Dan back on track for title triumph

3:45pm Friday 3rd October 2008

A MOTORCYCLE racer is hoping to realise the ambition he had snatched away from him last season, with a little help from his friend.

Dan Kift, 35, who works at MJ Church in Chippenham, lost the Metzeler/DTR 1300 Streetstocks Championship by one point to Lee Keeble last season.

But this time out Kift is four points clear of second-placed Hilary Philips going into the final race at Thruxton, tomorrow.

After losing out last year by the slimmest of margins, Kift was not even going to take part in the championship this year due to the expense.

But his biker mate Stuart Holloway, 35, of Trowbridge, who won last season's Metzeler/DTR 700 Streetstocks Championship, stepped in to provide him with around £2,500 of his own company's money, Protint UK, to help him through the season.

Kift said: "It's an expensive hobby and the more classes you do, the more expense.

"Stuart's helped me with tyres and entry fees and to be honest I couldn't do it without people like him.

"Last year I felt I had a good go at it and I wanted to move on.

"I was thinking twice about it at the start of the year but I did get talked into it, and I'm glad I did."

Kift bought a brand new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade 08 only weeks ago, and this season he has already broken three engines which cost £3,000 each.

He has shelled out £1,000 on new clutch baskets and there are many other expenses to cover.

Kift's bosses Mike and Paula Church, have given him money for the bike's fuel and let him have time off work.

Kift is guaranteed the title if he finishes third or better at Thruxton, one of his favourite circuits.

He could even win the championship by a point, the margin he lost by last season.

Kift, who has known Holloway for three years, admitted he would be in his friend's debt if he took the title tomorrow.

He said: "I guess I'll owe Stuart a huge drink. He can't wait, he wants to win it more than me."

Holloway added: "It was just cruel being beaten by one point at the last race of the year.

"I watched it unfold and I could see how hard it was getting for Dan.

"You could put money into the wrong sport or the wrong person but Dan really wanted it.

"I'd rather put money into him than someone who's been doing it for five minutes.

There is more local interest in the Metzeler/DTR 700 Streetstocks Championship tomorrow, in which Andy Hayes, a mutual friend of Kift and Holloway, could be in line for the title.

Hayes is level on points with second-placed Marlon Butcher, but the Hullavington racer is ahead because he has won more races than his rival.

Nicholas Andrews is close behind in third, but Hayes can guarantee himself the title with a win tomorrow.

A victory would cap an incredible comeback for Hayes, 37, as he broke his leg at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, midway through the season.