Flitwick motorcycles have a long association with the racing world. Steve Linsdell, owner has raced motorcycles on the track and road since 1979, specialising in more recent years at the challenging Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix road races.
We have been proud to sponsor many riders over the years including Matt Llewellyn, Nigel "Cap" Davies, and Fernando Mendes .
Olie Linsdell, 22 year old son of Steve and Carole currently competes under the Flitwick Motorcycles banner, competing at top level in the the major Road races, North West 200, Isle of man TT, and Ulster Grand Prix. In 2007, At the age of only 19, he took his first win at the North West 200, and two decisive wins at his Debut at the Manx Grand prix, on the challenging TT circuit. He also holds the world record for the biggest winning margin on the Island circuit.
For 2010, we continue our support of Olie, who will have a Season of pure road racing, under the Umbrella of Team Flitwick Motorcycles.
David Linsdell, Steve and Caroles' youngest Son competes with the Classic Motorcycle Club, and for 2010 rides Bob Lights Brace of 350 and 500 BSA Goldstars He currently leads the 350 gold star championship.
See up to date racing news below.
Visit Olie's Racing site 
Click on the  to expand a news item. |
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Olie Lifts the Barry Sheene Trophy at Scarborough
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06 July 2010 |
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| Isle of Man TT trials and highlights
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05 July 2010 |
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| Road Race season Kicks off- Scarborough, Cookstown and North West reports
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21 May 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick Linsdell’s clean up at Easter
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08 April 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick rider guest at Isle of Man TT media launch
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23 March 2010 |
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| Olie to ride FTR Moto2 Grand Prix machine in Isle of Man TT Senior
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24 February 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick and Olie Linsdell announcement imminent
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09 February 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick Yamaha all set for 2010
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09 February 2010 |
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A tale of two Linsdells at the Manx Grand Prix
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07 September 2009 |
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After his massive off at the TT in June, and the disappointment of missing the Ulster GP due to fitness, Olie was determined to prove he still had what it takes by riding in the Senior Classic Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man TT circuit. He was lucky enough to have at the use of the fantastic 500 Bic Paton supplied by our good friend and Sponsor Giovanni Cabassi.
Father Steve had been flat out, it seemed for an eternity, building “Harry 2” a 500 push rod Royal Enfield Single in a Seeley frame, similar to the one he rode for his debut on the Island, and would be riding this for the race.
Olie had to undergo another medical before he was allowed to start practice, to ensure he was considered “fit to ride”. It is fair to say that jumping about two foot in the air, and landing heavily to prove the Strength of his leg was good enough came hard- he was still walking with a crutch, but he managed it (somehow!) and was given the all important signing on slip he craved.
Steve still had some finishing off to do on the Enfield, so both Flitwick riders lined up for the first nights untimed practice on Paton’s. Steve had been given start number 3, and Olie number 5, but it is fair to say that when the flagged dropped Olie shot off, and put up one of the fastest times of the Classics that evening.
On the Monday evening, Steve’s Paton stopped with mechanical woes, but Olie beat any demons that were lurking with a blistering 107.568mph, second only to flying Ryan Farquhar. He went one better on the Tuesday eve, putting in the fastest lap of the evening on a classic. Steve also took his Enfield out for its very first outing, and with a lap of 95.301, was optimistic with a lot more to come after necessary adjustments had been made.
Sadly, from then on the Weather took a turn for the worst, and subsequent practice sessions were curtailed or cancelled as a result.
Heavy rain on the Wednesday evening brought delays, and Olie opted to stay put in the paddock, Steve meantime added a lap to his tally. Thursday evening was cancelled, and Friday was such that no lap times were bettered. For the final, Saturday practice session, the roads were very wet and conditions extremely windy, and although both Flitwick riders went out, times were down. However, surprisingly, Olie still posted the fasted of the evening, whilst his rival, Ryan Farquhar slipped off his 350 classic at Guthrie’s, and was air-medded to Hospital.
The extreme Weather continued into race week, with Monday’s racing cancelled, a good call, as the Weather was truly awful. The decision was made by the organisers to combine all Classic classes into one, to be held on the scheduled senior classic day on Wednesday, rather than call off the Junior and Lightweight Classic races altogether. This gave some of the Classic riders with more than one Bike a headache, deciding which machine to ride- 350, 250, or 500. In some cases due to the inclement practice week weather, the decision was made easier due to non qualification. In our case, only 500 classics were in use, so no issues at all!
