Full throttle for bike shop

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 4th Jul 2003.

A NEW motocross business on the outskirts of Coombe Bissett looks set to get off to a roaring start due to the growing popularity of the sport.

Des Smith and Jeff Leat have set up Fairway Motocross and Enduro, selling parts, clothing and accessories for fellow enthusiasts in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and beyond at their premises at Pinewood Service Station on the A354 Blandford Road.

The two men will offer advice to riders and the business also carries out bike repairs, offering a collection and delivery service.

Mr Smith explained that enduro involves riders completing a race in stages, rather than all at once, as motocross does.

Both he and Mr Leat have taken part in dozens of races, but they are now handing the racing side over to Mr Smith's son, Ashley, and Mr Leat's sons, Richard and Ryan.

The idea for the business started on a trip to Belfast.

"Jeff and I were on our way to a Supercross event with the boys to let them have a go," said Mr Smith.

"We were going to catch the ferry and got chatting about opening a motocross shop.

"Whenever we've wanted parts we've had to travel for miles, so we thought it would be a good idea to open our own shop.

"I've wanted to do this for years."

He continued: "Motocross is such a growing sport.

"Years ago it was too expensive, but today more people are investing their money in their kids to give them an interest.

"We all want to provide for our kids and keep them off the streets and these days everybody leads such a stressful life, what with work and paying bills, so it's great to be able to go across the fields on a bike.

"You can go all the way to Shaftesbury, for example, without going on the roads."

Mr Smith said the service station is being developed and the business hopes to secure one of the new units at the front of the site.

It hopes to start selling bikes around October or November, when the current season comes to a close and people think about changing their bikes.

Mr Smith and Mr Leat, a qualified mechanic, hope that their sons will continue their interest in the sport and eventually take over the business.

"Ashley wants to be a motorbike mechanic and hopes to get an apprenticeship, Richard has just left school and Ryan is still at school," he said.

At the race meeting at Martinstown, near Dorchester, at the weekend, Ashley won his first race with Poole and Parkstone Motocross Club.

The shop is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. For more information ring 01725 519567.

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