Saunders is well on track

North Suffolk rider Andrew Saunders enjoyed another superb weekend of two-wheeled action at Snetterton as he finished on the podium three times to prove himself as one of the front runners in the BMZRC MZ 250 Championship.

Andrew Saunders enjoyed another superb weekend of two-wheeled action at Snetterton as he finished on the podium three times to prove himself as one of the front runners in the BMZRC MZ 250 Championship.

Saunders, 21, from Wrentham, picked up a pair of second places and a third in round two of the series for the 250cc machines, at his local circuit to lift himself into third place in the points standings on his family-run MZ ETZ.

A fine early run in Saturday's wet first race, ended early with a crash on the second lap.

With his non-finish meaning he would have to start race two from 22nd place, he looked set for a tough afternoon. Instead, he tore through the field to end the opening lap sixth, and eventually finished a fine fourth.

An additional third race was held on Saturday to replace the cancelled encounter from Brands Hatch three weeks ago, and provided Andrew with third place.

Sunday was even more successful as he outpaced reigning champion Chris Rogers in race three to equal the best result of his career in second place. An identical result came his way in the final race too, Andrew closing down an eight-second gap to Rogers down to less than three by the chequered flag.

Andrew's results moved him up a spot to third place in the championship, while he and Young Ones team-mate Dean Stimpson have also increased their lead in the teams' championship to 141 points over their nearest rivals as the series returns to Brands Hatch for round three on April 18-19.