Date: 22nd July 2012

Venue: St Marys, NSW

Race: Penrith Open

Class: A Pro Men

Result: 1st

Weather: Cloudy with on and off rain

Course condition: A bit loose, but fine.

Redline, Blackman Bicycles, Time, Champion System, Michram Industries, Peabody

 

The Penrith track had quite recently been changed, and it was good racing on a new track. The day started off with practice, and then got into racing.

 

I came out well out of lane 5 in the first moto, and made my way across. Shane Austin also came out well from the inside, but I got the first straight fast and made my way to the front. I was in 1st coming into the second straight. I was a bit untidy through some of the second straight, but followed through well with the third straight and held onto my lead. I came through with a 1st.

 

My start was fine in the second moto, but Shane Austin was once again with me down the first straight. I had the inside this time, so grabbed the lead from the inside coming into the first corner. It was a smooth lap from here, and I held a good lead all the way. I finished 1st.

 

I had lane 8 for the last moto. My start was good, but I over manualed the first jump down the first straight and lost some of my speed. Alex Cahill from the inside got the lead into the first corner. I tried for a high low around the first corner, but the surface was too loose to get any pedals in, so I ended up where I was in 2nd coming down the second straight. The lack of speed out of the first corner gave Mitchell Chaston a chance to catch up coming into the second corner, but I held my line and position. I had a clean run down the third straight and railed the last corner well, and I was able to pass Alex on the last straight. I finished 1st.

 

I had 1st gate pick for the final, and got lane 1.

My start was good in the final and I came out strong down the first straight. I had a good run, and lead around the first corner. I cased one of the manuals down the second straight but kept up my momentum, and lead around the second corner. My rhythm in the final was probably the best I got it all day, and I pulled it around the last corner to finish it off. I led from start to finish, and finished 1st.

 

It was a good day racing at Penrith, and I finally made enough money to move up to the AA class. I’m very excited and looking forward to mixing it up with the older guys from now on.