The Empire Kawasaki Team kicked off the Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) with a bang at Redcliffe, QLD for the Opening Rounds across Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, with SX1 star Luke Clout claiming 3rd Overall at Round 1 and 2nd Overall at Round 2. Words: Empire Kawasaki
With confidence high heading into the stadium settings for AUSX, both Clout and the Empire Kawasaki Team knew the Sunshine Coast based rider would excel against his Australian competitors, but the question of competition against the international talent the AUSX attracts each season was the real question mark for Clout.
Answering that question right away, Clout would post qualifying times that would top the leaderboard at multiple times throughout the weekend. With race holeshots, Heat Race victories and multiple laps led across both days of racing, it was clear to see that Clout is a contender for the AUSX SX1 Championship in 2024.
With the double-header format, Luke Clout’s standout ride came with a Final Win on Sunday’s Round 2 and overall points giving him 3rd Overall at Round 1 and 2nd Overall at Round 2. Clout now sits in 3rd position in the SX1 Championship, just five points shy of the Red Plate.
“What a weekend for the Team and I at Redcliffe. I felt comfortable from the minute I hit the track and even with a few crashes in qualifying I was able to stay calm and consistent to deliver when it mattered most. Winning in the Final against the Americans on home soil was incredible and I’m so excited for the rest of the Championship,” commented Clout.
In the SX2 Class, Reid Taylor also impressed at the Opening Round of AUSX adding another podium to the Empire Kawasaki tally with 2nd Overall at Round 1. Taylor would post consistent Final scores across the double header inside the Top five, with consistency paying off in the highly competitive and dramatic SX2 Class Finals.
Unfortunately for Taylor at Round 2, a crash in his Heat Race led to a trip to the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) and with poor gate picks for the mains, Taylor would eventually finish out Round 2 with 12th Overall.
“It was a mixed weekend for us here at Redcliffe. Saturday night I rode great and put myself in great positions to stay out of the carnage and get the job done with 2nd Overall and my first career Supercross podium. I felt like I rode exactly the same at Round 2, but with a few crashes and bad starts due to my gate pick, there wasn’t much I could do. We will learn and be ready for Round 3 and more podiums,” said Taylor.
Brett Metcalfe and the GO24 Kawasaki supported Team posted a consistent start to their AUSX Championship, with the veteran rider beginning the end of his 24 in 24 retirement tour. Metty was solid as always and with his Supercross experience shining through, he would ride to 6th Overall at Round one and 8th Overall at Round 2, solidifying 9th in the AUSX SX1 Championship leaving Redcliffe.
“Team Green” riders Mitch Norris and Zhane Mackintosh were both able to put their Kawasaki KX250s in the SX2 Main Events by Qualifying at different times across the weekend’s racing.
The AUSX Championship now heads to Wollongong and WIN Stadium for Round 3 on Saturday 3rd November.
Image: AUSX
