photo: Mick Innes SMX Photography

Last Saturday evening saw the opening round of the 2009 Monster Energy Super X Series at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

 

The Seven Axis Motorsport crew arrived with riders Mike Addison ( Pro Open ) and Wade Thompson ( Pro Lites ) carrying their hopes for the 2009 series.

 

With the track in near perfect condition Thompson lined up for race 1 of the double header pro lite final. After a very mediocre start being 16th into the first corner Thomspon had his work cut out to make up ground in the 10 lap race. He made his way through to 11th before a mistake cost him dearly before slipping back to finish in 19th. Race 2 was a non event for Thompson as he came together with fellow SA rider Ricky Girdwood in the first corner. Thompson finished round 1 in 20th overall.

 

"It wasnt my best performance by all means but i am determined to put head down and focus on Geelong next weekend and get back up in the top 8 where I know I belong" said Thompson.

 

The Pro Opens was a much more positive affair for Pro Open rider Mike Addison. Michael came away inside the top 10 by the end of the nights racing. In Race 1 he began mid pack but quickly made his way up to 8th which he held onto until Reed passed him at the halfway mark. Addison continued to ride strongly and held his own finishing in 9th place. Race 2 started in similar fashion to race 1 but this time Addison held on to the front pack for the first 5 laps. He moved passed Haworth into 8th on lap 7 and finshed the race stronlgy hunting down McCoy and Anderson in the fnal 3 laps. Addison placed 9th overall.

 

Addison says " It was great to be able to finish the first round inside the top 10. I am happy to come through the first round unscathed and points on the board. Now we can head into geelong with real confidence knowing we can run with the lead pack. I obviously need to work harder on my starts which I will be doing this week during practice. I have to thank the team at Axis for putting together a great bike for me in an ultra short time frame and AXO apparell for supporting the team."

 

Team Seven Axis Motorpsorts Crew Chief Andrew Hopson says " We can take a few positives away from the weekend - the bikes handled well, the boys came through the round with no injuries and points on the board. Sure Wade was a little off the pace for Round 1, but we've spoken and he knows what he has to do to be ready for Round 2. Mick acheived his goal of top 10 for Round 1 and is ready to move forward"

 

The team now has less than a week to get things fine tuned for round 2 in Geelong next Saturday.