Crockard takes stock four-stroke to second.

Gordon Crockard showed his adaptability when he powered his way to second place on his debut outing aboard a stock KTM 520 at the penultimate round of the British domestic series this weekend.

The Irishman's experience on the big four-stroke machine prior to the meeting was limited to a few casual training sessions, making his performance even more impressive as he rode the 520 in anger. A combination of factors allowed Crockard to prove his worth on the larger capacity machine, only deciding a couple of days earlier to take up this challenge.

With his normal factory KTM 250 mount crated ready for freighting Stateside in preparation for the now -cancelled MX des Nations meeting, 'Crockstar' knew he would have to ride his spare bike as a result of this logistical matter. Now with only an extremely remote chance of retaining his British title due to the injury sustained at the last round, he made a call to his team boss Kurt Nicoll to get clearance to ride his friend's stock KTM 520. Having gained the official sanction, Crockard delivered his chosen machine to KTM technician Nick Moores less than 24 hours prior to the day's first race.

Work to prepare the standard bike carried on into the early hours of the morning, as Moores translated as many of Crockard's normal settings to the alien machine in a hope it would in someway feel like his usual 250. The work was not wasted as 'Crockstar' soon looked at home on board the orange rocket as he got up to speed around the famous sandy circuit.

Strong starts in all three races, including a rare hole shot in the opening moto, gave him a real chance of success as he battled against the fleet of semi works Japanese machines that usually dominates this particular class. While unable to restrain Jussi Vehvilainen, who many tip as an outside contender for next season's world 500 title, Crockard acquitted himself superbly with three runners-up spots to take second overall on the day and in doing so leave himself with a real chance of becoming at least vice-champion at the final and deciding round in two weeks time.