Taboo Motorsport's Michael Hill and Tom Weeden had mixed fortunes in the opening round of the 2009 Relentless British 125GP Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend. Plagued by machine problems including, in Hill’s case, a broken gearbox, both riders showed a great deal of maturity with staying positive and focused ahead of the 22 lap race.

With both riders mid pack despite early top ten promise in wet and dry conditions after qualifying it was Hill aboard the 7C (FRS) kitted machine that battled hard in the early laps to ensure a points finish was on the cards. It was not to be however as coming through clearways on lap nine he was hit by another rider. The collision broke the exhaust meaning a premature end to Hill’s event.

Teenager Weeden, on the other hand, worked his way steadily through the field to finish a very respectable 10th position in the Academy Cup. The team and riders are now gearing themselves up for round two of the championship at Oulton Park.
 
“A reasonable start to the season for me, we had major bike problems but thanks to the team and the extra help from Mark Keen they were mostly sorted out for the race," said Weeden.

"I now have my first BSB race meeting under my belt and I can move on from here. I finished the race and got points on the board in the Academy Cup, Hopefully I can improve on my riding and sort the bike out a bit more ready for Oulton Park. Its a big step up for me coming from Club racing, and racing against much more experienced competitors but I am enjoying the challenge and hopefully I can put in a good result in the next round."
 
Hill added: “I am leaving Brands Hatch with mixed emotions. On the plus side I was fast in the wet and dry and had the pace for a top 12 finish in the race. I am however gutted to be denied a points finish because of someone else making a mistake but that’s racing.

"I have to take the positives and move on to Oulton Park in two weeks time. Steve and Pete worked extremely hard to give me a competitive bike and I think we showed a few people that on our day we can be genuine top 10 challengers. Tom also justified the faith that we have in him with a very mature ride to 10th in the Academy Cup in his first BSB outing despite numerous problems throughout the weekend.”