US Supercross Lites West Series: 6th round
By TMX Archives on 10th Feb 08
MDK KTM Team riders earned three top ten finishes over the weekend at the sixth round of the AMA Supercross Series.
MDK KTM Lites Team rider Billy Laninovich had a spell of bad luck when hesuffered a last place start in his heat which set him back from qualifyingdirectly from the heat to the main. He turned up later in the LCQ where hefinished in the top four to qualify into the main program.
His teammate, Justin Brayton, carried the same luck into his heat when hecame around the first corner in 15th. However, he plowed through riders and wasable to work his way into 6th place by the 6th lap sending him and his KTMmachine into the main event.
Both MDK KTM Lites riders got a good jump when the gate dropped for the LitesMain Event. However, Brayton got squeezed off as they neared the first turnpushing him back to 15th. Laninovich looked like he might break into the top tenuntil another rider forced him off of the track sending him into 19th positionas he completed the first turn. Both riders rode strong and merged through thepack. By lap 3 Brayton had moved into 7th place. Laninovich had passed fourriders and was now in 15th. The crowd stood on their feet as the battleprogressed among the riders inside the top ten. Throughout the race Braytonbattled with Dungey, Metcalfe and Stroupe. At the conclusion of the race Braytonhad mustered his way into the top five finishing fifth for the night. Laninovichworked his way up from last position to 10th.
MDK KTM Lites Team Manager Danny Paladino stated, "Both riders have the speedto be up top but their starts continue to hold them back. We will go home thisweek and focus on those weaknesses to ensure we're on the leader board inHouston."
Results
1 338 Jason Lawrence Yamaha
2 32 Thomas Hahn Kawasaki
3 45 Robert Kiniry Honda
4 123 Brett Metcalfe Kawasaki
5 114 Justin Brayton KTM
10 132 Billy Laninovich KTM
Standings
1 338 Jason Lawrence Yamaha 113
2 28 Ryan Dungey Suzuki 111
3 123 Brett Metcalfe Kawasaki 96
4 32 Thomas Hahn Kawasaki 92
5 51 Justin Stroupe Kawasaki 88
6 114 Justin Brayton KTM 85
12 132 Billy Laninovich KTM 54