Racing News

Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki Endures Challenging Round 4 at Traralgon

Traralgon, VIC – May 27, 2025

The Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki Team faced a tough outing at Round 4 of the 2025 Penrite ProMX Championship in Traralgon, with both MX1 rider Luke Clout and MX2 debutant Rhys Budd encountering race-ending incidents.

After a strong start to the season, the team’s momentum was halted by a series of unfortunate events. In the MX1 class, Luke Clout qualified 7th and looked to bounce back in the SuperPole session. However, a first-lap crash forced him to return to the pits. Following medical evaluation, Clout was diagnosed with a concussion and was withdrawn from the remainder of the event as a precaution.

Clout did not start either moto and now sits 7th in the MX1 Championship standings with 92 points.

Rhys Budd made a promising debut aboard the KX250 in MX2, running inside the top five early in Moto 1 before finishing 7th. In Moto 2, Budd was in 6th position at the halfway mark when he collided with a downed rider and was subsequently struck by another competitor. He was escorted from the track by Racesafe Medical and later cleared of any major injuries. Budd is expected to return for Round 5.

“Today was a frustrating day, but we are extremely grateful that both Luke and Rhys are in good health and will recover quickly from their crashes,” said Tyson Cherry, Team Owner of Empire Kawasaki. “It’s part of racing, and our focus now shifts to regrouping and attacking the second half of the championship in the coming weeks.”

Round 5 of the ProMX Championship takes the team to Warwick, QLD on 22nd June 2025.

MX1 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1. Jed BEATON (Yamaha) 160 pts

2. Kyle WEBSTER (Honda) 147 pts

3. Nathan Crawford (KTM) 129 pts

7. Luke CLOUT (Kawasaki) 92 pts

MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1. Brodie CONNOLLY (Honda) 192 pts

2. Ryder KINGSFORD (Yamaha) 182 pts

3. Noah FERGUSON (KTM) 135 pts

11. Rhys BUDD (Kawasaki) 67 pts

MXW CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1. Charli CANNON (Honda) 100 pts

2. Taylah McCUTCHEON (Kawasaki) 74 pts

3. Taylor THOMPSON (KTM) 67 pts

4. Karaitiana HORNE (Kawasaki) 59 pts