Motorcycle News |
By Kawasaki
Published: August 14, 2007
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Kawasaki Racing Team wrapped up the 2007 Australian Motocross Titles at Coolum in Queensland over the weekend, with Dan Reardon winning the Australian Pro Open Title and Mitch Hoad taking out second place honours in the Australian Pro Lites Championship.
Capping off what has been a great season, Dan Reardon, the three times Australian Supercross Champion and KRT Pro Lites gun, Mitch Hoad, proudly stood on the Championship podium and celebrated the Teams best Motocross season in seven years.
After dominating the competition all season, Dan Reardon headed into the final round event already the Championship winner, after sealing the Championship deal at the Lakes event in NSW.
“It was a great weight off my shoulders to have the Championship already wrapped up heading into the Coolum event,” said Reardon. “It meant I could go out and have fun riding in front of my home state crowd in my final Australian races.”
“I qualified in second place which was good and I felt confident that I could come up with the goods in Race One, as Coolum is one of my favourite tracks and I feel at home riding here.”
“I got away to a good start in Race One, but on the opening laps I was getting heaps of dirt on my goggles from Troy Carrol who was ahead of me. Unfortunately as I couldn’t really see, I crashed and I had to pull into the pits to change goggles. I rejoined at the back of the field, but worked my way back up into sixth place. I was pushing hard to chase the leading riders down when I came unstuck in the back section of the track. I remounted and came home in tenth.”
“In Race Two my start wasn’t that great, but I was feeling good. I didn’t put pressure on myself to get out in front early and I just waited for the right times to make clear passes. I got past Cheyne Boyd for the lead by the halfway point and from there I just rode it home. To go out on a high in your home state like this is awesome.”
“I’ve had a dream season this year and everything has just gone to plan which is great. I can’t thank everyone involved in KRT enough for their commitment to the Team. I have had an awesome time riding for Kawasaki over the years and I am glad we could finish the 2007 season on such a high,” Reardon said.
Pro Lites pilot, Mitch Hoad, had second place in the Championship secured at the completion of Race One, as he extended his points lead out to 29 points over Danny Anderson in third.
“In Race One, I didn’t get a good start and was stuck mid pack,” said Hoad. “As I was held up in traffic, the leading riders pulled a reasonable lead and I finished the opening race in tenth place. I was lucky that Danny Anderson was also held up and he finished behind me, meaning I received more points and ultimately secured second place in the Championship.”
“Race Two, I went out there to enjoy the final race. I knew I had second place in the Title wrapped up, but I wanted to finish the season with a good competitive race. I again didn’t get a great start and was a little way down the order, but I felt good and was riding fast. I made good moves and worked my way back up to fourth.”
“The Team in 2007 has been great and we have had a lot of fun. Everyone’s combined talents and efforts made the Team what it is this year. This was my first season working with my mechanic Marty and it has been great. Brett Whale has done a great job leading the Team too.”
Cody Mackie finished the 2007 Pro Lites Championship in sixth place onboard his KX250F. Finishing Race One in eighth place and Race Two in sixth place, Cody is looking forward to having a little time off in the off season to have his thumbs operated on, before he begins his preparations for the 2008 season.
“I joined KRT at the start of the Motocross season and everyone made me feel right at home from day one,” said Mackie. “Dan and Mitch have been great team mates and we have had a lot of fun together. Brett has done a great job getting the whole Team organised each week and the Sponsors have been so supportive.”
“It has been great having the opportunity to work alongside Dan before he heads over to the US. He has definitely been the guy to beat this year and I have learnt a lot working and training beside him.”
Team Manager, Brett Whale, is proud of his Teams efforts and is rapt in the overall result.
“The boys have done a great job for Kawasaki this year and they have been great to work with,” said Whale. “We came into 2007 as a relatively new Team, many of us never working with each other before, but we have made it into something great which I am proud of. The Team has received endless support from our Sponsors and Kawasaki which has been awesome.”
“Each of the rider’s mechanics has put in 110% commitment to making sure their riders have the best performing bikes. Family and friends have pitched in and helped out whenever we have needed them, which is greatly appreciated.”
“Mitch and Cody have been a lot of fun to work with and they have come a long way in 2007. I look forward to continuing our work in 2008 as we begin a new chapter in KRT.”
“Dan has been an inspiration to everyone in the Team and his commitment to being the best rider he can be will take him a long way in the US. Dan has been a fantastic ambassador for Kawasaki throughout his entire career and we will really miss having him around next season. We wish him all the best in the US and we will all be behind him 110%.”
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