Kawasaki Report from Broadford Motocross

KRT came out guns blazing at Broadford over the weekend at the Opening Round of the 2007 Motocross Championship, with Pro Open rider Daniel Reardon making a clean sweep of the  Championship points tally.

Onboard his KX450F, Daniel Reardon raged war over the opposition setting his fastest lap time ever around Broadford Racetrack recording a 1:37.704, over half a second quicker than any of his rivals in Qualifying. Dictating racing, Reardon finished twelve seconds ahead of nearest contender Craig Anderson in Race One and nineteen seconds in front of second place getter Cheyne Boyd in Race Two.

“I’m really pleased with my result this weekend,” Reardon said. “The Motocross Championship is going to be really competitive this year, so every point counts. I am pleased to be able to score the maximum number of points in the first Round. My Qualifying Session went well, as I set my fastest personal lap time around Broadford which was awesome. This gave me good confidence for the first race."

The first Round is always a little nerve racking so sitting on the start line of Race One, I focused on controlling my nerves. I didn’t get the greatest start in the opening race, but I soon settled into a rhythm and made my way through the field. Everything felt good and I just focused on pushing myself right up until the finish line.”

“In the second race I felt ready. I got away to a good start and had a good lead until the race was flagged when Craig Anderson fell. When the race recommenced, I had to battle the dust and traffi c, butafter a few laps I soon worked my way back to the front. I was feeling good and bike didn’t miss a beatand I came home in first placed. I am just so glad to get the first round out of the way and I feel goodheading into Tassie next weekend.”

KRT’s new Pro Lites duo Mitch Hoad and Cody Mackie, rode adventurous races in tough conditions.On the dusty, dry Broadford track, both KRT pilots had there ups and downs as they battled the elements onboard their KX250F’s. Hoad, contesting his second Motocross Championship for KRT, courageously challenged the harsh track conditions to walk away with a handy overall fourth place in the Championship points tally.

“In Race One, my plan was to try and ride smoothly and keep out of trouble,” said Hoad. “I got away to a good start and neatly tucked into second place coming out of the first Turn. The track was really hard and visibility was tough as there was so much dust, but I just tried to keep it clean.” “Unfortunately on the last lap, I jumped a little tighter than normal and landed on a bank and I was bucked off. I was lucky that I had drawn a big enough gap from third, to remount and still come home insecond place.” Hoad said.

“By Race Two the track was really tough as it was very dry and cut up. I tried to get into a good rhythm and continue being consistent. I decided to try and step it up a little halfway into the race but as soon as I did, the front wheel tucked under and I went out the front.” “It was such a hard track. There were just so many ruts and the visibility from the dust was minimal. It was hard work to hang on for the entire race,” Hoad confirmed.

New KRT Pro Lites rider Cody Mackie was frustrated with his eighth place Championship standing but is confident that he will score more points at the second Championship Round in Tasmania. “The Broadford track was extremely tough,” said Mackie. “I was really looking forward to racing here again, as last year the track was really good. But in such dry conditions, racing this weekend was not a lot of fun. It was hard work.”

should be good and I want the opportunity to score a good result for the Team.”“I am really looking forward to Tassie next week, as I scored my best 2005 result there. The track should be good and I want the opportunity to score a good result for the Team.”“Brett and the crew have done a great job in getting my bike and everything ready for me and I am sure with another week of practice under my belt, I can do them proud.” Mackie said.

KRT Team Manager Brett Whale was proud of the way his riders performed.“All the riders put in a tremendous effort this weekend,” Whale said. “Dan has focused a lot of time and energy into being mentally and physically prepared for this Championship. His elite fitness was a major contributor to his success this weekend. In such tough track conditions, Dan still managed to clock great times and stay fast.”

“Mitch and Cody did the Team proud. They threw everything at their races and at times maybe too much. The guys actually did really well to come away injury free from this event. The conditions were tough, the track was rough and there were a few big names that bowed out of racing after crashing. I am just glad all our riders are in one piece and right to challenge the upcoming second Championship Round.”All three riders will get a couple of days to continue training before they head South to contestRound Two of the Australian Motocross Championship taking place at Penguin Tasmania next Sunday, 22 April.