MRO Brands 20th March

[Tark]

Solid start for Talbot

MRO Powerbike Championship
Rd 1, Brands Hatch, 20th March 2005

Up and coming Cumbrian motorcycle racer Mark Talbot (19) made a steady start today in the opening round of the 2005 MRO Powerbike championship held at the Brands Hatch racing circuit in Kent. Qualifying in 35th place from 56 entrants on Saturday, Mark finished today's two races in 31st and 22nd places respectively.

Mark, who rides a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 for the Renegade Exhausts-backed RiOT Racing team, made an appalling start to both races entering the opening Paddock Hill Bend dead last. Although he pulled a few places back in the first race he eventually found himself unable to get past riders ahead who were blocking his progress and had to settle for a disappointing (for him) 31st place at the chequered flag. Race two was a very different affair. Now feeling much more comfortable on the bike, Mark put the hammer down and scooped up 7 places on his opening lap. Locked in battle with Glynn Thomas (Kawasaki) on the final lap of the race Talbot nearly highsided his machine as he powerslided his way through the final few bends to get to the finishing line a single second ahead in 22nd place.

Afterwards the young electrical instruments apprentice from Barrow-in-Furness took a measured approach to his performance: "Overall I'm happy" he said. "The MRO series is a lot bigger than the previous championships I've been involved with. It was my first race of the season and I've beaten some of my old rivals who have also graduated to this series. I've got to get off the line a bit quicker though" he conceded.

Team Owner Jorge Vairinhos also declared himself pleased with his young protégés progress. "It's clear that Mark was very nervous this weekend and put himself under a lot of pressure" he said. "We'll be developing the bike to help him with his starts between now and the next round. Once he gets a few more races under his belt he'll be fine."

"I must give my thanks to the entire team this weekend" he continued. "They've all worked so hard, especially the mechanics who were up until 2.00am this morning preparing the machine. Bridgestone too for providing us with a superb tyre."

The second round of the MRO Powerbike Championship will be held at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire on the weekend of the 16th and 17th April.


2005 MRO Powerbike Championship Rd 1 Results:

Race 1
1st, Jonti Hobday (Suzuki) 11:24.873
2nd Kenny Everest (Yamaha) 11:36.654
3rd Carl Hunton (Suzuki) 11:37.520
31st Mark Talbot (Suzuki) 12:13.478

Race 2
1st, Jonti Hobday (Suzuki) 8:58.513
2nd Kenny Everest (Yamaha) 9:06.106
3rd Guy Sanders (Kawasaki) 9:06.340
22nd Mark Talbot (Suzuki) 9:37.290

[Ride-or-die]

lets be honest mark it was anything but a steady start lol, it was a good game of catch up for you, made us all cheering you on proud

[Biker Dude]

humm, i think Tark is leading us in to a false sense of security. he can start properly, but just likes to make things hard fro himself.....and us! :wink:

[Tark]

LOL. I am goign to use the little drag strip at Croft to practise my starts! LOL. I can see it taking some time! :roll:

[Ride-or-die]

lol yeah but once u nail em, ur'll be looking in well good shape, as u have already proved u can gain places once ur moving

[fall off]

tark didn't know you was journerlist :lol:

[Tark]

I'm Not. I have my own press officer in the team. :wink:

[Biker Dude]

...*cough* SAMMY *cough*

[Tark]

Not Sammy. She used to write them for me last year then I would change all the words! lol.

The press officer is Jon Clark:

Jon "Anorak" Clark (Press and Media Officer)

A regular attender at race meetings both home and abroad for the past 35 years, Jon first became involved in the promotional aspects of the sport in 2001 when he created and managed the website for European Superstock and World Endurance champion James Ellison. Meeting up with RiOT Racing in the paddock, Jon found a home for his passion for the sport and has been with the team ever since.

A Graphic Designer and Art Director by trade, Jon has all the necessary skills, equipment and contacts to ensure that the team and its sponsors are promoted with the utmost professionalism. Jon's articles and reports have appeared across the internet, in local newspapers, the motorcycle media and The Sun newspaper. In 2003 Jon also produced a 90-minute season review tape for the team, "Mango Power".

When you meet the team, Jon will be the one who will try to impress you with what he believes to be an encyclopaedic array of race statistics from the past 20 years. He also prides himself on weather forecasts for his native Cadwell Park circuit, which invariably turn out to be wrong.