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Empire Kawasaki's Reid Taylor Claims Career Best P2 Moto Finish At ProMX Maitland
The Empire Kawasaki Team headed to the Hunter Valley and Maitland NSW for Round 4 of the ProMX Championship and the first two day racing format of the 24’ season. With Team riders Luke Clout and Reid Taylor both hailing from NSW, energy was high in the Team pits to make this Round count.
In the MX1 Class, Luke Clout made his intentions clear in the opening Moto on Saturday, charging from outside the top 5 in the opening laps all the way to third position. At the mid way point, Clout would close in on the lead duo, but ultimately settle for a season best 3rd position at the chequered flag.
On Sunday, Clout would continue with his trademark aggressive riding style, leaving nothing on the table across the rough and rutted Maitland track. With 5-5 Moto scores for day 2, Clout would finish Round 4 in 5th Overall, missing out on his podium aspirations, but taking lots of positives from the Round.
“I feel like we made a lot of progress this weekend and have made great progress in the right direction”, said Clout.
“After leading at Horsham a few races ago, I felt like I finally had the speed back in the opening Moto to challenge for wins. We may have ended up 5th Overall, but I’ll take that feeling heading into Murray Bridge”, concluded Clout.
In MX2, Reid Taylor would impress early, placing the 3rd best time in Qualifying. His speed and potential would have to wait until Moto 2 on Sunday morning where Taylor secured great track position on the KX250 and posted the fastest lap of the race on lap 3. Down the stretch after closing in on the race leader, Taylor would settle for a career best 2nd place in Moto 2.
The confidence and momentum for Taylor was clear as he claimed the holeshot in Moto 3 and did not look back, putting in 25 perfect minutes leading the race. In a heart breaking turn of events, on the final lap, an unidentified issue would relegate Taylor back to 10th position at the chequered flag.
“This weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions”, said Taylor.
“I’ve had my best performance in my ProMX career and was on track for my first Moto win. That was not meant to be this weekend but I can take so much confidence from Maitland for the rest of the season”, concluded Taylor.
The Empire Kawasaki Team now move their focus to Murray Bridge, SA, for Round 5 of the ProMX Championship taking place on Sunday June 23rd.