Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing pilots Cheyne Boyd and Michael Phillips are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to move up the MX Nationals championship order.
The duo, who currently sit fifth and sixth in the highly competitive Pro Open class are currently testing at Coonabarabran's Goanna Tracks Motocross Complex on route to the fifth round of the series at Toowoomba's Echo Valley Raceway this weekend.
With the Coonabarabran complex set to host the sixth round of the series, the team took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the considerably longer racetrack, as well as test with the two riders in preparation for Echo Valley.
"It was great to not only ride but test on the Coonabarabran track," Phillips said. "I can't believe the size of the track. Our lap times are exceeding three minutes.
After an impressive third place finish at Murray Bridge, Phillips was confirmed to stay on and contest the remainder of the season with the Honda factory team.
"This year has been something of a whirlwind," Phillips continued. "I was recruited at the 11th hour to fill in for Todd (Waters) so I really have just been racing a round at a time.
"Now it has been confirmed that I will race the entire season I felt it was important to stay between rounds to continue preparing for the remainder of the championship.
"I am looking forward to this weekend I like the natural undulation of Echo Valley and feel that I well prepared for the rutted track," he concluded.
Teammate Cheyne Boyd has spent some time training on a Honda CRF250 in order to try and help improve his corner speed.
"I think as a team we are strong and while I'm feeling comfortable with where we are at, there are a few areas I feel I need to work on such as corner speed.
"This week I have mixed things up a bit and done some training on the CRF250.
"Red Clay tracks are my favourite so I am hoping Toowoomba will be a good round, I'm really looking forward to it," Boyd added.
While the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing team is extremely happy with the progression Todd Waters is making since returning to riding two weeks ago he will remain a spectator at this weekends event. An announcement about his return to racing will be made in the coming weeks.
The fifth round of the MX Nationals will be held at Toowoomba's Echo Valley on Sunday 22nd May.
Main Photo: Michael Phillips
Credit: Shayne Rice - Rice Photography
