Freestyle motocross hero Robbie Maddison scored a stirring victory in the popular Red Bull Race Off at the 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix over the weekend.
The invitation-only event, which also featured V8 Supercar driver Rick Kelly, Aussie Torro Rosso F1 reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo and former F1 star David Coulthard in identical Renault Meganes, saw Maddo just manage to hold off his rivals after a frenetic final lap.
Kelly, Ricciardo and Coulthard all flashed across the finish line in quick succession, although the latter was two laps behind in the final classification after he ran off at turn three on lap one.
“To drive among my heroes was an amazing experience,” said Maddison, who will now head back to his American base to prepare for this year’s Red Bull X-Fighters freestyle motocross title.
“We all had so much fun and kinda slowed each other up with all the passing. I made a few mistakes on the last lap and the boys caught right up, but luckily I was able to hold on.”
Contested in wet conditions on Saturday at Albert Park, Maddison was an impressive shock victor amongst his more experienced four-wheel rivals.
Maddison has made it clear that he intends on launching a V8 Supercar career if the opportunity arises within the next few years.