Difficult weekend for Buxton racer in Norfolk

The 300 Circuit at Snetterton in Norfolk was the venue for the penultimate round on the 2026 British Motorcycle Racing Clubs calendar. Buxton racer, Chris Kent, arrived buoyant on recent performance and engine improvements on his MZ 250. 

Qualifying went well for the local man and he gained a front row start. However, he was somewhat swamped off the line at the start of Race 1 but managed to regain 4th place into the first corner and then 3rd place at the following hairpin, closing on the lead pair.

Unfortunately a rash move by another rider at the next corner pushed them both wide allowing the leaders to open a gap. Chris was able to retake third position using the slipstream at the end of lap 1 and held it until the beginning of lap 4 when he was passed on the start/finish straight.

A bold late-braking move up the inside at the hairpin regained the place and Chris held onto it until the start of the final lap when 2 riders slipstreamed past into the first corner. At turn 3 both riders ahead went a little deep and Chris was able to retake 4th place.

Heading into the final part of the lap it looked like Chris was shaping for an overtake but coming out of the last corner he was still in 4th place and wasn’t able to catch the other rider before the line thus just missing out on the podium.

“I’m happy with my lap times since I went faster than I have done for several years but I should’ve gone for the overtake sooner on the last lap. I thought I could slipstream the other guy to the line but he got better drive out of the final corner and beat me to the flag” said Chris after the race. 

Unfortunately the second Saturday race had to be held over to Sunday morning which meant an early start and a late finish for the MZers. 

On the warm lap of Race 2 Chris appeared to have an issue and pulled into pit-lane before the start. However, he was able to join the race, albeit some 30 seconds down on the others. He completed the race in 5th place. 

“I felt movement in the back wheel and pulled in to get the rear spindle nut tightened up. Unfortunately it cost me a lot of time but at least I got a finish and some points. I’m concerned that there is a power problem as I was almost 5 seconds a lap slower than yesterday despite not fighting with anyone,” said Chris afterwards. 

The other two races of the weekend were both non finishes for the Buxton man. Early in each race he was forced to pull off the track with what looked like engine issues but which have since been traced to electrical issues. 

“I’m gutted about the non-finishes. From doing good lap times on Saturday to problems repeating today is very disappointing.” said Chris post-race. 

Chris remains in 4th place. The final round will take place at Brands Hatch on October 3 and 4.