Enduro News

News

Great Stuff Catering Southern Centre
6th March 2010
Round 1

Area 51 Racing Off To Winning Ways

Ireland's newest motocross team Area 51 Racing got their '11 season off to winning ways at the opening round of Great Stuff Catering Southern Centre championship held at Dundalk Motopark, Co. Louth on March 6th. For their first official outing of the year, all five of the team's riders performed to their best pushing themselves to the forefront in each of their respective classes.

After a tough winters training Area 51 Racing's Grade A rider Sean Kelly ensured his start to the championship would be a healthy one as he raced home to finish the day third overall in the Grade A MX1. Ending the opening race with an impressive second in MX1, Kelly then backed his scorecard up with a sixth and fifth in the remaining two motos.

Competing in Grade B, Ryan Callaghan's move to the MX1 class for the season has proved a successful one by racking up two class wins and a second place. In difficult track condition's Callaghan showed he's quickly adapted to the new KTM 350sxf and has now become one of the class season favourites. Competing in Grade B MX2, Paul and Gary Marmion battled hard to end their day tenth and twelfth respectively. The team was also joined by their enduro rider Robert Lynn. Using the race as a perfect opportunity to shakedown the new TM250efi enduro model for the upcoming BSEC championship, Lynn found the conditions much to his liking collecting fifth overall in Grade B MX2.

Sean Kelly (Grade A MX1): "I've really enjoyed today even though coming into the day I was slightly nervous. The first round of a championship is always nerve racking trying to find your speed and where you fit into things. After a bad start in race one I was able to find some lines and work my way into sixth overall and third MX1. Race two was fairing a lot better until I got a rear wheel puncture with four laps to go, but managed to finish the race out. Determined to make amends, I got a great start for the final race and rode strong to end the day third overall in MX1. It's been a brilliant start and now I'm focusing on improving for the next round."

Ryan Callaghan (Grade B MX1): "I felt good all day and was happy with my riding on a difficult track. Managing to avoid the crashes early on in the first race I kept consistent and focused to come home first MX1. After crashing twice during the opening laps of the second race, I regrouped and pushed as hard as possible to come back up to second in MX1. Race three was a race long fight for the win and after exchanging the class lead numerous times I finally made a pass stick on the final lap to take the win. I'm delighted with my performance today and I'm now looking forward to the rest of the season!"

Gary Marmion (Grade B MX2): "Today was my first time riding in Grade B and I think I started out a little nervous. My best result was ninth overall, which I was pleased about and although the pace is a lot faster this year I had adjusted to it by the day's end. If I keep working on my fitness I know I can consistently finish inside the top ten."

Paul Marmion (Grade B MX2): "Today was a mixed day results wise. I had a few problems early on the held me back. After finally sorting them for the final race, I made a great start and was riding really well. With two laps to go I made some small mistakes that set me back to tenth but I know that with a good start my speed is fast enough to run up front."

Robert Lynn (Grade B MX2): "I'm really surprised with my results today! Riding an enduro bike I thought I'd be underpowered but with the difficult rutty conditions I was able to use it to my advantage. The bike performed flawless and to finish fifth in Grade B was fantastic! It's been a really good start for everyone in the team today and we look forward to round two."

The Great Stuff Catering Southern Centre championship continues on April 10th.