News 15 Jul 2018

Ranch MX double for Ferris in MX Nationals thriller

Clout and Long complete round eight podium with race victories.

Image: Foremost Media.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team’s Dean Ferris has narrowly sealed a double victory at rounds seven and eight of the Pirelli MX Nationals hosted by Ranch MX in New South Wales.

A breakout performance from Dylan Long (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) saw him take off from a hole-shot to capture the MX1 moto two victory. Long got out front from the outset ahead of reigning champion teammate Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) and extended his advantage from there to 4.513s by race’s end.

Behind him, Ferris rode a calculated race to second, as Luke Clout (KTM Motocross Racing Team) took third. The field was reasonably wide-spread for a 20-minute moto, as Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing) crossed the line fourth, from New Zealand import Rhys Carter (Complete Parts Kawasaki Racing), who replicated his result from race one.

Positions six through 10 were filled by Mitch Evans (Raceline Pirelli KTM), Corey James (KSF Ecstar Suzuki), Callum Norton (Penrite Honda Racing) and Joel Wightman (Honda Genuine Ride Red). Overall for round seven, Ferris continued his perfect season atop the round podium, from Long and Metcalfe.

The opening premier class race of round eight was once again led from start to finish by Long, in a continuation of his form from earlier today. Long got out front early, despite an added challenge from teammate Ferris, and remained composed from there to win by 1.227s from teammate Ferris.

Behind them Metcalfe managed to finish third, turning the tables on Clout this afternoon, who was fourth. Next came Evans in fifth, followed by Ward, Carter, Norton, James and Lachlan Davis (Honda Genuine Ride Red).

The final MX1 moto of the weekend contested in dry, hard-pack track conditions, resulted in another new race winner as lone factory KTM racer of today Clout took full advantage of a hole-shot to win on his 450 SX-F.

Clout won the fourth outing by 1.063s following a late charge by Ferris, whose second was enough for him to clinch the overall via another consistent effort. The second eight-lap encounter in succession, behind Clout and Ferris came rookie star Evans, with Carter continuing his upswing for fourth.

After running second through much of the moto, Long was eventually shuffled down the order to fifth, followed across the line by Metcalfe, Ward, James, Wightman and Davis.

Overall for round eight it was Ferris the winner thanks to his 2-2 finishes, edging Clout by a point, with Long salvaging third this afternoon. The penultimate round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 5 August at Gladstone in Queensland.

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