Image: Foremost Media.

Lawson Bopping is taking a nothing to lose approach in his guest ride with Empire Kawasaki this weekend at Wonthaggi’s second round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals, where he’ll fill-in for injured rider Dylan Long.

Long confirmed yesterday that he’ll sit out the weekend’s encounter as he continues to recover from an elbow injury sustained at Appin’s opener, calling for the official Kawasaki team to draft in Bopping.

The New South Welshman hasn’t contested an outdoor round in three years after a mystery illness prevented him from competitive racing, however improved health allowed him to return for the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship, scoring a fill-in ride at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy for the AUS-X Open Sydney and S-X Open Auckland.

“It was pretty unexpected really,” Bopping admitted to MotoOnline.com.au. “I got a phone call from Tyson Cherry on Monday and mentioned Dylan might not be racing this weekend, and he asked if I’d be interested in a one-off race this weekend – I have Larbert MX open this week as well, so I was running around organising this and that, but we made it happen and I’m actually down in Melbourne at the moment.

“I haven’t had a whole lot of time on the bike, but I’ve got a Kawasaki at home, so I’m familiar with it. My bike at home is dead stock, and I hopped on Longy’s bike yesterday – obviously we have quite a different stature, so we had to change a few things. I like the bike – the Kawasaki is my bike of choice.

“I’m going to go there and ride as hard as I can and for as long as I can, then see where I end up. I’ve got a nothing to lose attitude going into it – I’m just going to wing it and have some fun.

“I’ve been riding a bit at home – I haven’t been throwing down 30-minute motos, but whenever the tracks are good, I’ve been spinning some laps just to stay ready if an opportunity like this popped up – and it just so happened to on a Kawasaki team. It’s not good for Longy – it’s not good at all – but it is part of the sport.”

Bopping will join Empire Kawasaki regular Deakin Hellier, who’s currently contesting the MXD category.