Team ATV World Yamaha's Leon Beda took an overall fourth place in round four of the 09 ACU British MMX Quad Championships on Sunday 24th May.

Held at the Asham Woods track in Frome, Somerset, the team were greeted with sunshine and a well prepared natural fast track, with a huge steep hill that tested both rider and machine. This round also attracted two top European Yamaha riders, Dutch rider Joe Maessen and top French rider Mattieu Ternynck. Unfortunately, team rider John Mitchell could not attend due to an aggravated injury.

As the qualifying got under-way Leon Beda put in fourth fastest time with current British Champ Honda UK's rider Paul Winrow in 5th. Pick of the gate was very important as the start straight was short and a 180 degree turn onto the track, so the inside start gates was where the riders wanted to be.

As the riders filed into the gates for race one, the air temperature was rising to well over 20 degrees and the dust was going to be a concern for the riders. The gates dropped and it was very much an international affair with Ternynck, Winrow and Holmes battling for supremacy with Maessen, Beda and Jason Macbeth in a wheel to wheel fight. With now the intense heat of the day and a gruelling 15 minutes gone, Leon had to ride defensively to keep Macbeth at bay. As the dust became almost impossible for the riders to make safe moves the remaining 15 minutes saw little overtaking so the solid ride for Leon gave him a fifth place finish and a good bag full of points.

Although the track had been watered earlier, in the latter stages of race two the dust again became a bit of a problem. Leon put in some real gusty riding as he attempted in the first 15 minutes an overtaking manoeuvre on KTM UK's Team rider Paul Holmes for third position up the very steep hill of the Frome track. Holmes defended his line and moved his machine in front of Leon's Yamaha YFZ450. Leon had no option then but to brake heavily which cost him several bike lengths as he had to then 'get' going on a very steep incline. He then had an intense battle with Yamaha's European rider Joe Maessen for the remainder of the second moto and took fourth place.

Leon comments after a very hard days racing was that the pace was relentless coupled with extreme dust problems, however his quad had copped with the conditions very well and the Elka/Laeger suspension gave him confidence throughout the day to ride hard. He was disappointed not to have another podium but was pleased that with another two consistent rides he solidities his fourth overall in the MMX British and is firmly focused on catching third position. He would like to thank his sponsors for the top quality products that are provided to make it possible.

Sean Goss had another strong performance on his ATV World Yamaha YFZ450. Taking a solid 16th finish in race one, Sean then powered his way to 10th place in race two and secured an overall 13th place. Ricky Tordoff made a good start with a 10th place finish in race one but suffered misery in race two with a technical problem. Meanwhile Dean Thompson was continuing his development into the adult class with a very good 20th position and continues improving his overall speed. Josh Barrett took 18th place in race two and is clearly delighted with his ongoing progression, adding to his points tally. Round five of the 09 ACU British MMX Quad Championships will be held on Sunday 21st June in Banbury.