GARLAND SHOWS HIS PROPPA.COM TEAM-MATES HOW IT’S DONE

The Red Bull Pro Nationals descended on Canada Heights, Kent for the second time this season for round seven of the series. Although the track had been heavily watered in the days leading up to the event it was unusually hard and didn’t cut up like it usually does, instead becoming very slick and one lined.

Silkolene 2 stroke – Saturday
With Noble sitting it out after having his machine stolen it was left to Parker to fly the flag but after a 6th place in the first race Parker slid off early in the second, injuring his knee and took no further part in the day’s proceedings.

Red Bull Pro Nationals – Sunday
Race 1
Although struggling with his knee Parker still managed an impressive 4th place in qualifying with Noble in 9th but in this series the MX2 boys get first gate pick so rather than start from the middle Parker decided to gamble on the very outside gate. It almost got him the holeshot as he blasted round the outside but he couldn’t quite make the corner first. Even so he was still in the top eight as they moved into the wood section, with Noble half a dozen places further back. Both riders set about moving through the field and were making good headway until Parker slid out dropping him well down the order. Both riders pushed as hard as they could but with the track so fast and one line it wasn’t easy to gain places. Noble rode really well to get up to 6th at the flag with Parker back in 9th.

Race 2
Noble made a decent start and was in the top 10 but Parker was near the back after spinning on the concrete start gate. Noble looked really fast and was moving up the order until Banks-Brown binned it right in front of him. Noble hit the DB Racing pilot as he went down but managed to keep it on two wheels himself. It only cost him a few seconds but it had broke his rhythm and it took him a few laps to pick up the pace again. He still managed to push through to 5th at the finish to take 5th overall moving him into joint 2nd place in the championship with 2 rounds remaining.
Parker forced his way through into the top ten by mid race but the gap was a big one to the guys in front. He didn’t give up though and managed to reel in Coutts just before the end to take another 9th place for 10th overall.

Elite Youth Cup
Race 1
After taking pole in qualification Garland had his eyes set on the top step of the podium but it didn’t look likely as he gated outside the top ten. However he was in confident mood and by mid race he was up with the front two. He didn’t hang around, forcing his way past championship leader Harrison and early pace setter Viner, taking the chequered flag by some six seconds.
Race 2
Race two was almost a carbon copy of race one but after closing right in on leader Viner, Garland dropped it and instead of being able to challenge for the lead he had to be content with 2nd after spending the rest of the race fighting off Harrison.
Race 3
This was the best race of the day as Garland first had to fight his way through the field from outside the top ten before passing Viner and chasing down leader Harrison. The pair pulled away from the rest, setting lap times some 4 seconds quicker than their nearest challengers. Confident in his ability to win Garland sat patiently on the back wheel of Harrison before upping his game two laps from home to make the pass and take a well deserved win.
Race 4
Looking for his 3rd win of the weekend, Garland had left himself a lot to do as he sat in 6th with Harrison stretching out in front. But after charging through to 2nd place he put in some blistering laps to close the gap down to just 3 seconds and with just three laps remaining the unlucky Harrison ground to a halt with a blown engine, handing the win the Garland.
Race 5
After crashing on the first lap Garland was left down in 12th and had to fight hard to make it through to 2nd place by the half way stage. After setting the fastest laps of the race he closed in on leader Harrison but as the two of them battled for supremacy Garland made the sensible decision to back off and settle for 2nd place, giving him a superb overall victory and moving him up to 2nd in the championship.