Feb. 4th Round #5 Anaheim 2 BTOSports’ Albertson races to main event via LCQ
Photo Credit: Chris “Doc” Weedon
BTOSPORTS Race Report:
Round #5 would be the 3rd Supercross in the Los Angeles region and the 2nd at Anaheim Stadium before the race moves to San Diego next weekend. Butler Brothers MX would add Matt Goerke to their BTOSports lineup to fill in the for injured #26 Michael Byrne. Goerke had been racing supercross overseas, and recently returned stateside, so he was ready to go!The “Burner” did make his first appearance at a SX this year to sign autographs for fans.
Afternoon qualifying for the FMF/ FLY RACING riders would place #87 Goerke in 17th, Albertson 21st, and Thomas in 25th. They all would be going to the night show which takes the Top 40 qualifiers.
All three PALMETTO SUZUKIS would end up in the 2nd heat. 9 racers transfer directly to the 20 rider main event. JT Money and Goerke had a good jump off the gate. Goerke looked in position to possibly grab the holeshot but momentarily got caught on a tuff block on the very inside which put him side by side with Brayton down the first section going for 7th spot. The #66 of Thomas would come out clean from the outside and be in 5th down the first rythym section. Meanwhile Albertson got hung up, and was in 18th.
Heat results for BTO: 11th Goerke, 12th Thomas, 13th Albertson
LCQ: Only the two top finishers from the LCQ go to main event. That meant in an ideal situation that BTO still could get those two spots for the night’s main event. The only problem was “lucky #7″ James Stewart had crashed in his heat race, and would be in the LCQ. To be realistic, that meant only one BTO rider could make the main barring another big Stewart error. It is racing an anything can happen though. “JT Money” and “Top Jimmy” both got a good jump off the gate with their JGR MODS Suzukis. JT taking his outside line and Albertson tucking the inside bale come head down the rythym section side by side holding the first two spots. JT noses into a jump and loses a spot to Kiniry and Mackie with Stewart just behind him going into turn two. Albertson would now be out front with the lead, although Stewart would make a pass shortly therafter. Albertson would hold 2nd position to the checkers and make his way into the main event along with Stewart. Thomas would finish 7th, and Goerke 17th.
BTO’s Main Event: Jimmy would have last gate pick an be all the way on the outside. He would start in 18th position and Short and hansen would go down almost immediately moving him into 16th. Jimmy would pick up a couple spots and move into 14th for a short while. During the race he overjump a triple and put his recuperating shoulder instantly back in pain. He slowed his pace for a few laps knowing that a position or two was not worth causing further injury. 18th would be #48′s overall finish on the evening and place him 21st in the series after 5 rounds.
Round #6 San Diego Feb. 11th: BTOSports will be hosting a “Party in the Pits” starting at 12:30 pm with Free Food and Prizes! Click on the above link for more info.
Photo Credits: Doc Weedon……………….Brown Dog Wilson Photography(Pretty girls of SX)
