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With a successful 2007 racing season under their belts, but never ones to rest on their laurels, Richard Cole and the hardworking members of Mercuria GYTR Team Yamaha Racing have now started preparations in earnest for the rapidly approaching 2008 season. Continuing their strong allegiance with Yamaha and pushing to build on the success of the previous year, two new team members will join the line-up for 2008 to bolster the squad as they compete in a varied selection of National and International Quad Cross Championship events.

Ricky Tordoff

Joining the team for 2008, Ricky will want to continue where he left of in 2007, finishing 4th overall in the CCM British MMX Championship after a fantastic season that saw Ricky consistently on the pace and making regular podium appearances. The talented Halifax native is no stranger to success at International level, Ricky putting on a dominating display to win the opening round of the 2007 EMX European Quad Cross Series and secure regular top five finishes in the subsequent rounds that he was able to compete in. Having already proved to be an extremely capable rider, Ricky will be pushing hard to improve on last years results and will compete in the ACU British MMX Quad Cross Championship and EMX European Quad Championship and will also take part in the 12 hour Mondial De Quad at Pont De Vaux in August.

Andy Britton (Jnr)

Having won the Scottish 100cc Auto Championship for the past two years and also claiming the Y2 class win at the 2007 Weston International Beach Race, Andy will be pushing hard to bring success in his maiden season with the team as he makes the transition to the former 200cc Blaster class for 2008. Competing on the all-new Yamaha Raptor 250cc four stroke, the twelve year old from Lanark in Scotland will be flying the Mercuria GYTR Team Yamaha Racing colours in the ACU QRA British Quad Cross, Scottish and Nett Youth Quad Racing Championships.

Joe Maessen

A fantastic 2007 season saw Joe finish 3rd in the CCM British MMX Quad Championship as well as winning each German Quad Championship race he took part in and recording several podium finishes in the EMX European series. Now in his 3rd season with the team, Joe will concentrate on the EMX European Quad Championship and German Quad Championship in 2008 and will also take in the legendary 12 hour Pont De Vaux endurance race in August.

Leon Beda

After a superb year that saw Leon retain his Scottish title, secure a top ten overall finish including 2nd in the Under 21 class in the CCM British MMX Quad Championship, and an amazing 10th place overall in the EMX European Quad Cup, the "Balgonie Bullet" will now have his sights set on building on his successes from last year. Leon will once again be using a Mercuria GYTR Team Yamaha Racing YFZ450 for his 2008 championship campaign, Leon taking part in the ACU British MMX Quad Cross Championship, Scottish Quad Championship and also Pont De Vaux.

James Hellewell

This year will see James compete in his first full year at adult level as he strives to add yet more silverware to his trophy cabinet. Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport and still only sixteen, James rode with a level of skill and tenacity beyond his young years and had an amazing first year with the team, winning the Under 18 class with team mates Joe Nutter and Emma McQuaid at the International 12 hours of Pont De Vaux, finishing 2nd in the IOPD British Quad 250cc Class and regularly finishing top fifteen in the EMX European Quad Cup. There is no doubt that James has a bright future ahead of him, and for 2008 will compete in the EMX European Quad Championship, ACU British MMX Quad Championship and will also be part of the Under 18 team taking part in Pont De Vaux in August.
Under the guidance of team manager Richard Cole, the rider line up for the 2008 race season promises to bear fruit at many levels for Mercuria GYTR Team Yamaha Racing, the new additions of Ricky Tordoff and Andy Britton (Jnr) adding further strength and depth to what was already a formidable team.

2008 Race Schedule

EMX European Quad Championship

11th May - Brou, France
25th May - Agueda, Portugal
1st June - Gdansk, Poland
15th June - Bielstein, Germany
3rd August - Slagelse, Denmark (with World Sidecar GP)
10th August - Kegums, Latvia (with World Sidecar GP)
17th August - Kivioli, Estonia (with World Sidecar GP)
31st August - Mladina, Croatia
14th Sept - Rudersberg, Germany (with World Sidecar GP)
28th Sept - Castlenau De Levis, France

ACU British MMX Quad MX Championship

6th April - Whiteway Barton, Devon
26th April - Desertmartin, Northern Ireland
18th May - TBC
29th June - Hawkstone Park, Shropshire
13th July - Dean Moor, Cumbria (including British Youth)
20th July - Blaxhall Pit, Suffolk
31st August - Duns, Scotland (including British Youth)
21st Sept - TBC (including British Youth)

Maxxis International 12 Hour Mondial De Quad

22nd to 25th August - Pont De Vaux, France

I'm very proud to be associated with the Mercuria GYT-R Team Yamaha. We have fantastic backing from Yamaha Motors UK Ltd and a great roster of young and very promising riders.

Our objective for 2006, our first season of competition, is to consolidate our position as a leading UK Quad Racing team.

And if everything goes to plan we'll be genuine Championship contenders in the years to follow.