The paddock conditions by this time were truly awful, with some of the racing “campers” resorting to wrapping their race bike Wheels in plastic to try and avoid dragging mud onto the track- truly shocking
On the Wednesday The four lap combined Classic race was brought forward 15-minutes to One O’clock, as the forecast was yet again for rain later!
By some miracle, the Weather conditions were described as good by the Clerk of the Course. Ryan Farquhar (500 Paton) and Alan Oversby (350 MV) set off number 1 and 2 getting the Classic race underway, with Steve on the Enfield third off the line, and Olie close behind at number 5.
Pre-race it had been thought that the senior Classic class would be a Paton battle between twice winner Farquhar and ‘new boy’ Olie Linsdell, who had qualified one-two in practice. Many were still talking about their terrific duels earlier in the season at Oliver’s Mount during the Barry Sheene Classic Races. It is fair to say that they didn’t disappoint, with Ryan leading on the roads at Glen Helen, but on time it was Olie in front by 8 seconds. By Ramsey, half way around the first lap, Olie had the bit firmly between his Teeth, and it was clear all thoughts of his TT crash were firmly gone- his lead was up to 12-seconds with Mark Parrett third.
The Paton twins completed the opening lap almost alongside one another, with Ryan passing the pits at 128mph, and Olie at 132! The Flitwick rider set a new lap record from a standing start, upping the speed to 108.912mph, with a 17 second advantage. Mark Parrett was still hanging on to third.
Lap two and the duelling pair were together with Olie now leading on the road at Glen Helen.
At Ramsey his lead was up to a fantasic18 seconds, with Parrett still third and Wattie Brown fourth.
Steve’s race came to a stop at Governors Bridge, at the start of the second lap, when he was forced to stop with a mechanical problem. His first lap recorded a great 99.655 from a standing start, and put him at 5th place. All he could do was listen to the commentary, with his Boy leading the race, fingers crossed that ONE Linsdell would make it to the podium.
By the end of lap 2 Olie and Ryan hammered straight through the start finish and past the Grandstand for another 37.73 miles, both having broken the newly set lap record. Ole l lapping in 20m 41.58s- 109.400mph and Farquhar 109.305mph.
However at Glen Helen on lap 3 the gap was down to 14 seconds between the leading Senior pair, with Farquhar now leading on the road, By Ramsey Farquhar was back in the lead both on the roads and time, by 3-seconds over Olie, and with sinking hearts, we realised he must have a problem. Meantime, at the end of the lap Farquhar came into the pits to refuel having upped the lap record once again, and upping the speed to 110.984mph (20m 23.85s). Olie was a close second and he too came into refuel, but had a bad restart, having to go back onto the rollers to fire the machine up again. As he left the pits he had a 38 second deficit over race leader Farquhar, who had a very quick slash and dash.
Ryan’s lead at Glen Helen on the final lap was 41 seconds over Olie, with Mark Parrett still settled in third, and then retiring at Ballacrye. At Ramsey, his advantage was up again to 62 seconds. Light rain was now falling, and Olies gallant race efforts came to an end at Keppel Gate on the run back down the Mountain, when he was forced to retire with engine problems. Ryan took the win, with Wattie Brown in second place and Andy Reynolds third.
Olie managed to get a lift back to the pits with the rescue Helicopter, whose crew took pity on him huddled next to his bike whilst the Garlanding ceremony took place back at the start finish line.
He later told us that his leg had started to go dead in lap three, so he was forced to slow down for safety reasons.
So trials and tribulations on the Island again- but also pride and joy at an amazing comeback.
Roll on 2010- when a fitter, focused Olie will be back, very firmly, in the saddle- and watch out for a very quick Enfield as well!
