Making his debut aboard the factory-backed Kawasaki KX450F at round six, longtime AMA motocross and supercross racer Brett Metcalfe rode to a season-best runner-up finish in the premier MX1 category.
Now with additional time spent fine-tuning and familiarising himself with the flagship Kawasaki model, the South Australian looks to take it one step further this Sunday in Victoria.
“I’m feeling great as we head into Shepparton this weekend,” Metcalfe said. “The first round together went really well for us and I think with the weekend off and having a little more practice, it really allowed us to build off that and go into this weekend feeling confident and happy with the machinery.
“The MEGA Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team has done a great job getting me to this point, so hopefully we can get back on the podium and do one better – I’m really looking to get a win.”
Returning at the Nowra with a top five finish after spending time off the bike to allow a pre-season wrist injury to further mend, MX1 rookie Nathan Crawford confirms he will be shooting for a repeat performance at round seven as his experience builds.
“Nowra was pretty good, leaving in the top five, I was happy with that,” Crawford commented. “I managed to get a lot more seat time in since then too, so I’m feeling pretty confident for the weekend. Hopefully my wrist hangs in there, which we are confident that it will, and we can be back inside the top five or even on the podium!”
Team manager and former multi-time national champion Troy Carroll looks again looks forward to entering this weekend’s event with his highly-rated rider roster.
“It was great to see the MEGA Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team KX450F on the podium for the first time this season in Nowra,” Carroll said. “We’re looking forward to carrying that momentum into this weekend’s event.
“I hope to see both of our riders at the front of the pack once again and we are really satisfied that the arrival of Brett and increased fitness of Nathan has really placed us in a strong position for the rest of the season.”
Shepparton’s seventh round of the 2017 MX Nationals will take place this Sunday, 16 July, in Victoria. Further information on the 10-round series can be found on the official website at www.mxnationals.com.au.
