Kiwi motocross ace Ben Townley raced at Glen Helen, in California, yesterday, the same track that will host the USGP in a couple of weeks.

The man from the Bay of Plenty had this to report:

“It was a good chance for me to get in a race simulation in before next weekend. They we’re running the same layout that will be in for the USGP in a couple of weeks.  I liked the layout and it has a couple of new sections in it and a new big double step up which is pretty stupid.

“First moto I got a decent jump – it was a concrete start so I was looking for just a decent start and I ended up getting the hole-shot!

“I found my groove quite fast and tried to settle in.  I laid down good consistent lap times for most of the moto and got out to a 20 sec lead until I had to pull in after I got a flat tyre. My mechanic Clint changed the rear wheel and I got back to it for the last few laps.

“Moto two I didn’t quite get the start.  I was third after turn one and quickly got into the lead after turn two. Once I got in the lead I tried to put in some hot laps and get away, at about the 25 min mark I backed it down after making a couple of mistakes.

“It was a really good day. We learned a few things and I was really happy to get behind a gate again and do some racing.

“I’ve got a few days testing now before we head up to Hangtown (for the first round of the AMA motocross championships, this weekend).”

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com