Former ACU British Quad Champion Paul Holmes heads to the final round of the 2015 series at Canada Heights in Kent on Sunday (October 4) protecting a 54 point lead and looking odds-on to clinch his third title.
Only another former champion, Justin Reid, has a realistic chance of overhauling Holmes over the three 20-minute races, but he would probably need Holmes to have a disaster in one of them to do so.
With a maximum of 150 points available to the winner on the day, three other riders have a mathematic chance of catching Holmes – George Callaway, Dean Colhoun and Carl Bunce. However Callaway is highly unlikely to ride after suffering multiple injuries in a crash last week and Colhoun and Bunce are 74 and 76 points adrift respectively.
Since the last round over two months ago Holmes has not raced in the UK and has been away working on Qatar where he is training top desert racer, Mohamed Abu Issa, as he prepares for a crack at the Dakar rally.
After Sunday’s race Holmes will return to Qatar to continue the programme, plus take part in local races. He will then go to the 2016 Dakar, which starts on January 2 and races for two weeks through Argentina and Bolivia, to drive Abu Isa’s support vehicle.
“I came back last week to get everything ready for Canada Heights. I’m feeling pretty fit and looking forward to it,” said Holmes. “ I probably can’t win the championship in the first race, but I’d like to get it won before the last race.”
One rider who could play a big part in the day is Welshman, Luke Cooper, who has never been in the championship race after suffering an early season injury, but who has been in superb form in last two months and won fifth round at Dean Moor.
Other top riders confirmed include Sheldon Seal, Mark McLernon and Lindsey Duke.
Included in the three races is the British Under 21 Championship class. With the points leader, Callaway, injured, second placed Colhoun only needs a handful of points to secure his first title. However with just 77 points splitting second to seventh the battle for the lower places will be intense.
The riders involved will be Cooper, James Bevan, Murray Graham, Bailey Edwards and Luke Davies. Other Under 21 riders who could make in impression include Harry Walker, plus the new ACU Clubman Champion, Dafydd Davies.
There will be a full line up of 40 quads at Canada Heights in a meeting that also includes the final round of the Maxxis British Sidecar Championship and support solos. The track has also been redesigned since last year.
Canada Heights is situated in Button Street, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8DX, which is off the A20 between Farningham and Swanley.
Leave the M20 or M25 at the Swanley Interchange (
Junction 3 M25) following the
brown Brands Hatch chequered flag signs. On the roundabout underneath the motorway pick up the signs to the meeting. Take the Farningham / Brands Hatch exit from the roundabout. Go straight over the roundabout by the council yard and take the first left (Button Street). The track is approximately 1 mile down the lane on the right hand side before the motorway tunnel. Camping is permitted.
Points after five of six rounds:
1 Paul Holmes (Yamaha) 654; 2 Justin Reid (Can-Am) 600; 3 George Callaway (Yamaha) 590; 4 Dean Colhoun (Can-Am) 580; 5 Carl Bunce (Suzuki) 578; 6 Luke Cooper (KTM) 462
Under 21:
1 George Callaway (Yamaha) 689; 2 Dean Colhoun (Can-Am) 651; 3 Luke Cooper (KTM); 4 James Bevan (KTM) 521; 5 Murray Graham (Yamaha) 521; 6 Bailey Edwards (Yamaha) 474