15 Nov 2010

Serco Yamaha’s Ford Dale bounced back into form at round four of the Monster Energy Super X championship with a fifth placing in the Pro Lites division over the weekend.

Dale put an emotional week behind him to start things off on a positive note posting the fastest qualifying time in the afternoon sessions and a comfortable second place in his heat race to be well placed as the Pro Lites class faced the triple challenge on the North Harbour Stadium track.

Dale continued his momentum into the opening two finals, taking a fifth in moto win and then an emphatic wire to wire win in race two. But a flat rear tyre in the final moto caused by a construction screw on the track ruined his chances of a podium position on the night.

It was a bitter ending for the likable Queenslander who raced and performed as well as any racer on the night. Still, his fifth pace was his best result of the series so far and the moto win was a real confidence builder as the series heads into the final three rounds.

The fifth place finish now moves Ford into eighth place in the Pro Lites points chase and he appears to be hitting form at the tail end of the series and expects a big finish to 2010.

“I rode pretty well and was in a good position going into the last moto but the flat tyre really cost me. It was strange because the rear of the bike felt fine in some sections of the track, but in others I had no control and crashed twice,” explains Dale.

“But, I proved to myself that I belong up the front and I can win races. Next week in Dunedin I’m going to combine my speed with consistency every moto and ensure I get on the podium. My team and I work too hard not to be up there,” he finishes determinedly.

The Serco Yamaha team returns to Australia for a few days before heading back to Dunedin in New Zealand to contest round five of the championship.

For more information on Super X, www.superx.com.au or for a full list of results, www.computime.com.au

Round Four Results- Auckland
Pro Lites – Triple Challenge

Championship Standings- After Round Four
1st PJ Larsen – 210
2nd Matt Moss – 201
3rd Ryan Marmont – 176
4th Cody Mackie – 136
5th Lawson Bopping – 130
6th Steven Clarke – 111
7th Josh Cachia – 110
8th Ford Dale – 105
9th Luke Styke – 103
10th Robbie Marshall - 102