Almost a dream race from last place for KTM's Tarran at Oulton

Tarran Mackenzie was 0.055 seconds from an incredible victory in the Motostar British Championship after starting from last on the grid at Oulton Park yesterday.

Tarran Mackenzie was 0.055 seconds from an incredible victory in the Motostar British Championship after starting from last on the grid at Oulton Park yesterday.

In what could have been a dream end to a frantic Bank Holiday weekend of racing that began in Southern Spain and finished in sunny Cheshire, 17-year old engineering student ‘Taz’ still leads the British Moto3 championship aboard his Redline Motorcycles KTM after an amazing second place on Monday (May 6).

Due to commitments racing in the KTM-powered Red Bull Rookies championship at Jerez, Spain, on Saturday and Sunday (May 4-5), the youngest son of Niall Mackenzie missed practice and qualifying at Oulton. Having taken part in a track day prior to the event, the Redline rider was allowed to start his KTM RC 250 R Moto3 machine from the back of the grid.

When the lights went out, the number 95 orange machine left the grid last and 29th place to complete an unbelievable first lap where he made up twenty places. Within 11 laps, Tarran had caught and passed championship rival, Joe Frances, to set-up a thrilling finale to the race. Despite all his hard efforts, Frances was able to pull a pass on Taz for the win and to cut the KTM rider’s championship lead down to five points.

Tarran Mackenzie said: “Well that was an eventful weekend! First of all I need to thank Stuart Higgs (BSB Race Director) for allowing me to start the race on Monday despite missing practice and qualifying. 

“Even with my grid position, I felt confident for the win as I feel so good on the bike and with the team. The first lap was crazy – passing 20 riders - and I caught the leaders pretty easily. But when I hit the front that woke up Joe Francis and I pulled him along with me. Hats off to him as he defended well to get the win.

“Definitely one of my best ever races but in some ways I'm annoyed as victory was close and my lead in championship has been cut down to five points. But to get second from the back of the grid, I guess I can't complain really.”

Tarran Mackenzie and the Redline Motorcycles team will be in action again on June 16 at Knockhill in Scotland 

Motostar British Championship (Moto3) standings

1.Tarran Mackenzie (KTM) 70

2.Joe Francis 65

3.Joe Irving (KTM) 32