Yamaha 2002 British Quad Championship

British quad national champion Paul Winrow opened up his defence of the British quad title with a double victory at Long Edge Moto Parc, Castleside, where he raced his 660cc Yamaha Raptor to clear cut overall victories in the opening qualifying round, staged by Falcon Motocross Club. The 28 year rider, from Chester-le-Street, switched to the Raptor earlier this year after a great run on a 465 cc version. Lindsey Duke, from Crook, past British 250cc champion, stormed the first race on his new 460cc Honda machine to finish fourth but admitted not being race fit after only his second outing on the new machine. Rival David Baldwin, from Bishop Auckland just managed to beat Duke in the points battle to snatch fourth place, Duke was sixth in the final count on the new Honda.

Tow Law's Brad Anderson won both solo Expert races from Scottish visitor Craig Trew and Cumbrian Paul Coward. Support class winners were Steve Astin (Preston), Kevin Lamb (Hexham), Alan Kirtley (Burnhopefield), and Kevin Rankin (Sunderland). In view of the time lost because of two freak accidents Falcon Motocross Club abandoned the meeting just before 5pm with only part of the planned programme completed. The Club had three officials designate Clerk of Course because it was a national status event for quads, Jackie Young, Colin Benson and Steve McCauley are three of the senior track specialist in the North East. The two incidents were of a freak nature. On the day the entire course was up to the highest standards, in terms of safety, track preparation, track marshal staffing and first aid facilities.

Long Edge Moto Parc is generally regarded as one of the safest tracks in the north with an enviable record in terms of accidents.