Carl Ogden Photography

Norasport / British Supermoto Championship Round from Sports City, Manchester, July 2010

Only a limited amount of images from Sports City, a test day with my new Canon 1D Mk4, which I’m really impressed with!

Click Here for the Gallery

SMRacing, the most successful privately owned team in British Supermoto has decided to take some time out from the sport. Despite a strong relationship with Aprilia UK over the last three years the recent economic downturn has meant it has been difficult to reach an agreement to continue for 2010 with the Italian brand.

After working with many manufacturers over eight successful years and a number of riders that have gone on to achieve success it is thanks to all riders past and present that have contributed to the position the team holds now in the sport of well turned out machinery and hard charging committed young riders.

Over the last five seasons long term team rider Keith Farmer has achieved success beyond initial expectations, with British Championship race wins and multiple Irish Championship titles not to mention becoming the highest ever placed English rider at the International Superbiker of Mettet and three times vice British Champion. Keith has given his all and is instrumental in the teams success to date. Ollie Harrison was another Junior rider to stay with the team for a number of seasons and eventually gave SMRacing their only British and National title in 2008 sweeping every event he entered.

Team Owner and manager Keith Needham commented “It is hoped that at some point in the future we may make a return to Supermoto and have left options open for Keith Farmer who is now short circuit racing in Ireland to ride again at Mettet and of course the P&O winter Series later this year, if we can find the support from within the industry anything is possible in the future.” He went on to say ” It is sad that things have come to an abrupt stop but we are realistic to know that everyone has suffered over the last year or so and would like to thank all those that stuck with us despite uncertain times.”

SMRacing will still stay in the competitive arena but working in British Youth Motocross focusing in particular on the under 10′s on domestic and Elite youth cup support with up and coming Auto and 65 riders for Cobra Motorcycles, Americas most successful mini bike manufacturer winning multiple national championships over the pond. It is hoped that some sponsors will transfer over and will continue to support the team in this new and exciting venture.

SMRacing would like to thank the following riders who all contributed in one way or another to the teams continued success and wish them all well for 2010.

Keith Farmer, Ollie Harrison, Chris Babbitt, Will Moore, Paul Needham, Alan Smith & Lee Jones.

We would also like to thank all our sponsors past and present without your help it would of been impossible, in particular Bill Brown at WULFSPORT and Dave Jackson from MOTUL who have been with us from day one.

With the British Supermoto Championship now in the safe hands of NORA and Toby Taylor it is hoped that at some point in the future SMRacing will make a return. However in the meantime they will continue to do what they’ve always done and go racing and support some of the UK’s most talented riders and help them achieve their goals but for now in Motocross.