Racing

Austin Forkner's Day At Ironman Motocross | MX 2016

Austin Forkner went 1-3 for 1st overall at round 12.

August 31, 2016

Rookie Austin Forkner went 1-3 for 1st overall at Ironman Raceway for his first Professional Motocross overall win. Austin has been improving every week and has shown the speed and consistency to battle for an overall win. We will take you through Austin's day at Ironman from the first lap of practice to the podium at the end of the day.

Austin got out in front of everyone in the first practice to stay as clean as possible and have a clear track to turn some fast laps. Austin turned a fast lap of 2:31.524 on lap 4 for the 2nd fastest time of the session. The only change the team made all day was a cut tire for practice and the first moto. He then went to a normal tire for moto 2.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin came out in the second timed practice again got the jump on everyone. Austin said that his mechanic told him to get out first so he could have a clear track, not get roosted on the first lap and concentrate on turning a fast lap. It must have worked since Austin turned the fastest lap of the session with a lap of 2:35.460 on his 4th lap. Here, Austin took the inside line around the tree turn before the finish line. The track was at it’s worst in the second practice, and after the practices were over the track crew scraped the track.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin got the holeshot in moto 1 and was able to pull away from the pack. Austin said that earlier in the year his starts were very inconsistent. In the last quarter of the series, he has become much more consistent with his starts and now believes he belongs on the podium at every race.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin takes the inside hump in the woods section in the back of the Ironman track. Austin said that he had a bad habit of looking back from the first lap to see were everyone was. Once Austin got into the lead he told himself to not look back and concentrate on the track ahead. Austin didn’t look back until the 20-minute mark when his pit board told him he had a +23 second lead on second place.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin stayed clean while up front in moto 1. Austin was able to attack the track, take his own lines and improve on his lead at the end of the moto. Austin said that couldn’t believe that he was +28 seconds on 2nd place by the end of the moto.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin's Pro Circuit Kawasaki had no problem hitting the huge uphill triple at Ironman Raceway.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin got off to another good start in moto 2 but was outran into the first turn by Aaron Plessinger. Austin was able to get by Aaron, after the #23 made a mistake on lap one before the finish line. Here, Austin tries to pull away from Aaron a couple laps into the moto.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin felt the pressure of Aaron for almost 20 minutes into the moto. Austin had to deal with a few lappers, and Aaron.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin made a small mistake over the finish line jump and fell at the 20-minute mark. Austin said that the jump was blind and he had to guess on what rut to take. The ruts on the landing were changing every lap since they were so soft. Austin landed in a cross rut and the front end tucked on him. He said the bars were a little tweaked but it was okay to continue without stopping in the pits. Austin was passed by Plessinger for 1st place and a lap later Cooper Webb also passed Austin.Photo by Rob Koy

Austin went 1-3 for 1st overall at Ironman Raceway. Austin said that he met all his goals for his rookie debut into the Pro Motocross Series, and that winning an overall was beyond his goals. Austin was able to podium the last four races and finished the 250 outdoor season in 4th place. He was awarded the 250 Rookie of the Year award on Sunday at the Lucas Oil Awards Banquet. Austin's plans in the off season include the MXGP races in Charlotte, NC and Glen Helen, CA the following week. Austin said that he is looking to take this momentum into the GP's and wants to beat Herlings. Austin will then prepare for the Monster Cup and Supercross on the new 2017 Kawasaki KX250F.Photo by Rob Koy