Kawasaki Racing Team PR:

After a controversial 3rd round at Toowoomba, KRT’s Luke George silenced any critics in the best possible way . . . by winning! In what can only be described as a gutsy performance, Luke won the first Pro Lites moto at the 4th round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championships at Mackay on 24 May in a race that many are describing as the best in Australian Motocross this year.  Luke then backed up his first moto win with an incredible ride in the second moto, finishing 12th after a horrific first lap crash. Although Luke had to relinquish his series leading red plate after the round, his campaign to win back to back MX Championships is well and truly on track and gaining momentum.

Luke George isn’t the only Kawasaki rider on the road towards Championship glory. Under 19s rider Luke Arbon has the Series Title well and truly in his sights after another consistent round of favourable results. Luke went 3-3 at Mackay to finish the round in 2nd place and increase his overall Championship points haul.

Health issues were to prove too costly for Pro open rider Craig Anderson who was stricken with the flu in Mackay. Craig had to settle for 7-17 for the round and sits in 6th place in the Championship.

Stepping up to a challenge thrown down last round by a competitor talking of an upcoming 1-1 at Mackay, Luke George has proven he is the fastest Pro Lites rider in Australia today and has shown why he is the current Australian Pro Lites Motocross Champion by winning the first moto at Mackay in undisputed circumstances. If Luke hadn’t already proved his gutsy talent with his first moto win, he certainly proved it in the second moto. A first lap crash on a fast section of the Mackay track saw Luke and his KX250F cart-wheeling onto the dirt. With injury avoided, a bruised and battered Luke George remounted his twisted KX a half lap behind the rest of the field. From there Luke got to work and immediately started making up lost ground. In a display of pure strength and determination, Luke came from a half a lap behind the field to finish the race in 12th place, taking valuable Championship points as his reward. Luke finished the round in 4th place and sits in 2nd place in the Championship.

Luke says, “I had an awesome first moto. I beat everybody else on the track fair and square and hopefully silenced critics after the mayhem at Toowomba.”

“I had a bit of bad luck in the second moto and went down hard on the first lap. I could’ve easily gotten hurt but luckily all is OK. Although my Kawasaki was twisted and bent I knew I still had a job to do and put my head down and got to work. I knew that if I picked off the other riders one by one, I could still take away valuable Championship points. I learnt last year that that is what wins Championships. It really comes down to how well you come back from your bad races. It’s not always about the good races.”

“I’m happy with my performance at Mackay and although I am disappointed about losing the red plate, I’m not worried. It only makes me more determined to come out swinging at the upcoming rounds.”

Whilst the Under 19s Championship has seen various riders perform well at only some rounds, Luke Arbon has shown great consistency and speed throughout the entire series to date. After taking 2nd overall at Mackay, Luke now sits in 4th place in the Championship and is only 3 points shy of 2nd place and only 9 more off the leader.

Luke Arbon says, “I’m excited to be on the podium again!”

“My Kawasaki was awesome as always, the Mackay track was really wide and fast and the KX loved it. I’m adding to my points haul every single round and edging closer and closer to my goal of a Championship win.”

KRT Manager Brett Whale says, “Even if you’re not a Motocross fan, you’d have to admit that the racing at Mackay was sensational. Luke George had to show the critics that he’s the man and he showed that in the first moto. I’m really proud of him. He proved to the knockers that he is the fastest by going straight out there and beating Moss. He had a bit of bad luck in the second moto and that big crash really cost him, however he showed his true skill and talent by riding a badly bent motorcycle home to 12th place. I am really proud of him!”

“Luke Arbon rode fantastic as well. The Under 19s is really a Championship to watch, he’s trying really really hard and riding with heart and soul. It’s great to see the young KRT blood performing so well. This is the future!”

KRT is looking forward to continuing its Championship Title chase at the 5th round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championships at Murray Bridge, SA on 14 June.