The Biker Place

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Richard was born in Nottingham on 23/03/1983. 2007 probably saw Richard being the busiest man in bike racing this season, in a year that saw him board six different bikes and has taken him from Darley Moor in Derbyshire to Daytona in the USA.

And it was not what he’d imagined for 2007, when the 24-year-old kicked off the season in the British Supersport Championship way back in April. His year began on AIM Racing’s R6, but after just four rounds Cooper and the team parted company and he hit the club scene again while he looked for another challenge.

Taking a standard Suzuki GSXR-1000 K5 to Mallory Park with the Derby Phoenix Club in horrendous weather, the van driver from Nottingham scored three wins and one second place, before moving on to Brands Hatch and Oulton with club, winning each race. Pleased with the performance of his Suzuki, he headed to Darley Moor for a number of events, including The Stars of Darley where he finished second only to John McGuinness.

As June arrived, so did Cooper’s next challenge, this time with BMW Motorrad Motorsport on an R1200S in the World Endurance Championship.

His first race at Catalunya ended prematurely when team-mate Thomas Hinterreiter crashed out, but he was back on board for Oschersleben in August where they finished ninth overall and second in class.

In September the squad contested the famous Bol d’Or event in France, crossing the line first in the class and 23rd overall.

Later that month came the chance to ride yet another machine, this time back in the British paddock in the KTM 990 Superduke battle, a race he won after a close battle with Kelvin Reilly.

In October he jumped on the spare G&S Racing Honda VFR400 at Darley Moor, but suffered mechanical troubles ruling him out of contention for the race.

Just a few weeks later he crossed the Atlantic and raced an eight-hour race with San Jose BMW in the Sun Trust Moto-St Series where he finished second after being knocked-off with just 45 minutes to go.

His last race of the year with BMW was in Qatar with 7th place finish. Richard is now looking ahead to 2008.

“I’ve had an amazing year and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved,” he said. “I am still to confirm my plans for 2008, but I can’t imagine it will be anywhere near as crazy as this one has!”

Career Overview

2006
The 2006 race season saw Richard competing in one of the most competitive classes in the world – FIM SuperStock 1000 Cup with MS Akuna Racing Team riding the Honda CBR1000RR. Although the Honda was not one of the favourites for this class Richard achieved an impressive third place win at the Brno round of the championship and was consistent in his racing all though the 2006 season. Richard finished 11th in the championship standings and was the top Honda rider of the championship.
Also during 2006 Richard competed in the KTM Bracken Cup at Donington Park. This was the first time Richard had ridden the KTM and he took an exciting 1st place win. Richard was also offered a one off ride in the British Supersport cup riding a Yamaha R6 and once again Richard showed his ability to adopt his riding style. Richard brought the R6 home in tenth place a remarkable finish for a first time ride on the R6.

2005
Richard raced in FIM SuperStock 1000 Cup with MS Akuna Racing. Richard was consistent in his racing scoring points in nine out of the ten rounds, finishing 13th in the overall standings with a top position of 6th on the starting grid at the Automotodrom Brno and top finishing position of 8th at Imola. Richard took Honda to fourth place in the manufacturer standings.

2004
International BMW BoxerCup. Richard won the YoungStar title, the title was run for the best rider under the age of 21 and Richard’s prize was a brand new Mini Cooper.

Also in 2004 Richard completed in the final rounds of SuperStock European Championship riding a Honda CBR1000RR for the MS Akuna Racing Team.

2003
International BMW BoxerCup for a second season. Richard took pole position at the Daytona International Speedway track, a first place finish at Oulton Park and a third place at Spa Francorchamps, he finished the season with a sixth place.

2002
With the help of Pidcock Motorcycles Richard was given a ride in the BMW GB team for the 2002 season completing in the International BMW BoxerCup which was a support race at the Moto GP rounds. At eighteen years old Richard became the youngest rider to take a first place finish at Spa Francorchamps. Out of eight rounds Richard was in the top ten seven times and finished the 2002 BMW BoxerCup in sixth place.

2001
Richard entered the Junior Superstock Class, racing at all the British Superbike Rounds. Out of the thirteen rounds Richard achieved ten top five places, two fifth places, two fourth places, two third places, one second place and three first places. Richard took 2nd place in the Championship for this year.

2000
Richard was offered a place in the SMRT Team. This was a well established team which was backed up by Honda and Pidcock Motorcycles. Out of the fist eight races Richard took one third place, two second places and five first places and only a serious accident at Pembray stopped his winning the Honda Hornet Cup Championship but he still took second place in the Championship

1999
At the age of sixteen Richard entered his first race on May 9th 1999, in the Derby Phoenix MCC, John Newbold Trophy at Mallory Park, Leicester. He finished fifth. After this he set his sights on the Honda CB500 Stars of Tomorrow Championship. He joined this at Race 5 and raced in six of the ten races. Six top ten finishes, two of these eighth, one in the top five, one second place and incredibly two first places. He finished overall fourth in the championship

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You can find more information on Richard, or more photographs on his website.