WHEN I first wrote about Terry Brian on June 12 of this year, News Shopper readers were told how he had sold almost all his wordly possessions in an attempt to become a

successful motorcycle racer.

Well, I can now report that Terry's first year in motorcycle racing has been nothing short of sensational by winning the Rookie 400 Champion-ship and finishing runner up in the Supersport 400 series.

But it is a far cry from that gloomy day six years ago when he had his motocross bike stolen and was forced to stop riding in that type of racing, having first become involved with the sport two years earlier purely for fun.

Terry, however, was not going to be deterred and eventually he saved enough money to buy his first racing bike, a Suzuki GSXR 400.

The Darenth-based rider said: "The season concluded at Brands Hatch with what I would describe as four steady second-place rides, as my overall finishing positions in both championships had already been

decided."

In this amazing first year, Terry won a staggering 54 trophies .... and what a season he had!

Terry said: "I contested the British Motor Cycle Racing Club's Supersport 400 and Rookie 400 Champion-ships, rookie indicating it's your first season.

"Back in March, when the season started at Lydden, near Dover, I was very pleased with my track debut ride to finish tenth against vastly

experienced Supersport riders.

"But I won my first Rookie event and then went on to win a further 21

Rookie races during the season and did so well that I had clinched the championship at Cadwell Park

before the end of August!

"After my initial tenth place in the Supersport series, I did not finish below fifth position for the remainder of the season, which I feel was a great achievement considering the class of riders I was up against."

Terry added: "Having led at Brands Hatch and Snetterton in rounds three and four, I used those races to learn from the more experienced riders and subsequently won at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Silverstone.

"I managed a run of 11 consecutive top-three finishes in the Supersport series, which was very pleasing.

"One of the many highlights of my debut season was the two-day meeting held over the full Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on a scorching May weekend.

"I won six of the eight races, while coming third and fourth in the

others.

"At one point in the season, I was even leading the Supersport Champ-ionship and was in with a real chance of the title.

"But a blown engine at Cadwell Park put paid to those hopes, as the cost of repairs coupled with insufficient time between races forced me to miss the next round."

However, in a highly impressive debut season, Terry consolidated second place in the Supersport Champ-ionship in the penultimate round at Silverstone, with an excellent third place and a win in the two races held on a circuit made particularly tricky by damp conditions.

Terry, who is 22, is a qualified motor mechanic, having served an apprenticeship immediately after leaving school and is presently working at Priory, a Renault main dealer in Northfleet, where he recently completed an intensive R.T.E. (Renault Technical Expert) course to further his professional qualifications.

Terry concluded: "Ninety-five per cent of the cost of racing is self-funded, but I did receive help from E C Bates Motorcycles in Dartford, Express Tyres in Lockerbie and Resident Association Management, to all of whom I would like to pass on my thanks.

"I have decided to put my championship-winning bike up for sale, as next season I plan to ride a 600cc machine and move up from club racing to MRO, the stepping stone to national level which, inevitably, will involve an even higher budget than now.

"Like all motorsports, sponsorship is vital. So if anyone woud like

to support me, I would be delighted to hear from them."

If you would like to back a winner, call Terry Brian on 01474 702183.

November 27, 2001 12:37

Kevin Impey