Weekend to remember at Donington Park for Ollerton racer

Leatherland was competing in the BMRC MRO Championship meeting in the L and W Contractors Rookie 600 class, riding the family GL Fabrications R6 Yamaha. In what was only his fourth road race meeting, where he must compete as a newcomer, he totally dominated the category winning all four races he entered by some margin, including a 23 second victory in one of the races.

“I have always been a motocross rider competing in both local and national race meetings, but I suffered nasty injuries to my wrist and shoulder meaning I can no longer compete at the top level of that sport,” he said. “My family has always supported my younger brother with his road racing at the top level, and with him taking a step back I have had the opportunity to have a go at road racing using one of his old bikes.”

Keaten is limited as to how many race meetings he can attend due to work commitments and finance. The cost of racing is expensive, and thanks go to both his family and to a local business, Complete Engineering Services, for supporting him at Donington.

Keaten plans to try and move up a class when the organisers permit him to do so as he has clearly proved himself to be worthy of leaving the rookie class.

“I really enjoy road racing and feel ready to move up to the next class. That will pit me against faster, more experienced riders from whom I can learn from and improve.,” ge added.

Despite only competing in two rounds of the series, the Donington Man of the Meeting award winner, sits in the top three of the championship and is looking forward at trying to compete later in the season with events scheduled at Cadwell Park, Snetterton and Brands Hatch.

He said: “I would love to race at Cadwell with it being such a challenging, historic circuit but we will have to see what my work schedule and finances are like.”