KARRO MAKES 450 DEBUT AT CANADA HEIGHTS

Matiss Karro made his 450cc racing debut at the weekend, as the MVR-D Suzuki rider took part in the Red Bull Pro Nationals event at Canada Heights in Kent, showing promising pace.

Riding the RM-Z450 for the first time in competitive action, Karro started his day positively, out-qualifying some of the more regular MX1 contenders with a ninth place start, before a crash in the opening stages of the first moto saw him have to re-mount and start again. Pushing hard and looking a little wild in places, the young Latvian began to tame the 450 in the closing stages of the race to take a solid 12th placed finish.

A much better start in the second race of the day, quickly turned into more disappointment for Karro, crashing and remounting dead last. A good turn of speed and increased confidence with the bigger bike, saw an inspired move through the pack and a battle with rival James Noble, to end the race in 10th.

Matiss Karro:"I really enjoyed riding the RM-Z450. Naturally I had hoped to do a little better, but the crashes at the start cost me time that I simply couldn't make up. By the end of the second race I'd really started to click with the bigger bike and I'm pleased to say that I'll be riding it in a few more races before the end of the year."

Regular RM-Z450 rider, Carl Nunn, had a disappointing day after qualifying well in 6th. Big crashes in both races effectively ended any hopes of decent finishes.

Mark Chamberlain, team manager: "Not a bad weekend but again we've come away with some average results. Carl looked very promising in qualifying and his approach to the weekend was very encouraging, but sadly the crashes put paid to any chance of success. Matiss on the other hand did well considering he's hardly ridden the 450 and with a bit more time on the bike, I think he can start challenging for podiums."