Voight shows blinding pace at SMP finale – N...

MOTUL Summer time Night time Sequence hosted by St. George MCC
Sydney Motorsport Park – Gardner GP Circuit
Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2

Phrases and pictures by Nick Edards / Half Gentle / RbMotoLens

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The third and remaining spherical of the MOTUL St George Summer time Nights Sequence 2024-25 (SNS05) passed off over the evenings of February the seventh and eighth at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The occasion noticed splendid situations on Friday, however Saturday’s climate proved to be a significant component. The observe by no means absolutely dried, and as thunderstorms rolled in, organisers have been pressured to desert the assembly roughly an hour sooner than scheduled.

Occasion Format

Given the distinctive construction of the SNS sequence, it’s price reiterating how the occasion is organized. Six courses compete, with pairs of courses sharing observe time. For SNS05 Spherical Three, the line-up featured:

• Pirelli Limitless F1 (worldwide/nationwide riders) & Limitless F2 (club-level riders)
• AGV 600 F1 (worldwide/nationwide riders) & 600 F2 (club-level riders)
• Kabuto 400cc & Falco Components St George, making their first look of the yr, changing Airoh Limitless F3 & 5 Gloves Retro, which participated within the first two rounds.

Race Format

Factors for the spherical have been decided by the combination outcomes from each nights of racing. The format remained constant throughout each days, with every paired class scheduled for:

• One 10-minute qualifying session per night time
• Three seven-lap races per night time

This meant every class had two qualifying classes and 6 races over the occasion. The progressive grid system was utilized:

• Qualifying outcomes set the grid for Race 1
• Race 1 outcomes decided the grid for Race 2
• Race 2 outcomes decided the grid for Race 3, and so forth

Protection

As is customary for SNS, our protection is cut up into two experiences. This primary report focuses on the Pirelli Limitless F1/F2 courses, whereas a second report will cowl AGV 600 F1/F2, Kabuto 400cc, and Falco Components St George.

Race Reviews for Pirelli Limitless courses at Rounds One and Two will be discovered right here:
2024/2025 St. George Summer Night Series

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Time Constraints and Race Changes

Time is all the time an important issue at Summer time Nights occasions, as sustaining the schedule requires minimal turnaround time between classes.

Any overruns could cause disruptions later within the night, with the ten:30 PM curfew serving as a tough cease, permitting for little or no flexibility past that.

The early abandonment of Saturday’s racing attributable to climate meant that each one courses missed out on their third race of the night time.

Friday fared significantly better, although a sequence of pink flags, restarts, and restoration delays led to a while loss. Regardless of this, Pirelli Limitless F1/F2 managed to finish its full three-race schedule, whereas one different race was misplaced attributable to time constraints.

Stacked F1 Lineup & F2 Contenders

The F1 grid was full of expertise, that includes a robust line-up of riders. Cru Halliday, Matt Walters, Arthur Sissis, Tom Toparis, and Anthony West made their first appearances of the season, becoming a member of sequence regulars akin to Jonathan Nahlous, Josh Brookes, and Jack Favelle.

Additionally returning for Spherical Three was Glenn Allerton, trying to put his new-for-2025 Ducati via its paces. Sadly, ECU points restricted his observe time, stopping him from making a big impression on the outcomes.

In F2, the highest club-level riders have been out in pressure, with sequence chief Dom De Leon main the cost, joined by Chris Dunne, Timothy Griffith, Harley Borkowski, and different key rivals.

Championship Standings Heading into Spherical Three

As Spherical Three bought underway, JJ Nahlous led the F1 standings with 117 factors, holding a snug hole over Josh Brookes (88 factors) in second, and Jack Favelle (86 factors) in third.

In F2, Dominic De Leon sat atop the leaderboard with 130 factors, simply 9 factors forward of Chris Dunne (121 factors), whereas Tim Griffith (97 factors) rounded out the highest three.

With 25 factors awarded per race win, the championship was nonetheless extensive open, setting the stage for an intense weekend of racing.

Friday Qualifying – A Windy Shake-Up

Qualifying passed off simply as a southerly wind swept throughout the observe, providing reduction from the afternoon warmth and shaking up observe situations.

