Kawasaki Racing Team’s Billie Mackenzie has won the Pro Opens class at the first round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals at Horsham, VIC on Sunday.
Scottish Import Billie Mackenzie - Photo KAJX Communications
With anticipation at fever pitch leading into the first round of the Series, fans were not disappointed with riders taking the races down to the wire.
Scottish import, Mackenzie, was the fastest in qualifying ahead of JDR Motorex KTM’s Andrew McFarlane and Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing’s Todd Waters.
As racing got underway in the first moto, McFarlane scored the holeshot, however, he was quickly overtaken by Mackenzie, with the two riders tussling for the lead while Waters, and Dean Ferris (Honda) battled it out for third place.
The front four riders began to break away, while reigning Champ, CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont struggled back in seventh place.
After a few laps, Waters closed the gap on Mackenzie and the two battled for the lead and by the end of the race, Waters was clear - taking the moto win ahead of Mackenzie, with McFarlane riding into third.
Race two threw out a few surprises with Simon Thompson (Honda) off to a blinder of a start followed closely behind by Ferris and Mackenzie, however, the dream start didn’t hold for Thompson, and he was soon overtaken.
Ferris rode on the edge for the entire moto with the lead swapping between him and Mackenzie countless times, before he succumbed to pressure from the Scott and put his bike down with one lap to go.
Mackenzie took the flag, while Ferris managed to salvage second place ahead of Waters, who rode consistently into third place.
By the time the third and final moto got under way the rain had set in, creating some slippery conditions on the already rough, and carved up track.
After a lacklustre day, the crowd finally got so see some of Marmont’s magic, with the blue bike rider taking not only the holeshot, but also dominating for the entire race.
Meanwhile Mackenzie was caught up in a first turn crash, and had to set about working his way back from last place.
The rougher the track became, the better Marmont rode and despite some early pressure from Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Cody Cooper, he had a 35 second lead by the chequered flag.
Marmont finished the moto ahead of JDR Motorex KTM’s Tye Simmonds, who also found form in the final moto for second place, and Mackenzie who rode a strong race to finish in third.
Quotes
Billie Mackenzie
“It’s a good way to start the season,” Mackenzie said.
“I was a little bit upset with my performance in the first race and I also had a small problem in that last race - I went to let the clutch out and the bike was in neutral!
“So it was my own fault, and I also went down so I made it hard for myself, but I liked the track today.
“There’s been such a good atmosphere ever since I got here, I’m enjoying Australia, and I’m just enjoying riding my bike again.
“I had a bad year last year and I just came here to get refreshed and it’s definitely working.”
Todd Waters
“Dude I was struggling out there!” Waters said.
“In that last race the mud really got me and I crashed twice and but I ended up settling in.
“I was just sort of trying to get up there, but I ended up finishing ok and got second overall so I’m pumped.
“Only time will tell if I can carry this momentum through the rest of the Series, but I’m going to give it my all just like my team.”
Jay Marmont
“It’s been a very hard day,” Marmont said.
“Last night we were pumping in the cold and flu tablets, and I knew it was going to be a tough day and then the rain set in!
“I made that second race hard for myself, crashing on the last lap, but I brought it home strong in that last one and it’s almost like trial riding out there it was so slippery – it was like riding on ice!
“But I didn’t get roosted, and at the end of the day I got some good points and I’m looking forward to going to the next round.”
RESULTS
Pro Open
Qualifying
1: Billie Mackenzie (Kawasaki)
2: Andrew McFarlane (KTM)
3: Todd Waters (Honda)
4: Dean Ferris (Honda)
5: Jay Marmont (Yamaha)
Race 1
1: Waters
2: Mackenzie
3: McFarlane
4: Marmont
5: Daniel McCoy (KTM)
Race 2
1: Mackenzie
2: Ferris
3: Waters
4: Tye Simmonds (KTM)
5: Cheyne Boyd (Yamaha)
Race 3
1: Marmont
2: Simmonds
3: Mackenzie
4: Ferris
5: McFarlane
Championship Standings
1: Mackenzie 67 points
2: Waters 59
3: Marmont 56
4: Ferris 54
5: Simmonds 52
The second round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be held on Sunday 18 April at:
ACT Motor Cycle Club
Fairburn Park
Pialligo Ave
Majura District ACT
Adult $30
Family (Two adults, two kids) $70
Kids (5-15 years) $15