Emotional victory for Steele

Pic: Paul Mabbutt
By Carly Rathmell
June 7 2003

Warren Steele took an emotional victory on Sunday, at the first round of the ACU National Championships at Jurby, in the Isle of Man. Warren, whose close friend David Jefferies was killed on the Island last Thursday, rode with the letters ‘DJ’ on his front number plate.

A purpose built track was designed especially for the first two rounds of the series. It was extremely well constructed and was appreciated by all riders. Having a fierce battle throughout the Open Class race, with Factory KTM rider Ady Smith, Warren was adamant he was going to be the eventual winner. Ady missed a gear into one of the final corners, allowing Warren to slip underneath him and take the well-deserved victory.

Commenting afterwards he said, “I just wanted to win it for DJ. He was planning on riding in these races, as well as riding the TT races. It just shows how much he loved the sport. He was a fanatical rider in all motorcycle sport, and I’m proud to have ridden against someone like him.”

He went on to say, “The race was very good and the track was awesome. I had a good battle with Ady throughout, and I must admit we did have a coming together - but only slightly. The crowd was unbelievable and really got into supporting us all.”

The second round of the championships fell in the same location. Having a day off on the Monday, the next round was on the Tuesday on the Island. This time round the riders were riding the track in the opposite direction to Sunday’s race, to add a little spice to proceedings.

This time round it was youngster Christian Iddon and Steele who were fighting it out for the fifteen laps. It was Husaberg rider Iddon who took the final win from Steele, by just over a second.

Speaking with Warren he said, “I had a few slight problems trying to handle the bike today. It was a good race and Christian rode really well. He’s a fast kid, and I was trying to stay on his heels, but he eventually dived under me on the last corner of the last lap. I was a bit disappointed but not too disheartened.”

Warren left the Isle of Man with a five-point lead in the series from Christian. With only three rounds left in the series, it’s still all to play for.

Dashing back from the Isle of Man on Wednesday, it was a trip down to HM Racing to drop off his bikes, home to Chester to get some clean clothes, and then back on the road again. Heading for the south of France for the second European Championships this weekend, in Cahors.

Warren is looking forward to the European round, and is hoping to better his placing from the Czech Republic a few weeks ago.