Buildbase Honda’s Fabien Izoird squeezed SR75 Suzuki’s Thomas Ramette into second in this morning’s Power Maxed Arenacross Tour Pro class timed qualifying session, posting an average time of 25.536, just 0.003 seconds ahead of his fellow Frenchman.
Aussie supercross-ace Dan Reardon (JK I-Fly Yamaha) rounded out the top three, with Charles Lefrancois – Izoird’s team-mate and winner of the opening round at Manchester – fourth, Cedric Soubeyras (Team FRO Systems) fifth and Cyrille Coulon (SR75 Suzuki) sixth. Welshman Ashley Greedy – often dubbed the bad boy of Arenacross – was the top Brit. He stormed his Team FRO Systems bike to an impressive eighth fasted in qualifying, less than half a second off the pace of the front runners.
The Pro Lites and Youth classes all completed their first set of races prior to the lunchtime interval. The Pro Lites race was red-flagged after five laps, due to an accident involving Lewis Dowdeswell. A result was declared with Chris Bayliss (Wooldridge Demolition) taking the win. Joe Clayton (Team Green Holeshot Kawasaki) and Jason Meara (JK I-Fly Yamaha) followed him to the flag in second and third. Going into the evening race, Bayliss leads the championship by four points ahead of Clayton who, in turn, is four points ahead of Meara. With the top three evenly matched and all hungry for the win, this evening’s Pro Lites race is going to be one not to be missed.
Newcastle’s Buster Hart, stormed the second-round opening race of the Power Maxed Arenacross Tour. He charged his Bikesport KTM to first place with Raife Broadley, Kawasaki, in second and Josh Jones, KTM in third. Both Hart and Broadley have enjoyed Arenacross glory in the past, each winning the 65cc category in 2014 (Hart) and 2015 (Broadley). Their morning success has hoisted them to first and second in the current Supermini class.
The youngest group, namely the Youth 65, also had their first race at Newcastle this morning. Shaun Mahoney emerged the victor, with Harvey Antrobus and Kyron Carron second and third. Carlisle’s Ryan Waggott didn’t fare so well in the non-public race, but is hoping the support of his family and friends will lift him all the way to the podium when this’s evenings show takes place in front of a cheering Newcastle crowd.
Pro Qualifying
1. Fabien Izoird, Buildbase Honda, 25.536
2. Thomas Ramette, SR75 World Suzuki, 25.539
3. Dan Reardon, JK I-Fly Yamaha Racing, 25.711
4. Charles Lefrancois, Buildbase Honda, 25.712
5. Cedric Soubeyras, Team FRO Systems, 25.815
6. Cyrille Coulon, SR75 World Suzuki, 25.828
7. Evgeny Bobryshev, RFX Suzuki, 25.911
8. Ashley Greedy, Team FRO Systems, 25.965
9. Adrien Escoffier, MVR-D St Blazey Husqvarna, 25.974
10. Elliott Banks Browne, Geartech Husqvarna, 26.346
Pro Lites Race 1
1. Chris Bayliss, 20 points
2. Joe Clayton, 18
3. Jason Meara, 16
4. Harry Kimber, 15
5. Billy King, 14
6. George Clarke, 13
Supermini Race 1
1. Buster Hart, 20
2. Raife Broadley, 18
3. Josh Jones, 16
4. Charlie Keight, 15
5. Tommy Gilbert, 14
6. Oliver Kilgour, 13
Youth 65
1. Shaun Mahoney, 20 points
2. Harvey Antrobus, 18
3. Kyron Carron, 16
4. William Murphy, 15
5. Jake Davies, 14
6. Zane Stephens, 13
A full house is anticipated for the return of AX to the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena this evening. A few tickets may still be available on the door. Doors open at 6.30pm and the show gets underway at 7.30pm.