The Kawasaki Racing Team was almost at full strength, with only Brent Landman out due to injury. However, KRT fielded three riders including Victorian local Adam Robinson, who rejoined his team mates Toby Price and Paul Broomfield for the first time since the season opener in Sydney.

Adam had received the all clear to compete from his Doctor late Thursday afternoon and although he came into the event with less than perfect preparation, having spent the past three weeks waiting for a cracked bone in his elbow to heal, Adam was elated to be back. “The past few weeks have been so tough, sitting at home instead of being on the bike was killing me – my girlfriend had to put up with me – I was like bear with a sore head! I am so happy to be back on the bike.”

Heats. Young gun Toby Price was the first of the team to sample the inner-city venue’s picture perfect track, laid out on the contrasting green turf. The challenging circuit and the talent-laden heat included series points leader Whale’s Kawasaki’s Daniel Reardon; CDR Yamaha’s Daniel McCoy, and the factory Hondas of Cody Cooper and Jye Harvey.

A poor gate choice saw Price come home in a disappointing 9th place. “I didn’t get the start I wanted and never got up to the speed I feel I can do… “ stated the 16-year-old as he left the track. Robinson’s return to racing was never going to be easy with three weeks off the bike and a lack of strength in his right arm.

Lining up against a heat two field including Factory Suzuki’s Mitch Hoad, KTM’s Ryan Marmont and his Kawasaki team mate Paul Broomfield was a very big ask. Robbo eventually finished 10th after a poor start and had trouble hanging on through the long whoops section of the track. “I am a few seconds off the pace but I felt better the longer I was out there. I’ll get there... “ a determined Robbo said.

 His Team Mate Broomfield completed a familiar third place behind Hoad and Marmont. Semi-finals. Price’s Semi line up was the same as his heat, but without McCoy who had transferred direct to the final courtesy of his heat win. A much improved start and competitive lap times put Toby into his first final as he crossed the line in fifth place. “That was better. I had a bit of a gap to fourth and could put in some good laps and closed up. I worked out some lines, it’s great to know I am in the final!,” Toby explained to his Father (and mechanic) John.

Broomy and Adam fronted the start of the second Semi confident that they would make the top five and transfer to the main. With heat winner Hoad already transferred the field was mostly made up of privateers. Broomy predictably took control from fast starting local Kawasaki privateer Cam Sinclair and KTM factory star Ryan Marmont. Robinson looked set to qualify in fourth until Honda rider Bronte Holland lost control of his machine and took out Robinson’s bike mid-air with one lap to go. Robbo was naturally furious, having lost a certain spot in the Final and now having to do it all again in the Last Chance Qualifier. 

In the mean time, Broomy marched home for his fourth consecutive Semi win of the year with Kawasaki mounted Sinclair second and Marmont third. “Sinc’s rode really well. I had to work hard to get around his KX-F, I had my mechanic Mick fit a MH2 Starcross Michelin on the rear and it was hooking up perfectly out of the turns. I feel great, the bike’s great and the track is the best one of the year so far, the final’s going to be fun!” he told the on-track presenter during his podium interview.

Last Chance Qualifier. Robinson fronted the start line for the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) with second last pick of the gate and chose to start on the extreme outside. “I am going to show these boys how to get off the line. I want to get a good start from out here!” said Robbo. He did just that pulling clear and moving across to the inside line and the hotshot. The factory KX-F led the field, closely followed by privateer Kawasaki rider Jay Johnson, until a fall and a stalled motor relegated him to last place on lap two. With the LCQ being just a four-lap race, the final was out of reach for Robbo and his night was over. The LCQ was eventually won by Johnson followed by Bronte Holland and Daniel Reynolds in the final transfer spot.

The Final. Marmont took the holeshot from the inside, with Broomy and Price rounding the corner in mid-pack positions. Smart riding and inside lines saw Broomfield move up to third within the first few corners. Frantic race action over the next six laps saw Broomy fight his way into second and then faced several challenges from Cooper, McCoy and Reardon as he set about chasing the leader Marmont.

As the laps counted down Paul pulled clear of the pack and closed in on Marmont who was benefiting from the clear track in front of him and had pulled several seconds on the field. By race end Broomy closed the gap to Marmont but ran out of time to mount a challenge.

Price who was as far back as 14th on lap one ,moved up steadily as the race wore on to finish 9th just behind last weeks winner Daniel Reardon who suffered a couple of falls earlier in the final.

Broomy celebrated his first podium of the year and thanked the efforts of his team and sponsors with the biggest of smiles. “That was great, I finally got to put 15 laps together without making a major mistake or anyone crashing into me.”

Team Kawasaki had plenty to celebrate as there were four Kawasaki’s in the top ten of the Pro Lites final with Jay Johnson’s tenth place finish extending Kawasaki’s lead in the manufacturer’s championship.

The Team’s next event is the Adelaide Supercross Nationals Round Five on Saturday 21st February at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Catch all the action from Round Four of the SX nationals on Channel 10, Sunday 15th Feb at 1:00pm

Late Braking News

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