Harrison Voight, not a sequence common however all the time a robust competitor when he fronts, wasted no time asserting his dominance. Voight secured pole place with a blistering 1m29.939, practically two-seconds away from Josh Brookes (1m31.757), who edged out Jack Favelle by simply two-hundredths of a second for second place.

Sequence chief Nahlous lined up fourth on the grid, main row two, and ending lower than half a second behind Favelle.

In F2, Timothy Griffith topped the timesheets with a 1m36.316, inserting him 14th total on the grid. Scott Gardner (1m36.505) and Jack Passfield (1m37.205) adopted intently in fifteenth and sixteenth.

Championship front-runners De Leon and Dunne have been simply behind them, organising a aggressive battle for the races forward.

Friday Qualifying Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2 – Friday Race One

Harrison Voight launched off the grid and by no means regarded again, controlling the race from begin to end. His quickest lap of 1m29.999 was properly over a second faster than the following quickest, set by Josh Brookes, who crossed the road practically six-seconds behind Voight in second place.

JJ Nahlous put in a robust effort however couldn’t fairly shut the hole to Brookes, ending third, only a second behind the BSB veteran. Sean Condon and Jack Favelle rounded out the F1 prime 5.

In F2, Dominic De Leon claimed victory at school, ending thirteenth total, and securing 25 essential championship factors to increase his lead over Chris Dunne, who completed fourth in class.

Scott Gardner and Timothy Griffith accomplished the F2 podium, with Gardner ending three and a half seconds behind De Leon.

Race One Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2 – Friday Race Two

Harrison Voight as soon as once more proved untouchable within the second bout, showcasing each velocity and consistency with a quickest lap of 1m29.942—making him the one rider to dip beneath 1m30 in any race on Friday.

He stormed to a different commanding victory, ending just below four-seconds forward of Josh Brookes—a formidable margin at this stage.

The battle for third via fifth was a thriller, with Sean Condon, Anthony West, and JJ Nahlous crossing the road inside simply over a tenth of a second of one another, making for one of many tightest finishes of the night time.

In F2, Dominic De Leon was on fireplace, taking his second class win of the night time whereas ending thirteenth total with a greatest lap of 1m35.362. He crossed the road six-seconds forward of Timothy Griffith, who secured second at school.

Chris Dunne and Scott Gardner completed in shut firm behind Griffith, whereas Harley Borkowski rounded out the F2 prime 5.

Race Two Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2 – Friday Race Three

Harrison Voight went on to finish an ideal night time, securing his third straight victory with a dominant seven-second win over JJ Nahlous.

Nahlous, nonetheless, needed to fend off a charging Anthony West, who completed simply one-tenth of a second behind him in what was an exhilarating battle for second place.

Cru Halliday, racing for Cease & Seal this yr, completed fourth, whereas Jack Favelle rounded out the highest 5.

As for Josh Brookes, his night time—and finally his weekend—got here to an abrupt halt attributable to a small part failure on his home-built Honda. With no substitute half out there earlier than Sunday, his promising weekend was reduce quick in disappointing vogue.

In F2, Dominic De Leon continued his relentless type, ending tenth total and securing one other class victory.

He crossed the road seven seconds forward of Timothy Griffith, whereas Scott Gardner completed a detailed third—simply seven-hundredths of a second behind Griffith. Chris Dunne and Harley Borkowski accomplished the F2 prime 5.

Championship Standings After Friday Night time – F1 Standings

1. JJ Nahlous – 171 factors
2. Jack Favelle – 133 factors
3. Josh Brookes – 117 factors

With a 38-point lead, Nahlous regarded sturdy for the sequence win, however with Favelle nonetheless inside putting distance, any slip-up on Saturday may have modified the championship image.

F2 Standings

1. Dominic De Leon – 205 factors
2. Chris Dunne – 173 factors (-32)
3. Timothy Griffith – 155 factors

De Leon’s 32-point lead over Dunne made him the heavy favorite for the F2 championship, however with 25 factors per race win nonetheless up for grabs, a late cost from Dunne remained a chance

Race Three Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless Saturday F1 and F2 Qualifying Two

Saturday’s Wild Climate: A Race Towards the Storm

The climate forecast main as much as the occasion hadn’t been promising, however after Friday’s excellent situations, there was hope that Saturday would possibly maintain out. Sadly, that hope was short-lived.

