Joel's RD3 first podium!

**J_Buell** · 19th July 2010, 16:24

Well seeing as I got some good results on the weekend I thought I’d take the chance to give my sponsors some recognition.

For those I haven’t been able to introduce myself to I’m Joel Dykstra, riding the Green and Silver KR 150 #90, this is my first year riding a bike in any sort of competition and round 3 makes it my fourth time out on track with just the one track day under my belt.

Qualifying
Arrived a little late to the dummy grid meaning I spent the first few laps passing people and dodging fallen bikes (Mr. Croft) then put my head down and put in a few fast laps with my last lap putting me second on the grid.

Race 1
Got an excellent start and was running second into turn 1, man those 250’s have good grunt of the line. Managed to hold 2nd until Higgins where Daniel passed me like I was standing still. I kept pushing to catch the 250 in front but had no success. So second in class for Race 1, my first podium result ever!!!!!!!!!!!

Race 2
I had a shocking start with Daniel and Sam Croft both well ahead into the first corner. I tried hard throughout the race putting in several consistent laps and slowly reeled Sam back in. On the last lap I pulled alongside Sam under brakes into turn 1 and assumed I had the position but somehow he managed to just scrape in front of me on the corner exit and pull a slight lead, I chased hard for the remainder of the lap and knew I could take him into Dunlop. Again I out braked him but somehow he pulled alongside of me again (he must have awesome mid corner speed). It was a straight drag race to the line which I won by only 0.2s giving me second in class.

Race 3
A good start saw me arrive in second place to the first corner, again beaten by that dam 250. However lack of commitment through the esses saw me drop to 4th in class just behind Tyler Firn. I tried my best to catch him throughout the race but was unable to match his pace finishing 4th in class. In hindsight I was probably trying too hard and failed to remain smooth which is so critical in this class.

My results gave me a 2nd place for the overall Rd which I’m extremely happy with.

I’d like to thank my sponsors Action Accessories, and EJ Engineering and I look forward to Round 4, now I just have to remember where the long track goes.