MX2 front-runner Rhys Budd has spearheaded the Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team’s efforts at round two at Horsham for the 2024 Australian ProMX Championship, racing to a solid second overall in only his second national appearance with the team.
Budd quickly put himself in the conversation early on riding the Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 250, qualifying third-fastest early this morning and just half a second from the top spot on the time-sheets.
In the opening MX2 moto, Budd was quick off the gate and positioned himself third in the early laps, which is where he would eventually take the chequered flag. He was seventh in the second and final encounter, which secured him a podium result in P2 overall.
Budd’s results elevated him to fourth in the MX2 championship standings following the opening two rounds of the season.
Rookie teammate Jack Mather struggled in MX2 qualifying and could only post the 15th-fastest time, before a bent brake disc after making contact with another rider in the opening laps of the first moto saw his race come to a premature end.
Desperate to end his day on a positive note, Mather battled to eighth position and was credited 14th overall. After Horsham, he is now ranked 11th in the standings.
MX1 saw former national champion Todd Waters experience a tougher day at the office. After initially qualifying sixth-fastest on his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 450, Waters finished the Top 10 Pole Shootout with the ninth-quickest lap-time.
It proved to be a sign of things to come, as he would go on to finish his day with an 8-9 scorecard and ninth overall. Team owner/rider Waters currently holds down ninth in the championship, with the series next heading to Gillman, South Australia, on May 5.
Rhys Budd: “Overall, it was a fairly positive day here. My 3-7 moto scores were good enough for second overall and obviously I’m pretty surprised by that – I guess I was more consistent than other people. We were on the box, which is our goal, and I’m happy to walk away from the day with some good points and some hardware. I can’t complain too much, but I want to be more towards the front at the next round in both motos.”
Jack Mather: “It was a really tough day for us today. I had a few dramas in qualifying and in race one I unfortunately hit another rider and ended my race early with a bent brake disc. I tried to bounce back for race two, but unfortunately my speed late in the race wasn’t there. I tried my best and finished eighth, so that’s all we had at this round. I’ll look forward to be better at the next one.”
Todd Waters: “It was a super-difficult for me personally. I couldn’t get a feeling and gnarly hardpack tracks aren’t really my game. I cleaned up my starts, but I’m super-disappointed that I fell backwards during both races. I’ve got a lot of work to do, so we’ll keep chipping away. I can’t thank the Raceline Husqvarna Team enough for the work they’ve put in this week. I take my hat off to Rhys, who rode unreal, and we’ll keep working and try and get ourselves back up where we belong.”