Afternoon showers left the observe damp as 1830 approached and bikes rolled out for qualifying. A dry line briefly emerged, however by mid-evening, the rain returned—this time, for good. The reasonably heavy showers deterred some racers, however many nonetheless braved the moist situations.

Then, at 2130, issues fell aside utterly. Thunder and lightning, which had beforehand been localised away from Sydney Motorsport Park, moved in instantly over the circuit.

As a security precaution, observe marshals have been known as again in, as a result of standing in a metal-framed marshalling put up throughout a thunderstorm isn’t precisely splendid—or secure.

By the point the marshals returned to their base, the skies absolutely opened up. The rain radar confirmed no signal of reduction, and with the 2230 curfew looming, the occasion was formally deserted, because it was clear that situations wouldn’t enhance.

The Impression on Pirelli Limitless

The consequence? A moist qualifying session, two moist races, and no Race Three—not the best way anybody wished to shut the sequence. However when Sydney’s summer time climate decides to make a press release, you merely roll with the punches.

Saturday Qualifying – De Leon Units the Benchmark

Within the difficult situations, F2 sequence chief Dominic De Leon delivered an distinctive lap, clocking 1m38.813—a staggering hole to Jack Favelle (1m42.655), underlining simply how spectacular De Leon’s time was.

Josh Brookes, driving a spare bike, took third, adopted by JJ Nahlous and Ryan Yanko, finishing the highest 5. In F2, the following quickest after De Leon have been Timothy Griffith, Chris Dunne, William Steuart, and Harley Borkowski.

The sector was noticeably depleted in comparison with Friday, with simply 19 riders taking to the observe—far fewer than the 35 rivals who had raced the earlier night time.

Saturday Qualifying Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2 – Saturday Race One

With the climate worsening, solely three F1 riders lined up for Race One on Saturday, and so they unsurprisingly took the highest three positions. Jack Favelle secured victory, ending 1.5 seconds forward of JJ Nahlous, whereas Ryan Yanko crossed the road 12-seconds additional again in third.

Favelle’s greatest lap of 1m45.136 was a transparent reflection of the difficult situations—a stark distinction to Friday’s dry tempo, the place he had been lapping 14 seconds sooner.

F2: De Leon Prevails Once more

Regardless of the treacherous situations, Dominic De Leon showcased his adaptability, securing one other F2 class win. Timothy Griffith and Chris Dunne battled arduous for second place, with Griffith edging out Dunne by lower than two-tenths of a second.

Curiously, Griffith’s quickest lap (1m47.534) was over a second faster than De Leon’s greatest (1m48.892), nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to safe victory—a pink flag finally reduce quick his cost, sealing De Leon’s win.

Race One Outcomes

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Pirelli Limitless F1 and F2 – Saturday Race Two

Race Two turned out to be the ultimate Pirelli Limitless race of the night time, the occasion, and all the sequence. Whereas the climate dampened the spectacle, full credit score goes to the riders who braved the situations and went for it.

A particular point out goes to Ryan Yanko, who took a well-earned victory, crossing the road half a second forward of Jack Favelle. JJ Nahlous, the one different F1 rider to grid up, completed third, a few seconds behind Favelle.

F2: De Leon Completes a Good Weekend

Dominic De Leon wrapped up an unbeatable two nights of racing, securing his fifth consecutive win and ending fourth total on observe after an exhilarating battle with Chris Dunne.

Behind them, Timothy Griffith took third in class, whereas Andrew Simson—who had been competing in Airoh Limitless F3 in earlier rounds—deserves recognition for stepping as much as the sooner F2 class for Spherical Three and ending fourth. Brendan Faithfull rounded out the F2 prime 5.

A Moist & Becoming Finish to the Sequence

As Pirelli groups waited within the pits, hoping for a return to the observe, it rapidly turned clear that the night time was over. The ultimate affirmation got here when the official abandonment announcement was revamped the pitlane PA.

