|
CCM MX450 set to make competitive debut |
|
Thursday, 21 February 2008 |
The highly awaited and revolutionary CCM MX450 will make its competitive debut this coming Sunday 24th February, at the opening round of the ACU British MMX motocross championship to be held at Little Silver Motocross Park near Exminster, Devon.
Oliver Sandiford-Smith, fresh from his winter training programme with David Thorpe, has the proud honour of being the first rider to race the ground breaking bonded aluminium chassis in anger. Sandiford-Smith will head CCM’s MX1 assault in both the MMX series and the main Maxxis ACU British motocross championship, plus some selected Grand Prix outings.
Recent testing in Northern, Spain has confirmed the potential of this new machine, with the intense two-week session putting the riders on the same pace as many of their rivals despite the limited period of refinement. Unfortunately CCM’s MX2 rider Richie Worrall will miss the start of the season after having broken his lower leg during the last day of the test, when he out jumped a tabletop and landed heavily, but without crashing.
The rapid design and build process will see the CCM MX450 arrive at the starting gate less than a month after it first turned a wheel. Not since 1986, when Greg Hanson rode for the Bolton based company, has CCM produced a true factory bike. The CAD aluminium frame utilises the very latest technology, with just six parts making up the main structure that is bolted and bonded together as opposed to being welded. Manufactured by a recognised F1 component supplier, the resulting chassis is a true work of art and matches the many other special parts that are sure to make the British built bike the focus of the paddock and the fans alike.
Dunlop head a whole list of technical sponsors who have kindly stepped forward to kindly support this exciting and ambition project to put CCM firmly back in the racing arena. Without the knowledge, assistance and funding of these technical partners, CCM could not have achieved the tight deadline that will see them start their domestic assault this Sunday, before moving to the International stage at Hawkstone Park just seven days later.
Having recognised the talent of both Worral and Sandiford-Smith during their youth careers, clothing giant No-Fear will continue their association with these two young riders as they move into the adult ranks. The CCM pairing will use garments both from the No Fear - Elektron and Rogue series as well as Spy goggles from the same parent company.
Preparations for the forthcoming season have all taken place under the watchful and experienced eye of CCM MX Team Manager Bob Bratcher, who has been very impressed with the young riders initial progress and is quietly confident of what can be achieved on the track in 2008.
 With the initial batch of factory bikes now having been built, CCM is busy sourcing further components and materials to produce additional machines for their assault on the World Veteran and Senior titles. Negotiations to reunite two ex CCM works riders with their old Bolton based team are already underway, in what would be an all British assault on these two nostalgic championships, and what is sure to bring back memories of the previous CCM glory days. Further details to be released, as soon as they are available.
|
