY1 riders, Ollie Colmer and Joe Brookes, it was a solid weekend for both. Ollie and Joe both showed good consistency and speed throughout the weekend, and managed to stay clear of any big mistakes. Brookes managed four solid races on his first race back since March, with four 2nd places in all races, taking home 2nd Overall. Similarly for Ollie, he would also remain consistent in all races, taking 3rd in all four too. This gave him 3rd Overall, and put two GRT Impact KTM riders on the box in the MXY1 class. Next weekend we will be looking to fight for the top spot.

In MXY2, 250cc rider Finlay Evans showed he has the speed with a comfortable 2nd place in qualifying. Finlay started the races with a solid 4th place in Moto 1, showing his speed and that he can be battling for the win. A small crash early on cost Finlay a better position in his second Moto, crossing the line in 7th, after dropping to 19th place on lap 1. On Sunday, Finlay was fighting illness, so did what he could in Moto 3 to come home 5th place. He made the decision to sit out of the last race of the weekend, so will regroup and come back again next weekend in Lyng.

Finally, Jamie Carpenter had a difficult weekend in the Pro MX2 class. Starting off positively, Jamie took 2nd in qualifying, showing a good pace as he has all year so far. Jamie went into Moto 1 full of confidence, and got out the gate well, despite racing 450cc machines in his class. Unfortunately, Jamie was caught up in a first turn crash with another few riders. He clawed his way through the pack throughout the race, showing incredible determination, and made it to 5th place across the line.

After the race had ended, Jamie and the team realised the extent of his injury from the first turn crash, was far worse than expected. Unfortunately, Jamie wasn’t able to line up for Moto 2, and headed off to hospital with a laceration to his arm. He is stitched up now and will let it heal over the week, before heading to Lyng this weekend.

Overall a bitter-sweet weekend for the team, but we will look at the positives, and we are coming away with three podium positions and a red plate. We will regroup this week, and go into Lyng for the Revo ACU British Championship healthy and ready to race.