CCM recruit first rider for their return to top-level motocross
in 2008
• Following on from the recent and exciting release
of initial information regarding their new CMX450 motocross
project, CCM are delighted to announce details of the recruitment
of their first rider ready for their return to the track in
2008.
• Nineteen-year old Oliver Sandiford-Smith from Bolton,
who is already a regular contender in the Maxxis British Motocross
championship has agreed terms to ride the revolutionary CMX450
at national level in 2008 for the British based motorcycle
manufacturer.
• Despite Oliver’s young age, he has already
enjoyed an extensive and successful racing career that started
back in 1996, when he was crowned British Auto Pilot Champion.
Over the next two seasons Sandiford-Smith begun to venture
overseas and made his mark on the highly competitive Dutch
youth series as well as maintaining his presence on the British
scene.
• 1999 saw Oliver claim his second domestic schoolboy
title, when he was declared British 80cc Supernational champion.
This continued form meant that his speed and skill did not
go unnoticed, with Sandiford- Smith being selected to represent
Great Britain the following season. This recognition was not
without merit, with Oliver becoming the youngest ever British
85cc crown wearer in 2001, followed by wins in the British
Masters series and the British 125cc Masters championships
over the next two years.
• At the tender age of 15 years old Oliver moved to
the adult ranks where he took his place on the line in the
British championship proper. A series of injuries over the
last three seasons have prevented Sandiford-Smith showing
his full potential at this new level, but having now recovered
fully the teenager is ready to make his mark. Oliver is one
of a very limited number of selected riders who will attend
Dave Thorpe’s ‘boot camp’ this coming winter.
• Speaking about joining CCM Oliver stated. “This
is a very exciting opportunity for me. The last few years
have been difficult for me, but now I am really focussed on
the task ahead. From what I have seen to date the new CCM
CMX450 has all the right ingredients to be very competitive.
I can’t wait to get the chance to throw my leg over
one and see just how good it feels out on the track.”
• With the CMX450 due to emerge from the drawing board
to reality over the next couple of months, CCM’s Managing
Director Gary Harthern confirmed everything is on schedule
ready for a full assault in 2008. “We are delighted
to have recruited Oliver. He is a young British rider who
has great potential, and is a rider who we are sure will do
the new CMX450 real justice.”
• “After two years of drawings and research,
we finally have all the main pieces in place to build the
first few bikes, these will form the next and critical stage
of this machine’s development from concept through to
hopefully being a race winner. Time is going to be tight,
but I am confident we will be ready for the first round.”
Added Harthern.
|
