PJ Larsen Crowned
By TMX Archives on 2nd Aug 10
JDR Motorsports/Motorex/KTM rider PJ Larsen claimed the 2010 Rockstar Energy Australian MX Nationals title in the Pro Lites category one round early during Coolum's mega double-header season finale in Queensland on July 24-25, 2010.
Larsen's top finishing scores throughout the season gave him an 84 pointadvantage heading to the final round which allowed him to take the championshipafter Saturday's race and gave him the opportunity to run his new #1 plateduring Sunday's event.
Saturday's race was comprised of three 8-lapmotos. Larsen pulled the holeshot in the first moto and went on to finish 2nd inthe moto. He finished 2nd and 4th respectively in the next two motos to take 3rdoverall for the day and the Championship.
The series win marks afitting finale to what has been a dominant season for Larsen and the JDRMotorsports outfit in its maiden season in cooperation with KTM, the team takingout the title on the weekend using the all-new 2011 KTM 250 SX-F model.
"It means a lot to me to win this title after getting the opportunityto come and do a season in Australia with the JDR Motorsports/Motorex/KTM Team,"commented the 19-year-old, who is originally from South Carolina. "I'm glad thatwe could come out with the championship."
The championship victory is aproud moment for the JDR Motorsports team, winning the title in memory ofteammate Andrew McFarlane, who was tragically killed in at Broadford's thirdround of the title earlier this season.
"The whole team has beenworking really hard because we wanted to win the title for Andrew - the wholegoal was to go and do our best, make Andrew proud, and I think that we did agood job of it," Larsen said, eventually winning with a comfortable margin of 65points.
With the pressures of the championship challenge off hisshoulders for Sunday's round, California-based Larsen endured a difficult end tothe season by his standards, taking out 4th overall with a consistent run of4-5-4 results.
"It definitely wasn't the best weekend for me," hereflected. "I've been resting up an ankle injury that I suffered in the lead-upto Moree, but all in all we made the best of what we had, won the championshipand that's all that matters."
"Winning the Pro Lites title is a firstfor PJ, it's a first for the JDR team and it's a first for the 2011 model KTM250 SX-F," Team Manager Jay Rynenberg commented. "I think PJ really proved apoint to the Americans as well that he's going to be a guy to be reckoned withnext year. It's a credit to his work ethic and a really good day for JDR.
Team JDR Motorex KTM team will now be preparing for the upcoming SuperX Australasian
Supercross Championship, which is scheduled to kick-offat Energy Australia Stadium in Newcastle on October 16, 2010.
As forLarsen, he will return to the United States for the next two months and preparefor the Australian Supercross Series while in California. During his first weekback he plans to relax and watch some racing instead of participate. "I amplanning on going to the X-Games and then to Loretta Lynn's in order to justcatch up with some friends and take a break."
Visitwww.mxnationals.com.au for more information and detailed results on the 2010Rockstar Energy MX Nationals. For further information on KTM Australia log ontowww.ktm.com.au or visit www.jdrmotorsports.com.au to visit the JDR Motorsportsteam on the web.
PRO LITES CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
1. PJLarsen 535pts (JDR Motorex KTM)
2. Kirk Gibbs 470
3. Ford Dale 413
4. Ryan Marmont 387 (JDR Motorex KTM)
5. Lawson Bopping 380
PRO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
1. Jay Marmont 495pts
2.Billy Mackenzie 482
3. Dean Ferris 465
4. Tye Simmonds 431 (JDRMotorex KTM)
5. Cheyne Boyd 416
UNDER 19s CHAMPIONSHIPRESULTS
1. Josh Cachia 540pts (MXRAD Coastal KTM)
2. RossBeaton 483
3. Harley Quinlan 450
4. Dylan Peterson 414
5. MatthewPhillips 363