Australia (7/6/2009) - The NSW
KTM Quad Challenge was held on the weekend of
the 28th of June at Barleigh Ranch raceway. With
some hot local talent and some interstate riders
making the trip to Newcastle, this was NSW’s
first taste of a high profile event for 2009.
Despite a moderate number of entries, there was
a fantastically huge crowd who came to watch for
the day and great sunny winter weather.
Team MXN Can Am was in good shape heading into
the event looking for podiums with Michael contesting
the Pro Class and Rob in the Vets class.
In all 3 pro motos Michael struggled with his
starts and only managed mid pack for the first
corner, Michael had his work cut out for him
in each moto as the Newcastle track was a hard
one to pass on. The 15 min +1 lap motos were
the toughest possible as the track really whooped
out half way through the day and became a one
lined track. To pass anybody you really had
to take risks, or risk being stuck on the loamy
moist outside lines.Michael managed a 4th and
3rd in the first 2 motos, and was sitting overall
tied for 3rd with Mic Di Nardo heading into
the last moto.
In the 3rd moto, Roycroft and Di Nardo tussled
for position all race, Roycroft managed to pass
Mic on the uphill double but got stuck in the
fluffy stuff on the landing and had to settle
behind Di Nardo right up to the finish line.
This gave Roycroft a 4th overall for the day
only just missing out on 3rd by 2 points.
Michael
said after the race “I felt pretty flat
out there all day today, the bike didn’t
seem to want to get off the line when I wanted
it to and I just didn’t have the energy
or stamina to overtake. The track was the roughest
we have seen all year and the hardest at that,
so I will get out there and hit the gym hard
to get ready for the state and national titles
in a few months.”
Rob had some better luck with the Vets class,
taking 2nd overall for the day. Rob was clearly
the fastest man on the track all day but had
to settle behind KTM’s Len Pipicello who
managed to be the widest KTM ever by not letting
Rob get around him in the first 2 motos. Rob
resorted to a tactful passing manoeuvre in the
3rd moto to push Len out of the way to take
the win for Moto 3. This gave Rob a 2nd overall
for the day. Rob said after the race “it
was really frustrating out there today knowing
if I could get passed Len I would walk away
with the win. The track didn’t allow for
much passing today if I could get out front
first it would have saved me a lot of work but
that’s racing and well done to Len on
holding me off.”
The team’s next outing is in 4 weeks
time at Quirindi for round 2 of the NSW Hardiman
Cup series.
Check out all the up to date news and race
results at http://www.47industries.com/09roycroft.htm
Or contact them at mxn@onthenet.com.au
Team MXN Can Am would
like to thank the following sponsors for there
support for 2009. MXN,
Can Am, CRB Metal designs, Hardiman ATV, Lonestar
A-Arms, Fox racing shocks, Austraco, Motoworks
Pipes, ITP tyres, Fury rims, Big M Edge milk,
Quad squad, Flexx Bars, Pro Grip Goggles, Acerbis,
Mother Energy Drink, Coolabah Tree Café,
47 industries, Can Am Newcastle, Nestle Peters
Drumstick, Instalair, Tubby Signs and Graphics,
CRC sprays and lubricants and Car Cube
