HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK spread influence in 2011

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK is one of the most prolific off-road motorcycle racing teams from the British Isles. The crew were represented by riders in no less then five different series, from FIM World Championship level (one of only three regular UK squads in the Grand Prix paddock) to junior British competition.

Founded by Irishman Roger Magee in the early part of the previous decade the unit has extended its reach into significant motocross circles both domestically and on the international stage and this is evidenced by the wide-ranging scope of achievements and appearances throughout 2011.

In the FIM MX2 World Championship Englishman Jake Nicholls overcame the disappointment of a pre-season ankle break to rally hard in eleven of fifteen rounds. Despite missing four Grands Prix Nicholls claimed eleventh overall in the world standings and posted top ten finishes in eleven from twenty-two motos on his KTM 250SX-F. The twenty-one year old also classified sixth in the Maxxis British Championship but missed three of the eight meetings due to his rehab and recovery. FIM World Championship rookie Jordan Booker completed his maiden season as an MX2 GP racer and grabbed points in three events and slotted into twelfth position in the national series.

The team rued their misfortune with injury that saw MX1 rider Graeme Irwin ruled out for the majority of the racing calendar after a crash in practice for the Grand Prix of France at St Jean D’Angely. Hugely experienced Grand Prix rider Tom Church filled the void with the 350SX-F and not only gave HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK valuable track presence in the premier class for the final third of the FIM World Championship but also travelled to the USA to enter a round of the ultra-competitive AMA Nationals. Church, who was fourth in the standings by the end of the British campaign and has now entered semi-retirement at the age of 29, gunned the 350 to a fantastic runner-up position at the prestigious Weston Beach Race in October after a valiant fight with winner David Knight.

For the past two seasons HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK has been the home to rapid Irishwoman Natalie Kane. The youngster has battled a nagging wrist injury in that time but was sixth in the FIM Women’s World Championship during 2010 and grabbed a podium result with third place in France to wrap up a frustrating 2011 term. Kane at least secured the ’11 British title once more and remains undefeated on UK shores for four years.

The team’s extensive reach into youth motocross paid dividends in 2011 as some of Britain’s brightest young talent found the tools and backing necessary to make important developments on the track. Ryan Houghton won the MXY2 British Championship and made several outings in the European EMX125 competition that ran alongside the FIM MX1/MX2 World Championship.

The highly rated Watson brothers ran amok. Nathan aced the Red Bull Youth Rookie division, was British Youth Champion and ended the campaign with sixth place on the beaches of Weston Super-Mare. Sibling Ben also controlled the Red Bull series (a parallel competition to the Maxxis British Championship) and was Big Wheel 85cc Champion. He then showed his versatility and potential by owning the Dutch ONK national 85cc contest in the same season, in spite of missing a round due to a date clash with the Red Bull calendar.

Through eight riders in 2011 HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK were able to enjoy sizeable recognition and signs are even more promising for 2012 with double former MX1 FIM World Championship runner-up Kevin Strijbos signed for Grand Prix duty. The Belgian will share an awning at the sixteen international races with Britain’s Elliott Banks Browne, who scored a top ten finish in a wild-card GP outing in 2011 and has experience in the top spheres that belies his 21 years.