Two out of three ain’t bad for Kent in opening BMCRC races

Kent on the MZ250, was looking forward to getting going again at his favourite circuit, and qualifying on the front row of the grid for race one he quickly slid past the reigning champion to lead after the first corner.

However, with position changes happening on almost every straight and in every braking zone, a four-way battle soon ensued and each time a rider took the lead, another was able to slipstream past until half way around the final lap when Kent took the lead and held the others off until the line.

Race two began in wet conditions. Once again Kent took advantage of his local track knowledge and led the first four laps, pulling out a two second advantage.

However, a lapse of concentration allowed a rival to catch him on the last lap and a couple of corners later, entering the chicane, the Buxton man made a mistake and went down, unfortunately collecting the other rider in the process.

Both riders walked away unhurt, but neither scored points.

Race three got away with a dry line appearing but all riders were on wet weather tyres as the clouds were looming.

Once again a battle at the front ensued, but with eight riders involved covered by only two seconds.

On lap four the heavens opened and the track became fully wet and again Kent was able to stay at the front, albeit under a lot of pressure.

The final corner, scene of many a dramatic moment, was to prove the decider. Kent’s rival attempted to out-brake him but ran wide. Kent cut back and won the drag race to the line by less than 0.1 seconds.

Kent said: “Oulton Park is a fabulous place to race. It has many different types of corner, elevation changes and even a banked hairpin. It’s a popular venue with all riders.

“Race one was a proper scrap and I was pumped to have come out on top.

"Overall, I was chuffed to have taken two wins which put me in second place in the championship and it was a great start to the season.”

The next round of the championship will take place at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 29 and 30, before the series moves on to Cadwell Park at the end of June.