Front Row GB on the Podium Again

Stan Watt of Front Row GB took a hard earned podium finish at Round 1 of the Major Hadley Series organised by the Portsmouth Motorcycle Racing Club at Rowlands Castle, Emsworth.

A mini heatwave had spread across the UK over the April weekend with temperatures hitting a high of 24 degrees, enhancing the effects of a woodland course with zero sections that would give a rider any form of respite.

Stan lined up with the other 10 championship riders on his Edmondson Racing KTM350 XC and although the four stroke generally fires up easily first time, on the drop of the flag, for once it failed to start immediately and Stan eventually set of the start line easily 20 seconds behind the last of the championship riders.

By the time Stan had left the short extreme section and area surrounding the paddock, he had made his way past two riders and settled into following the next group of riders into the main forestry section. Stan had closed the gap and moved into 5th place behind Lawerence Catt and No1 Simon Beken. Although Stan made his passes easily into 3rd place, Simon Beken immediately upped the pace to move back into 3rd for the next half lap before Stan retook 3d position and then pushed hard to catch James Jackman and Aaron Smith currently fighting for 1st place.

The podium was finalised from lap 5, unless something happened to the front runners. Stan pushed as hard as he dared in the tight and close forestry, setting consistent lap times but was unable to get close enough by the chequered flag on lap 12.

James Jackman led Aaron Smith over the line by all of 7 seconds to take top spot with Aaron 2nd and Stan making up the podium in 3rd a further 20 seconds adrift.

Thanks to;

Edmondson Racing
Voltcom Group
Talon Engineering
Adventure Spec
Arai