Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Forkner Endures Tough Race to Finish In The Top-Five
. By Bikeland Staff
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner proved his resolve for chasing his first career championship inside The Dome at America’s Center after overcoming a fall and a mishap with a lapper to finish fifth. He now sits eight points back with an interesting East/West Showdown next weekend in Indianapolis. Teammate Martin Davalos was quick throughout the day, but went down during the main event and was scored 22nd.
Two-time winner Forker has been able to rise above the pressure and win races in only his second season racing supercross. He was able to get a great jump on the start and powered through to the lead on the opening lap. Around halfway through the race as the lead riders got into lappers, the clear track was suddenly crowded and a small mistake from Forkner cost him a few positions as he went back to fifth. He quickly was making up time, but another lapper forced him to fall and stall the bike. Undeterred and knowing each position counted, Forkner pushed as much as he could to make it back into the top-five. With four rounds remaining and two East/West showdowns coming up, Forkner is confident he can make up the points lost in St. Louis.
“It was a frustrating night for sure, but it’s one thing to dwell on what could have been and another to turn our focus to a great opportunity next weekend with the showdown,” said Forkner. “I made mistakes and then I also was involved in mistakes not my own doing, but everyone has their bad days and I’m hoping this is the worst I will encounter as we keep pushing forward toward the end goal.”
Davalos has had great luck in the past with rides in St. Louis and it was starting out to be a great night after taking second in his heat race. Like his teammate, he got out to a great start and settled into fourth early. As he was trying to push his way forward, Davalos went down and was forced to retire early, being credited 22nd. He will take the week to evaluate and see if he’ll be able to line up on Saturday in Indianapolis.
To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com. Don’t forget to follow the Pro Circuit race team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @pcraceteam.
250SX Class Main Event Results - St. Louis, Missouri
Zach Osborne (Husqvarna)
Jeremy Martin (Honda)
Jordon Smith (KTM)
Kyle Peters (Suzuki)
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki)
Brandon Hartranft (Yamaha)
Luke Renzland (Yamaha)
Michael Mosiman (Husqvarna)
Sean Cantrell (KTM)
Thomas Ramette (KTM)
22. Martin Davalos (Kawasaki)
250SX Class Eastern Region Points Standings
Zach Osborne (Husqvarna), 115
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki), 107
Jordon Smith (KTM), 102
Jeremy Martin (Honda), 93
Luke Renzland (Yamaha), 71
Kyle Peters (Suzuki), 70
RJ Hampshire (Honda), 57
Sean Cantrell (KTM), 56
Colt Nichols (Yamaha), 54
Martin Davalos (Kawasaki), 53
About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Products, Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages and everything in between.
Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 30 AMA championships and more than 250 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.