SIDECAR racer Dave Holden beat the odds to score his best result in the British Championship this year.

The Blackburn rider shrugged off a broken second gear and rear suspension to claim an excellent second and third at Oulton Park's ACU/MRO meeting.

Lying fourth in the series, and one of the favourites for victory at his 'home' circuit, Holden suffered a disastrous practice session on his Ireson Yamaha 700.

Despite qualifying on the second row of the grid for the two seven-lap races, the 20-year-old machine broke its second gear during the session, leaving Holden and passenger Ben Birchall to contemplate an early return home.

"We decided to start the race and hope it would hold together," explained Holden.

"But we knew that we'd have to pull off at the first sign of trouble or the gearbox would explode."

Despite the lack of second gear, the pair made a rapid getaway from the start, closing down the third and second-placed outfits in the opening laps.

Although there was little they could do about runaway leader Tom Hanks, they nursed their machine home ahead of rival Mick Boddice. "The last lap seemed to last forever," said Holden after the race.

"We had to be careful going up and down the box, using third where we would normally be in second, but it worked."

But there was even more drama in the second heat.

Lying third behind Hanks and second-placed Mark Allisson, the duo arrived at Old Hall corner too fast, taking to the grass outfield to get round.

The impact of hitting the kerbs broke the swinging arm, the suspension component that holds the rear wheel to the chassis.

With the wheel now flapping about, Holden found his steering distinctly strange.

He explained: "It just wouldn't steer properly. When we turned right the machine went left and visa versa. There was still another five laps to go, and I didn't think we would make it.

" But I didn't want to give up, because we were still in fourth place and needed the points."

Despite the handicap of no second gear, a broken rear suspension and reverse steering, Holden and Birchall managed to keep pace with the leaders, and when Allisson was forced out with engine failure, they made their second podium appearance of the day.

"We're well pleased. It's our best British Championship finish so far -- and we didn't even think we would make the race ," said a delighted Holden in the paddock.

With four rounds to go, the pair have moved into second place overall behind leaders Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs.

Bathroom retailers Sheth's of Blackburn have joined Holden Racing as sponsors, together with regular backers Alpaca International, Akito Leathers, EBC Brakes, Silkolene Oils, and THG Motor Bodies.