The situations have been so dangerous that even the awards ceremony needed to be moved indoors. As an alternative of the same old exterior podium presentation, everybody crammed right into a storage, resulting in a chaotic however memorable second—a lot in order that the announcer needed to inform the gang to cool down at the least fifteen instances.

A wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable approach to shut out the MOTUL St George Summer time Nights Sequence 2024-25.

Race Two Outcomes

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Factors

In F1, Jack Favelle and JJ Nahlous completed the assembly tied on 92 factors, however Favelle took the general win on countback because of his Friday night time race victory.

Ryan Yanko put in a robust and constant efficiency, securing third place on 80 factors—a testomony to his regular tempo over each nights.

Remaining Championship Standings – F1

1. JJ Nahlous – 209 factors 🏆
2. Jack Favelle – 178 factors (-31)
3. Josh Brookes – 128 factors

With a 31-point margin, Nahlous claimed the F1 title in dominant vogue, edging out his good buddy Favelle. It had been a tricky sequence for Brookes as he was on the instruments to construct himself a race bike from scratch, however his never-give-up angle noticed him battle his approach to a well-earned third place total.

The calibre of expertise on this sequence is exceptional, and it speaks volumes about St. George MCC’s repute that they proceed to draw nationwide and international-level riders to what stays, at its coronary heart, a membership occasion.

F2: De Leon’s Dominance Seals the Title

In F2, Dominic De Leon placed on a masterclass, ending the assembly with 125 factors and securing the title by a 29-point margin over Timothy Griffith. Chris Dunne pushed arduous all weekend in an effort to shut the hole, however De Leon’s tempo was just too sturdy.

Dunne earned a well-deserved third place for the assembly with 90 factors, proving simply how aggressive the battle on the prime was.

Remaining Championship Standings – F2

1. Dominic De Leon – 255 factors 🏆
2. Chris Dunne – 211 factors (-44)
3. Timothy Griffith – 193 factors

A smiling and humble De Leon lifted the F2 title, capping off an exceptional season. Dunne’s relentless willpower made the battle thrilling till the very finish, whereas Griffith’s resilience noticed him push via a difficult season to safe third total.

Season 5: One other One for the Books

Season 5 of the MOTUL St. George Summer time Nights Sequence had its ups and downs, however its profitable formulation—a unbelievable observe, beautiful floodlights, and the unwavering dedication of volunteers—made it yet one more season to recollect.

The Night time Sequence household continues to develop stronger, and now the countdown begins—simply ten months till Season Six kicks off!

Congratulations to all riders, groups, officers, volunteers, medics, and everybody else who makes this sequence the spotlight of the racing calendar for therefore many.

Quotes

JJ Nahlous – Pirelli Limitless F1

“The final spherical was a great spherical having each moist and dry situations beginning off with dry on Friday. We had numerous competitors and realized so much from with the ability to comply with them and see what they do otherwise to me. We had a whole lot of issues to attempt coming into the weekend as we don’t have any knowledge or expertise on the Superbike, we’re studying all of it for ourselves.

“Friday was good for us, attempting these various things and studying extra what the adjustments labored and what didn’t. I’m beginning to really feel extra comfy on the bike which has been good. Saturday night time was moist the entire night time which was a little bit of enjoyable preserving issues attention-grabbing, attempting various things with the bike and having fun with the method. Total the sequence was actually good for me, I didn’t miss a race and raced in all situations. This sequence was an superior approach to begin off my first season on the Superbike and it was cool to have the ability to race with a few of the greatest is Australia.”

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Jack Favelle – Pirelli Limitless F1

“Spherical 3 handled me very properly, we made nice progress on Friday within the dry, beating my earlier PB by a second. Within the races, I used to be beginning to have the ability to hold onto the extra skilled riders in entrance which I used to be tremendous enthusiastic about. Saturday was nice for me with it being moist as I do know I will be quick within the rain.

“It’s a-shame the extra skilled riders didn’t exit so we didn’t have a benchmark to see how briskly we truly have been. However I used to be very completely satisfied to go 2 seconds sooner than final time at Spherical 1 in related moist situations. The dash sequence has been excellent for me to have the ability to enhance my driving and to become familiar with racing the R1 earlier than we go into ASBK in just a few weeks time! And naturally I used to be tremendous completely satisfied to take out the spherical win and second for the sequence!!”

