Richard Keohane prepares for battle in 2005

Richard Keohane
By Carly Rathmell
March 12 2005

24-year-old Fareham based rider Richard Keohane undertakes his first major race meeting of the year this weekend, at Snetterton race circuit, Norfolk. The 2004 Rookie 400 Champion is making the huge step up into the 600 Supersport class, which he is eager to master and gain some worthy results.

Keohane, who dominated the Rookie Championship last year - gaining 28 wins in his first year racing on track - is keen for the season to get started. Commenting, he said, “I can’t wait for things to kick off again - I’ve missed the racing over the winter months. I’ve managed to sort myself out with a few sponsors, which I’m really pleased about. Racing at club level soon becomes expensive, and a bit of support from various people is fantastic for me - and I just hope I can get the results for them to thank them for their help.”

Keohane has recently got back from a very successful testing session in Cartagena, Spain. Riding his tuned Honda CBR600RR, and despite dismal weather conditions, he still managed a number of consistent lap times and was feeling happy and confident by the end of the test. Trying out the new Power Race Tyres from Michelin, which Richard thought were fantastic and provided him with his fastest lap times of all his testing sessions, he will continue to use the Michelin tyres throughout the 2005 race season.

AdrenalinX have supplied Richard with Dainese Leathers, Racer Gloves and Oxtar Boots, and are supplying him with all his technical safety equipment, including Dainese back protectors. Richard would like to say a special thanks to Tony Hunt from Soft Options Custom Software for all his help in getting himself sorted out for the forthcoming season. Also Thorpe Design & Management Ltd, Portsmouth, Brakingzone.com, Netvisibility and Little Hampton Honda and Phil Seton.

The talented young rider is throughly looking forward to his first race meeting this weekend, and is hoping for a strong season ahead of him. It is a whole new start for him in an extremely fierce and tough class, but Keohane will be giving maximum effort throughout the weekend. Not only is he competing in the BMCRC Nationwide Championship but he will also be taking part in the MRO Championship, which all starts next weekend at Brands Hatch.

For more information see www.snetterton.co.uk and www.bemsee.co.uk

Richard’s race calendar is below:

BMCRC Nationwide Events for 2005
Rnd1, 12th March, Snetterton
Rnd2, 13th March, Snetterton
Rnd3, 2nd April, Lydden Hill
Rnd4, 3rd April, Lydden Hill
Rnd5, 30th April, Brands Hatch
Rnd6, 1st May, Brands Hatch
Rnd7, 29th May, Cadwell Park
Rnd8, 30th May, Cadwell Park
Rnd9, 11th June, Croix-en-Ternois
Rnd10, 12th June, Croix-en-Ternois
Rnd11, 25th June, Pembrey
Rnd12, 26th June, Pembrey
Rnd13, 16th July, Brands Hatch GP
Rnd14, 17th July, Brands Hatch GP
Rnd15, 13th Aug, Snetterton
Rnd16, 14th Aug, Snetterton
Rnd17, 3rd Sept, Brands Hatch
Rnd18, 4th Sept, Brands Hatch
· Best sixteen rounds to count towards the championship.

MRO National Cup Events for 2005
Rnd1/2, 19th-20th March, Brands Hatch
Rnd3/4, 16th-17th April, Croft
Rnd5/6, 21st-22nd May, Silverstone
Rnd7/8, 2nd-3rd July, Snetterton
Rnd9/10, 30th-31st July, Knockhill
Rnd11/12, 20th-21st August, Cadwell Park
Rnd13/14, 17th-18th Sept, Pembrey
Rnd15/16, 15th-16th October, Brands Hatch
· All rounds to count towards the championship.