In the closing stages of last year, the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project (RAMP) He was the victim of a bizarre robbery in which five Honda CRF125s were stolen from his headquarters in Catterick Garrison, of which only one of them later appeared abandoned in a forest near the place.
A fact that cast serious doubt on the viability of this local initiative in charge of road traffic training for young people between the ages of 13 and 19. At the time, a volunteer from the center declared in an interview with MCN colleagues: “This has had a huge impact on RAMP.”
It further stated: “The theft of our motorcycles has been heartbreaking and is something we never thought would happen”. He concluded by explaining: “We are now trying to raise funds to be able to reopen in March, as we have a waiting list of young people.”
Luck joins the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project
After the motorcycles were stolen from the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project, the news spread like wildfire across the country, reaching the ears of David Thorpeamong others. The former professional motocross rider, three-time FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion, in collaboration with Honda Motorcycles UKhas become the savior of the project.
As Visor Down explains, “Through his Honda Adventure Centre, Thorpe had several one-year-old CRF125Fs that needed to be retired from the fleet.” So instead of selling them, he opted to donate them to the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project.
For its part, Honda UK has offered to supply the necessary parts so that the only motorcycle recovered from the theft can be fully operational again as soon as possible. Commenting on the news, Dave Thorpe said: “I was very disappointed to read about the theft of RAMP motorcycles and I believe that the theft of dirt bikes is a widespread problem throughout the country.”
“The CRF125F is a great bike that we use a lot at the Honda Adventure Center and as ours needed replacing and were only 12 months old and in excellent condition, I thought we could lend them to RAMP so they could get on with their project and riding programme.”
Concludes: “Honda UK is fully supportive and has also offered to provide and pay for a spare parts package to repair the damage to the bike that was returned to us. The more young riders who get into motocross the right way, the better, and the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project certainly delivers. Long may they keep it up!”