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Josh Brookes – Pirelli Limitless F1

“This yr has been the third consecutive yr that I’ve taken half within the St George Summer time Nights Sequence. The primary two years have been a lot simpler in that I used to be driving for the Livson Racing BMW Crew and basically all that I’d do can be to reach on the occasion with all of the bike preparation completed, the tyres fitted and I may simply stroll into the storage, soar on the bike and experience as an expert as I’ve for the final twenty years.

“This yr was very completely different. Being a Honda rider within the UK, I wished to do the Night time Sequence on Hondas to prepared myself for the yr forward however there isn’t a Honda presence in racing in Australia presently, so there wasn’t a staff or possibility for me to step onto an present bike which meant I needed to construct one myself. With the assistance of Honda Australia, a load of components suppliers and my race staff within the UK I used to be capable of construct the bike myself in my own residence storage and took half within the Night time Sequence.

“The opening spherical was fairly a problem it was the very first time the bike had been on observe. I had anticipated to do the observe day within the day time to get the bike shaked down and able to experience however the climate was horrible and I didn’t get to experience in any respect. So, the very first experience I did on the bike was the qualifying session for the opening spherical. Contemplating I’d put the bike collectively and had no likelihood to show the package deal, it went exceptionally properly.

“The next spherical went even higher, I used to be capable of refine the settings a bit extra, perceive the electronics facet and had a laptop computer to regulate a few of the engine brake management and the ability settings so it felt like I made actual good progress shifting ahead and. That gave me confidence to go to Phillip Island and experience the bike on the Victorian Titles.

“Sadly, possibly via my very own error or simply unfortunate with some sensor faults, the bike began to misbehave on the electronics facet, it could reduce out the traction management, auto-blipper and quickshift however was nonetheless was capable of get good outcomes. I got here house from there, made some adjustments to the bike, thought I’d corrected the issues and went to Sydney for the ultimate two nights of racing and the problems have been nonetheless there. I managed to get via the primary two races on the Friday however then the issue turned a difficulty even with beginning the bike so I parked it.

“I didn’t try to apply it to the Saturday however didn’t need to let individuals down who had come to observe so I bought certainly one of my bikes, mainly a museum piece out of my very own assortment and was going to experience that however the climate wasn’t enjoying ball, it rained all night time so I sat it out. Not as a result of I don’t need to experience within the rain however once I evaluated the scenario, I personal the bike, have so much invested in it and driving at the hours of darkness, underneath lights, within the rain, in put too many parts into the possibilities of one thing going fallacious. If I used to be racing for a championship or the membership sequence was the one sequence I used to be racing in, then in fact I’d take each alternative to experience at each second however as I get so many alternatives to race via the yr, in British Superbikes, within the rain, I’ve a whole lot of expertise driving in these situations and I don’t have to do extra even within the low season so these have been the explanations for stepping apart and never driving throughout the rain and clearly that was additionally a giant a part of not driving a lot on the opening spherical of Summer time Nights Sequence as a result of a whole lot of that night was rain affected as properly.

“So all in all this yr has been a fantastic reward and I’ve actually loved the method nevertheless it’s been so much more durable, battling the climate and ranging observe situations. This yr we had an enormous variety of pink flags, excess of within the earlier two years. Then, me constructing my very own bike and prepping it, getting it prepared for each session, I’ve had buddies come and be a part of to behave as mechanics however finally the stress lies on my shoulders to ensure the bike’s proper for each session and that carries a whole lot of accountability on prime of racing the bike as properly. So, it’s all been optimistic, clearly there’s areas that I want we may’ve made higher or gone higher however a few of these have been out of my management and I really feel like I’ve realized so much about myself, the bike and I’ve undoubtedly realized so much in regards to the Honda and the Honda ECU and electronics and I really feel like that I’ve undoubtedly bettered myself in preparation for the British Superbike Championship I’m about to enter.”

