Justin McDonald - race report

The Backflips track was the venue for the racing and Sunday was the day. My mechanic Jeremy worked like a mad dog in his own time to get my suspension dialled in. I can’t thank him enough for making that happen as it really made a difference, allowing me to enter each moto with more and more confidence. 

During the mornings timed practice/ qualifier I felt good on the bike. The track had been groomed and watered but I knew it would get rough and become demanding on the body as the day wore on. During the qualifier I was not worried about the others in my class, I just focused on the bike and getting it right for the day. I had heaps of laps to suss the track and I was able to put in a few fast laps towards the end when I felt more comfortable and happily qualified fifth.

There were three motos set for the day, each one running for around 10 laps. In moto one I did not get the jump I wanted from the gate and spent some time just outside the top five battling with my Bel-Ray Honda team mate Michael Phillips. We went bar to bar for a while and I eventually got by him and then on the same lap picked up another spot from Hamish Dobbyn. This put me into 4^th at the checkers.  I felt good about making passes on the track, but knew I’d need a decent start to capitalise in the next one.

Moto two came after a break in the programme, in which they had watered the track. I got the start I needed and found myself chasing Ben Townley, but being hunted by Josh Coppins. I was able to run a good pace and, for the most part ignore my hands which were giving me grief and starting to cramp. I was pretty comfortable on the bike and was happy to finish third after the 25 minute moto.

My final race of the day was the last one of the programme. I had an awesome battle for the first few laps with Michael Phillips. Sadly he came off the track and hit a fence which left me racing on my own. I could see Cody Cooper ahead of me but never got into a position to make a pass. Towards the end of the moto I had stayed at a consistent pace and cruised home in fourth.

These results of 4-3-4 were enough to give me third overall for the day. I now look forward to the 26^th where I will continue the championship with Round two in Patetonga.

Thanks to my 2012 Sponsors, Bel-Ray Honda, Troy Lee Design, Pirelli, RK Chains, Renthal, Timaru Honda, TCX Boots, Dragon Goggles, Torque Construction, Etnies, Unit, Sommy, Yoshimura, Braking, 201Racing.com  

Justin # 201