Empire Kawasaki racers toughed out a challenging day in the seventh round of the 2023 Australian ProMX Championship at Queensland Moto Park, as Haruki Yokoyama finished the day 13th overall in the MX2 class, Cambell Williams was 11th in MX3 and Taylah McCutcheon took fifth in MXW.
After a difficult qualifying session where he struggled to get a clean lap, Yokoyama found himself mid-pack off the start of the opening MX2 moto, but armed with his 2023 Kawasaki KX250, he was able to steadily pick off riders and finish in P11.
It was a similar story in the second moto, as after crashing in the third turn, the former All-Japan champion scrambled through the pack to finish a hard-fought 14th position, resulting in 13th overall on the day.
Yokoyama remains 11th in the championship standings, just nine points shy of a top 10 placing.
“It was a rough day today," Yokoyama said. "I didn’t have a clear lap in qualifying, and in the first moto I got a bad start and had to work my way through the pack. Finishing 11th wasn’t the greatest, but I managed to get a few points.
“In the second moto I had another bad start and crashed in the third turn. I ended up 13th after restarting dead last, so while I feel like my riding wasn’t too bad, little dramas have given me bad results.
“I struggled with injuries at the start of the year, but I’m working hard on my speed. I just seem to be having bad luck on race days, which is frustrating.”
In the MX3 class, Cambell Williams and his 2023 Kawasaki KX250 put himself in good positions early in both motos, but struggled with arm-pump and breathing difficulties around the choppy QMP track.
He finished the day with a 11-13 scorecard to complete the day in 11th overall, but still remains fourth in the championship fight.
“I started the day pretty well, and my qualifying time was only two seconds off pole position, which I was happy with that considering I’d never ridden at QMP before," Williams said.
"I went into moto one feeling good, but I didn’t have the best start. I made my way into the top-five, but struggled with arm-pump, comfort, some breathing issues and faded back.
“I didn’t get a great start in the second moto either, but rode my way into the top five, then again got arm-pump and wasn’t able to ride out the rest of the moto like I should.
"Today I didn’t get the results I wanted, but we’ll do some sand-testing this week and work on some breathing exercises so I can make something of the final round next weekend.”
Meanwhile, Empire Kawasaki’s McCutcheon proved she’s one of the best female racers in the country when she led the second MXW race early on before an on-track incident.
After qualifying seventh in her first MXW outing of the year, McCutcheon worked her way through early-race nerves to finish the opening moto in fourth place.
In the second race, the talented Queenslander and her 2023 Kawasaki KX250 made quick passes to find herself in the lead, before coming together with another rider. She remounted to finish fifth and claim fifth overall for the day.
McCutcheon will line up again at Coolum next weekend, where she’ll look to improve on her 13th place in the points standings.
“In the first race I definitely tensed-up and was nervous, so I was probably only running at about 60 per cent of what I’m capable of," McCutcheon recalled.
“In moto two I came out more confident and made all my passes to get into the lead early on. Unfortunately, I came together with another rider and I found myself on the ground.
“It was really unfortunate and completely out of my control, but I showed that I can be up there and I’m stoked to have done that!”
The final round of the 2023 Australian ProMX Championship will be held at Coolum this weekend, between 19-20 August.
2023 ProMX Rd7 Queensland Moto Park, QLD
MX2 results:
1. Nathan Crawford 2. Brodie Connolly 3. Wilson Todd 13. Haruki Yokoyama (Empire Kawasaki)
MX3 results:
1. Jake Cannon 2. Byron Dennis 3. Jack Mather 11. Cambell Williams (Empire Kawasaki)
MXW results:
1. Taylor Thompson 2. Tahlia O’Hare 3. Emma Milesevic 5. Taylah McCutcheon (Empire Kawasaki)