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Dominic De Leon – Pirelli Limitless F2

“Effectively to say this was a dream sequence for the staff can be a complete understatement. Going into Spherical 1 we actually weren’t considering of something race profitable or championship profitable. We didn’t get onto the AT1 Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R all yr, so there have been no expectations aside from getting out and doing the perfect we may with the shortage of seat time and health attributable to household commitments. Effectively that rapidly took a flip for the perfect once we got here away from Spherical 1 main the championship.

“Going into Spherical 2, we have been considering the stunning feeling of main a championship akin to this was going to be short-lived because the competitors this yr have been all quick and taking no prisoners. But, with saying this, we discovered ourselves going into the second night time of Spherical 2 nonetheless main the sequence. Solely then did we begin to realise that we simply is perhaps able to win the championship. We have been nonetheless within the mindset that this was all quick lived. Then once more, we went away from the Spherical nonetheless main the championship with solely 9 factors separating us and Chris Dune in 2nd place.

“Chris is an distinctive individual and really proficient rider, so going into the ultimate spherical  was very intense as at this level we have been now hungry to deliver the championship house. The ultimate spherical couldn’t have gone any higher with us profitable all of the F2 races on the Friday night time, then going into Saturday with the mindset of simply be sensible and never have a DNF, we managed to go one higher and safe an outright Pole place in entrance of some actual heavy hitters within the superbike F1 recreation. It was so un-nerving to be on the very entrance for the beginning of the race that I took it a bit too simple on the beginning as the very last thing I wished is to mess issues up from the get-go, and to be trustworthy, my battle was with nobody else aside from that superior dude Chris Dunne. So, all the discipline had permission to be in entrance of me besides Chris. The warfare was formally on. In race one the situations have been just a little sketchy, however we managed to deliver house the win ending in fourth total and 1st within the F2 class.

“Race 2, properly now this was going to be the icing on the cake and I may really feel it in my intestine that this win belongs to the staff and bringing house the win in addition to the championship particularly for the staff and my sponsors is what they deserve for all of the assist and love they offer me. With a brand new moist tyre on the again, that’s precisely what we did. We Introduced house the win in F2 and secured the 2024/25 Summer time Night time Sequence Championship. The sensation was unreal, and I’d not have been capable of be as dominant as I’ve been this yr with out the love and assist from my household and my Crew Matt Tempo & Glenn Jackson and likewise the continued assist we get from our superb, loyal sponsors. Due to you all for making this dream come via.”

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Chris Dunne – Pirelli Limitless F2

“It was nice to get the Summer time Sequence wrapped up with a great consequence. Battling for the highest step from begin to end stored it a really enjoyable championship for me. Mr De Leon introduced an unmatchable tempo to the final spherical and deserved the championship. Very completely satisfied for him. We had some nice instances on and off the observe this yr. Particular because of Evo Racing Suspension for the fixed assist. And my accomplice Justine for all of the arduous work she does on the observe. Additionally an enormous because of the membership and everybody that volunteers there time to present us the chance to race these occasions and all of the photographers who seize the reminiscences for us.”

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Timothy Griffith – Pirelli Limitless F2

“This Summer time Night time Sequence didn’t actually go to plan for us sadly. A technical subject in spherical one put us on the again foot, the primary double header was a shambles of pink flags and stoppages which meant our races have been reduce to solely two full races and a pink flagged declared race with no actual alternative to get better factors. Then solely 5 races on the ultimate double header with messy climate on the Saturday simply made it worse.

“I missed out by just a few hundred meters on a win attributable to a final lap pink flag on race one on Saturday night time after I managed to sneak cross on the final lap solely to be thwarted by the depend again. Disappointing outcomes for us this yr however to be honest, we spent basically 10 months off the bike prior so to be virtually 1.5 to 2 sec slower on common this yr was no shock. Nonetheless, the SNS is by far probably the most pleasant hit out now we have on the calendar. Enormous because of my gang within the storage, The Crew Chief (spouse) my Lil Man Zaya, Jase, Mick, Daragh to not point out the Membership and Marshals. Wanting ahead to being higher ready and having a crack with the same old suspects subsequent season, Cheers!”

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Spherical Factors

Remaining Factors Standings

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MOTUL Summer time Night time Sequence hosted by St George MCC