Nikki Coates signalled his intentions for the season ahead with a strong victory over Josh Corner in the first Main race of 2026.
Today’s race was delayed following a crash on the warm up lap involving Bobby Varey and Scott Carson and then held up further when rain began to fall, resulting in an eight lap race.
Polesitter Josh Corner was fastest off the line, building a lead of more than a second in the opening lap over 2024 champion Thomas Strudwick. Coates dropped back to fifth behind James Ellison but quickly regrouped.
By the end of Lap Three he was up to second and quickly caught Corner, making his first attempt to pass into the Loop on Lap Five. But Corner was never going to be able to keep him at bay and Coates dived up the inside into Redgate at the start of Lap Six and from there couldn’t be challenged.
He cleared off at the front to beat Corner at the end of Lap Eight by 2.265secs, as Corner held a strong second position and Christian Smith pipped his twin brother Kieran to third as Strudwick was fifth.
ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup, Main Race result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC) BMW by Frimley Pits Racing
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin Podcast) +2.265s
3. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep by Bathams) +3.787s
4. Kieran Smith (GP Titan Tech by Bathams) +4.262s
5. Thomas Strudwick (GiBi Racing) +4.697s
Championship positions after Round One:
1. Nikki Coates 37
2. Josh Corner 32
3. Kieran Smith 29
4. Christian Smith 29
5. Thomas Strudwick 26