Brno, Czech Republic
Irish Red Bull Rookie, 14 year old Josh Elliott from County Fermanagh, took part in race one of a double header last weekend today at Brno in the Czech Republic.
Dry free practice and wet first qualifying went very well for the youngster on Friday, as he was with the front runners during all of first qualifying recording the 7th best time. Second qualifying dealt a cruel blow to his hopes early in the session after he fell heavily while at maximum speed. He lost traction on the water logged track as he touched the brakes after the start finish straight and as the front wheel folded underneath him, he fell off the side of his KTM 125 machine and then onto the soaking tarmac. He slid in the region of 150 metres in total including tumbling in the gravel trap, but thankfully walked away.
His machine came off worse, barrel rolling with bits flying off it, leaving the mechanics much work to rebuild it for racing.
Missing the most of second qualifying dropped him to 20th place on the grid and left Elliott a lot of work to do.
Conditions for race one on Saturday were wet again and things didn’t get much better for the Ballinamallard lad. His machine wouldn’t pull away cleanly at race start with him last away, and then too much tape on the radiator meant the engine ran hot all race loosing power. Despite this and the dent to his confidence Elliott made some places and struggled on to finish 17th, but was not happy after the race.
“I don’t know what I have to do to get a decent break,” the exasperated Elliott stated. “This is a super track and I felt confidant after first qualifying, but then my weekend went to pieces with the crash. I didn’t do anything different than the lap before, but felt a wee bump as I braked. I was so unlucky as that must have been enough to lock the wheel. The mechanics did well to fix the bike, but it was overheating and off song today and I just couldn’t push. I have one race left tomorrow so I’ll try by best and just wish for things to go my way.”
Race two and the final Red Bull Rookies Cup round takes place after the Moto GP race on Sunday, and with the weather forecast suggesting a better day, the young Irish entry could do with a bright finish.
Race Two
Irish rookie Josh Elliott salvaged a point in the final race of the 2008 Rookies cup at Brno on Sunday afternoon.
In dry conditions he started from 17th on the grid but suffered the same as yesterday with poor drive off the line. He was last away but quickly got into his rythym and caught a group of six riders from 10th to 15th place. Elliott managed to make it up to 12th before his rear tyre went off around mid race and slowly dropped off the pace finishing 15th.
He caught the group from quite a way back and looked to have better pace for him to target 10th position. It was not to be unfortunately and on inspecting his destroyed rear tyre after the race he was obviously disappointed, "It would have been nice to finish the rookies with a top ten, but I just couldn't push on from half distance. I had to get it home safe after the tyre lost grip. Despite many disappointments the rookies year has been a fantastic experience. Thanks to everyone that made it possible."
The Fermanagh lad will now return from Brno and line up some domestic races for the end of the season and will then look forward to the winter break.