Brands Hatch 30th April & 1st May - Bemsee Rounds 5 & 6

Beccles teenage motorcycle sensation was back in action last weekend at the Brands Hatch circuit in the ultra competitive BEMSEE MiniTwins series. Bond was looking to improve on the results gained last time out at Croft, where he took numerous podiums.

For race one Bond started from 11th on the grid, due to the places being set by current championship positions and with Matt only competing in one round thus far in the season this was what he expected. As then lights went out Bond made a blistering start, exiting the first corner in fifth position. By the end of the lap Bond was up to third and a daring move at Druids saw him move into second. The next three laps saw him hunt down leader Bob Collins, and by lap six Bond was hot on his heels, only for the rear tyre of Bond’s bike to shred, leaving Bond with no alternative but to back off and bring home a valuable second place.

Bond’s second race, in the MiniTwins Final, saw him start from fourth on the grid. Exiting turn one Bond lost a position and ended the lap in fifth, but undeterred a simple out-braking manoeuvre took Bond to fourth whilst a following move saw him take third. Up front Collins was battling with championship leader Dave Lodge an the duo were soon joined by Bond on lap three, who caught up the ground he lost at the start by setting the fastest lap of the race, just shy of the existing lap record by only 0.010 of a second!

As the battle between the threesome intensified Collins dropped to third as Bond took advantage and continued his pursuit of Lodge. It didn't take long for Bond to dispose of the race leader, as within a lap Bond was out in front and with a clear track ahead of him Bond pulled away and was never headed. The chequered flag was waved and Bond bought home his first victory of the year in emphatic style. A joyous Bond returned to the pits with a smile on his face, knowing he was in good shape for the following days competition.

The third race of the weekend saw Bond take pole thanks to the performance form the previous day. A good start saw Bond lead the field after the second turn, with Lodge hot on his heels. A cool-headed Bond seemed unaffected by the attempts to take the lead made by Lodge, as the teenager took the chequered flag and with it his second win on the weekend.

The final race of the weekend and the second MiniTwins final, saw Bond take pole, but with the absence of Collins due to a heavy fall in his heat, Bond was confident of taking his third win. A thrilling start saw Bond and Lodge side by side through the first set of corners, with Lodge taking a slight advantage as the pair crossed the line for the first time.

Half way through lap two a Lodge mistake let Bond through into the lead and the youngster showed no signs of slowing his pace as he blistered round the track pulling out over a second a lap on his closest rival. Come lap six and Bond was in an unassailable position, as he held his seven second lead to the end. A jubilant Bond returned to the paddock and received a champagne shower reception from his team, who were equally as excited as Bond.

From three wins form four Bond climbed to ninth in the points table from what was a lowly 23rd at the start of the weekend. Bond once again proved his potential and would like to thank everyone involved in the team, especially sponsors T&J Commercial Repairs, www.givemethekeys.com, G. Cook Plumbing and Heating, www.trackparts.co.uk and Mr Brown’s Paddock Services.

Bond will be back in action on the 21st and 22nd April at Silverstone, for the next round of the MRO Championships.