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| Olie pulls out of the Ulster GP
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04 August 2009 |
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| Horror 155 MPH crash for Olie at TT
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16 June 2009 |
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| Olie sets fastes time through speed trap at the North West 200
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15 May 2009 |
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| Portimao shakedown for Olie and Team Flitwick Motorcycles
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26 March 2009 |
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| Linsdell all set to ride the Roads this Season
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05 February 2009 |
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| Flitwick backed Olie 2009 race plans- update
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14 January 2009 |
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| Olie reigns supreme at Snetterton guest appearance
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11 September 2008 |
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| New Team mate joins Team Black Horse Yamaha and Olie
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03 September 2008 |
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| Top ten finish for Olie at Cadwell BSB Supertock 600
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01 September 2008 |
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| Fastest through the Speed Trap but no Finish for Steve
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26 August 2008 |
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| Win for Olie at Dundrod 150 and a new lap record
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16 August 2008 |
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| Olie in the points at Knockhill BSB Superstock 600
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12 August 2008 |
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| TT debut, Three replicas and a lap of 119.556-olie's two weeks at the Isle of Man TT....
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10 June 2008 |
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| Victory for Olie at North West 200
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18 May 2008 |
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| North West 200 Thursday practice marred by tragedy
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16 May 2008 |
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| First practice session at North West 200
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15 May 2008 |
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| Top six place for Olie at Brands
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14 May 2008 |
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| Oulton disappointment for Olie and Team black Horse Yamaha
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07 May 2008 |
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| Olie and the Black Horse Yamaha Team head to Oulton
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01 May 2008 |
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| Thruxton woes for Olie and Team Black Horse Yamaha
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20 April 2008 |
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| Olie surfing towards the North west 200
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17 April 2008 |
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| First BSB round abandoned as heavy Snow hits Brands Hatch on Sunday
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07 April 2008 |
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| Ride to Brands BSB Sunday 6th April
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03 April 2008 |
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| Team Black Horse Yamaha head to Brands Hatch
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03 April 2008 |
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| Snowy Snetterton debut for Team Black Horse Racing
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25 March 2008 |
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| Easter week-end testing at Snetterton for Olie
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21 March 2008 |
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| Want to be part of the Team?
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27 February 2008 |
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| Flitwick's rider Olie Linsdell signs for Team Black Horse Yamaha for 2008
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22 January 2008 |
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| Race team announcement imminent- watch this space
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21 January 2008 |
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| Olie stars in Young Guns Isle of Man TT promotion!
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11 October 2007 |
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| Championship win and new lap record for Olie
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09 October 2007 |
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| David completes his debut Racing year
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08 October 2007 |
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| Olie on a high for final Triumph 675 Young Guns at Brands
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03 October 2007 |
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| Pole position in finale of Triumph Young Guns- and a ride on the "Wobbly wheel"
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02 October 2007 |
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| Doldrums for Olie at Snetterton Young guns
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19 September 2007 |
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| Mechanical woes at Snetterton for Olie- but championship in sight!
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11 September 2007 |
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| Steve finishes on Podium in record breaking Manx Senior classic race
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05 September 2007 |
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| Bedfordshire's Olie Linsdell storms into History at Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix
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05 September 2007 |
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| Olie crashes out at Cadwell
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11 August 2007 |
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| Triumph Young Guns brands GP
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01 August 2007 |
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| Olie takes the King of Brands Crown!
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13 July 2007 |
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| David the younger race debut- another Linsdell on the track!
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09 July 2007 |
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| Olie back at Lyyden on 675 after Pembrey High side
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18 June 2007 |
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| "Paton the back" but no finish for Steve
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13 June 2007 |
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| Oulton lap record for Olie after highside at Pembrey
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03 June 2007 |
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| Flying lessons at Pembrey for Olie
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28 May 2007 |
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| Olie takes win at North West 200, and sets new lap record!
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12 May 2007 |
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| Flitwick Rider Olie sets pole at the North West 200!
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08 May 2007 |
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| Classic record breaker for Olie at Lydden Hill
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07 May 2007 |
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| Three rostrums for championship leader Olie at Cadwell!
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02 May 2007 |
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| Olie leads Michelin 675 Young guns series
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19 April 2007 |
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| Royal fun for Steve at Pembry!
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11 April 2007 |
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| Classic style from Olie at Pembry
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11 April 2007 |
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| Lydden Hill – First outing on the Triumph 675!
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27 March 2007 |
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| Olie Rides Triumph 675
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23 March 2007 |
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| Lightweight Olie back on form at Brands
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12 March 2007 |
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| Archive racing news
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03 January 2005 |
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