Royal Enfield tastes flat track success in UK in debut season

Paul Young secures championship for Royal Enfield


Royal Enfield”s debut season in competition Flat Track racing with their 650s in Europe came to the perfect conclusion, after Gary Birtwhistle and Aussie Paul Young claimed five wins from five rounds of racing, wrapping up the title and runner up spots to boot.

Australian Paul Young brought home the victory after his teammate was injured
Australian Paul Young brought home the victory after his teammate was injured

This fifth and final round of the 2021 DTRA (Dirt Track Rider’s Association) season took place at the TT circuit at Greenfield Dirt Track, Lincolnshire. With an additional right-hand turn and a jump incorporated into the track, it was all to play for going into the final weekend of the season.

Aussie Paul Young on his 650 flat track racer
Aussie Paul Young on his 650 flat track racer

With Royal Enfield’s principal rider, Gary Birtwistle having his season cut short with a broken scaphoid bone in his wrist (after having won all of the first three races), it all came down to team-mate Paul Young to secure the Championship Crown for the Royal Enfield Team.

Gary Birtwistle broke his scaphoid bone earlier in the season
Gary Birtwistle broke his scaphoid bone earlier in the season

Relatively new to flat track, but with years of GP2 racing experience under his belt, Paul flew through the qualifying heats and found himself at the front of the grid heading into the final.

Gary Birtwhistle and Aussie Paul Young celebrate the victory
Gary Birtwhistle and Aussie Paul Young celebrate the victory for Royal Enfield

While being pushed hard all the way to the final lap, the chequered flag and the 2021 Championship Crown was destined to be claimed by Paul and Royal Enfield.

DTRA Race 5
DTRA Race 5

The result marked Royal Enfield’s first “factory” European Championship win since the legendary Johnny Brittain won the ACU Star at the National Trials Championship back in 1956. After a hiatus of 65 years, this marks an exciting new milestone for Royal Enfield as it further develops its footing in the world of competitive racing.

DTRA Race 5
DTRA Race 5

In some big news for Aussie enthusiasts, the Aussie importer for Royal Enfield, Urban Moto Imports, are gearing up to run a series of ‘Flat Track Slide Schools’ here in Australia.

Source: MCNews.com.au

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