Cairns Coconut Resort Honda Racing Team have officially launched their 2015 season with a challenging debut at the Australian Enduro-x Championships inside the Archerfield Speedway complex in Queensland over the weekend.
The day marked more than one milestone for the teams debut. An all new look for the transporter, bike and setup. As well as the Smith Brothers first ever Enduro-x event. The day started well for the team as practice began, the track was technically challenging as expected.
With minimal experience for Enduro-x setup, the likeable brothers from Condobolin struggled with bike setup which lead to a disappointing result in the opening two heats which lead to both Todd and Jake unfortunately not qualifying for the night program.
"The day started really well, it was awesome to arrive at the Archerfield Speedway and set everything up for the first time." Jake Smith said. "First practice went ok, I just wanted to get a feel for the genre of racing and circulate.
"Second practice I felt really good, I was sitting in 9th place at the end of the second practice, which I was pretty pumped about. The first heat was going ok before making a few mistakes and falling backward from there which I learnt a lot from.
"The second heat I was racing in 5th position running a comfortable pace before crashing over the handle bars, it just goes to show how quickly this genre of racing can change everything in a split second."
"Enduro-x is such a different style of racing, it's truly the complete opposite to what we are used to racing in the desert. The team will head home and make some positive changes to the bikes with suspension, defiantly install a rekcluse clutch system and test a few different tyres."
Like his brother, Todd Smith will take the positives from the opening round and work towards a better result at round two.
"It was great to arrive at round 1 of the Enduro-x Championships with an all new look and feel for Jake and I." Todd Smith added. "I struggled all day with bike setup, arm pump and a few other issues but there really isn't any excuses.
"It's such a different and challanging style of racing, one that is a lot different to going wide open in the desert. I felt great while racing but my results clearly didn't showcase it. I'm disappointed for Jake and I and would have loved to put on a better showing for myself and everyone involved at the Cairns Coconut Resort Honda Racing Team.
"I'm looking forward to round 2 in Sydney."
With Round 2 of the Australian Enduro-x Championships in Sydney fast approaching both Todd and Jake are looking to improve their bikes and results drastically.
Top Image: Jake Smith in action at the opening round of the 2015 InsureMyRide Enduro-X Nationals
Credit: Aaryn Minerds
