New Zealander Justin McDonald is confident he has what it takes to challenge for Pro Lites race wins as the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals season progresses.

McDonald made the most of joining the Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda team mid-season at last weekend’s Murray Bridge round in South Australia, finishing third overall in his debut with the Newcastle-based team.

McDonald finished with 3-3-5-9 results on the weekend, a crash in the closing stages of moto four denying him second position overall.

“Today was a solid day for me achieving my first podium result of the series with third overall,” McDonald said. “I enjoyed the track today and felt good running up near the front.

“I feel like I am gaining more speed as the series rolls on and am ready to challenge for race wins for the rest of the series.”

McDonald was thankful for the team and its supporters for giving him the opportunity to join them after the season had already commenced.

“Big thanks to the support from 07 Axis Honda and especially Mick Sinclair from Fox for supplying me with gear so quickly today,” added McDonald.

McDonald now sits eighth in the Lites championship after four of nine rounds.