Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing press release:

Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing riders Kyle Webster and Rhys Budd have enjoyed a share of podium performances at Sunday’s (March 31) second round of the MX Nationals Australian championship staged at Wonthaggi Raceway in Victoria.

Two weeks after torrential rains forced the early termination of proceedings at the MX Nationals series opener at Appin Raceway in NSW, competitors at Wonthaggi were greeted with sunny then damp conditions, but thankfully it was nowhere near as bad as the previous event.

Renowned as one of the toughest venues on the national calendar, the sandy Wonthaggi circuit held the moisture well, but like always developed into a deeply rutted and whooped out track that truly tested man and machine.

In the Pirelli-sponsored MX2 category, KYLE WEBSTER qualified his potent Honda CRF250R race bike in a strong third place, putting him in a confident frame of mind for the morning’s high pressure back-to-back eight lap Sprint motor.

“The first race in the morning was pretty wet and the mud was tough,” Webster explained, “but nevertheless I was running top four for most of the moto and was feeling good, until the last lap when my bike stopped due to overheating.

“With the back-to-back format I had to get back to the start and get straight on my practice bike for the second moto, which meant I didn’t get a chance to prep my gate,” Webster continued, “which in turn meant I got a bad start and it was all I could do to work my way up to fifth by the finish of the moto.”

Recomposing for the afternoon’s third and final MX2 moto with fresh SPY goggles, Webster nailed down a strong start and quickly settled into a rhythm that saw him finish the race second behind defending MX2 champion Wilson Todd (Husqvarna).

“That final moto was a much better way to end a day that definitely didn’t start the way I was hoping,” enthused Webster.

Webster is now placed tenth in the MX2 championship after two rounds.

In the MXD category, RHYS BUDD continued the strong form he showed at the series opener at Appin, by putting in two confident motos at Wonthaggi to capture third overall for the round and plant himself firmly upon the podium.

“Wonthaggi is known as a really tough sand track, and truth be told I am not much of a sand rider,” Budd admitted, “but I actually felt really strong at Wonthaggi.”

Using powerful starts and a determined riding style that kept him clear of any incidents, Budd finished third and fourth in the two MXD motos for third overall behind Reagan Duffy and Mason Rowe.

“Third overall for the round is good and it means I am a solid second in the championship standings after two rounds, which I’m really pleased about,“ Budd continued.

“I can’t wait to get back home to Sydney and just keep working hard toward the next round. The MX Nationals is a long series, for sure, but my plan is to keep hitting my targets and to be right there at the end of the championship.”

The 2019 MX Nationals championship continues in two weeks time, when Victoria’s Broadford Raceway is host to round three on Sunday, April 14.

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