GMR MOTOREX KTM RACE REPORT - New Zealand Supercross & South Island Championship

Dylan Long ….wins opening round of New Zealand Supercross Championship

Dylan Long…wins South Island Supercross Championship

EVENT INFORMATION

New Zealand Supercross Championship Rnd 1, Timaru, New Zealand, 6 January 2010

South Island Supercross Championship Nelson, New Zealand, 9 January 2010

PICTURE ATTACHED

Dylan Long racing

Photo credit Kristy Macdonald (file photo)

DYLAN LONG RESULTS

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRACK:

NZ Super X - The track was a lengthy circuit with a 50 second+ lap time and a variety of rhythm sections

South Island Super X - -      Lengthy Supercross track with over a minute lap time, very much like an Australian style Arena-X layout

POINTS OF INTEREST:

NZ Super X

The New Zealand Supercross Championship is run over four rounds of racing.

Round 1 - The event organizers compiled a ‘Pub Talk’ tally of the fastest lap times of the event, combining junior and senior racers, which placed Dylan 7^th fastest with a 54.7 second lap time, only a couple of seconds shy of Ben Townley on 52.6 and Cody Cooper on 53.3.

Round 2 – In between round one and two of the national NZ Super X was the South Island Super X.  Dylan injured his wrist at the South Island event and did not want to risk further injury by competing in the second round of the NZ Super X, given mother nature was throwing everything she had at the track and the riders – wind, rain, and a chill factor that iced riders bones.

South Island Super X

The South Island Super X is featured as a one round stand alone event

The only other Australian rider to win the South Island Super X was Tye Simmonds

QUOTES

RACER – Dylan Long

… on the NZ Super X

“I had good fun out at the back flips track and was happy to take the round win,” said Long.  “I won races one and two, and settled for second in the last race. In the last one I slid-out in the first turn, and the race was cut back to five laps, so I was happy to take second which still gave me the overall for the round.

“I got to watch senior riders like Ben Townley and Cody Cooper go at it in their races, which was awesome to see as they are world class riders.

“I unfortunately injured my wrist at the South Island Super X, which took place before round two of the national series.  The weather and the track were really tough and I felt it wasn’t worth risking hurting my wrist more when I was only going to ride two rounds of this national series anyway.” 

….on the South Island Super X

“It was a sick ride for me at this event,” said Long. ”The track was fairly hard pack, and dusty with just over a minutes lap time. The jumps and rhythm sections were more like our arena-x tracks back home which brings the competition a lot closer.

“In my first and second motos, I got clean starts and rode home for the wins, but in the final moto my grid pick could have been better, and I didn’t get the jump that I wanted. I got tangled with a rider in the first turn and lost a good 15 seconds off the lead rider.

“I tweaked my wrist in the crash, but I pushed hard and safely back up into second, which gave me enough points to take the overall for the event.

Unfortunately my wrist injury caused me to have to pull out of round two of the National Championship but I’m still happy to come home with the South Island title.”

TEAM MANAGER – Glenn Macdonald

…..on the NZ Super X

“Dylan has proved once again that he is one of the fastest juniors around, whether it is in motocross or supercross racing,” said Macdonald.  “Dylan has literally jumped on a borrowed second hand KTM 250SX-F and not only picked up the win for the round, but also put in some amazing lap times compared to some high caliber riders.

“There was a mechanical gremlin which plagued the bike during the event, but the KTM held strong, and Dylan was able to ride it home for a great result.

“We are extremely grateful for the support and welcoming attitude of those involved in inviting Dylan to race in New Zealand, and to his mechanic Anthony Giles for doing his usual magic!”

….on the South Island Super X

“Dylan has backed up his opening round win of the New Zealand Supercross Championships held earlier this week extremely well, taking his first number one plate for the season at the South Island Championships.

“Dylan is having a great time over in New Zealand and it is an awesome way to kick off the season.”

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

NZ Super X following round one

Junior 250-F

1. Dylan Long 57 pts
2. Isaiah McGoldrick 54 pts
3. Tom Managh 43 pts

South Island Super X final

Junior 250

1.     Dylan Long 57 pts

2.     Tom Managh 47 pts

3.     Isaiah McGoldrick 43 pts