Harri Kullas took the red plate after the MX Nationals at the weekend despite missing one moto through sickess, and when series leader Todd Kellett missed day two as he was reported to be ill. Kullas’ team said:
Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha rider Harri Kullas continued his Michelin MX Nationals Pro MX1 campaign this weekend, with round 3 at Canada Heights in Kent. Disaster struck before a wheel was turned on Saturday morning, as Harri was sick (every 6 minutes to be precise) from 8am and at 10am paramedics recommended Harri went to hospital. Harri was given the all clear and although drained and exhausted, returned for race two and 20th place, for a valuable point.
On Sunday Harri felt better and was ready to race, though not sure of what the day was going to bring. Harri had to line up last on the gate but got a good jump and was just outside the top ten, before making some quick passes on lap one.
Harri then began picking riders off and got up to 4th place with three laps to go, which is where he finished. Awesome result.
In race 4 Harri got a great jump and was 5th on lap one, before moving past Jake Millward and edging closer to Tommy Searle in 3rd towards the end. Harri didn’t get quite close enough to make a move but was only 0.5 seconds behind 3rd at the end and 6 seconds behind race winner, Bobryshev.
The two 4th place finishes on Sunday meant Harri moved into the Pro MX1 series lead. An awesome achievement considering how the weekend started!
He said: “Weekend didn’t start well. Saturday morning I was very sick for a few hours and had to visit hospital. Very unlucky start to the weekend but I guess everyone has had bad luck this year at MX Nationals.
“Anyway when I came back from hospital I did join second race just to score that 1 point. Obviously body was very weak after some kind of bacteria in my stomach and throwing everything out from my body. Luckily I managed to eat in the evening and had decent sleep over the night.
“I was far from 100% but it was more damage control today. Because I didn’t do qualifying I had last gate pick. Starts were decent and I took third race of the weekend steadily to see how I gonna feel and I moved up to 4th place and end of the moto and save energy for fourth race.
“Fourth race I had even better start and I was around 5th in the beginning and moved quickly to 4th. In the end of the race I had very good pace as I closed to 3rd and 2nd place. Last lap fighting with Tommy for 3rd but couldn’t just make the pass.
“Anyway two times 4th place gave me the championship lead back, so I am happy after all that happened on Saturday! I need to say big thanks to my amazing girlfriend, Lisett, who helped me out and stayed with me in hospital! She is just an angel! As well everyone at Cab Screens crew who supported me, Lee, Steve, Simon, Ryan and Ian! Thank you.”