Webmaster posted on February 23, 2009 15:15
Team Husqvarna 2nd in Sunny State Championship Over 500 riders headed to Tivoli on the weekend for the second round of the 2009 Shell Advance Sunshine State MX Series.
In the premier "Pro Open" class, Husqvarna Factory rider Dean Porter from Perth finished 5th on the day racing his Husqvarna TC450.
Before the first race, Porter commented: "We intend to use today also as a bit of a test and development day…..one race can give us more data than a few test days, things happen during a race in the heat of the battle that you can’t replicate on the test track ...…I am confident that we will be up amongst the leaders, but at this stage of the season it is more important to me that we set up the suspension to my liking." In the first race Porter got a bad start and struggled to overtake. After making some suspension and tyre changes for race two, Porter finished a very credible 4th place.
Junior Factory rider Jake Wright from Cairns, riding his Husqvarna CR144cc finished 4th on the day.
In race one Jake was in 3rd into the first corner and passed Luke Reardon to hold onto 2nd place to the finish line.
In the second race, Jake kept up with the front runners and finished 4th.
In the last race, Jake had a bad start heading into first corner in 10th position. With the adrenalin pumping, Jake crashed out but managed to get back on his bike and get back up the front, pushing his way up to 6th position.
"I was a bit frustrated with myself today as coming from flooded Cairns has made it extremely hard for me to practice. I struggled a little in a straight line competing with all the 250 riders, however once I’m into the first corner my Husqvarna CR144 glides me exactly where I want to be, it felt great. I just need to get more practice on the starts and then I am confident it will all fall into place" said Jake.
Both Husqvarna riders will now head up to round three held at Hervey Bay on 8th March, both sitting in 2nd position in the championship.
Pro Opens Round 2
1st Tye Simmonds KTM
2nd Craig Anderson Kawasaki
3rd Stephen Smith Honda
4th Brendan Harrison Honda
5th Dean Porter Husqvarna
Pro Opens Championship
1st Stephen Smith Honda 74
2nd Dean Porter Husqvarna 57
3rd Brendan Harrison Honda 53
4th Matt Haworth Yamaha 50
5th Tye Simmonds KTM 47
Junior Lites 15 years
1st Shaun Redhead Yamaha 250
2nd Tynan Hobson Kawasaki 250
3rd Luke Reardon Honda 250
4th Jake Wright Husqvarna CR144
5th Jackson Jones Honda 250
Junior Lites Championship
1st Tynan Hobson Kawasaki 129
2nd Jake Wright Husqvarna 127
3rd Luke Reardon Honda 100
4th Jackson Jones Honda 96
5th Jacob Mcleod Yamaha 77