[20.02.13]

Husqvarna riders dominate Round 1of the Husqvarna Sprint Series

The first Round of the Husqvarna Sprint Series was held at Conondale, near Queensland's Sunshine Coast over the weekend.

The Husqvarna sprint series has become a regular for many AORC riders taking the option to use the event as a competition debut for their 2013 season; the event boasted a strong participant program of riders looking to measure their pre-season speed against this year's contenders.

Consistent rain in South East Queensland left the course a little bit slippery in some sections with some challenging water crossings but for the most part the course was in prime condition for the Husqvarna Sprint Series.

The race was the first outing for new 2013 Husqvarna team members, Matt Phillips and Lachlan Stanford both on Husqvarna TE 310 R's combining with Husqvarna stalwart and team captain Glenn Kearney on his TE 250 R.

Phillips reveled in the conditions to take victory ahead of Glenn Kearney, 2nd and Lachlan Stanford, finishing 3rd to deliver a clean sweep of the podium for the Husqvarna Racing Team.

Matt Phillips commented: "I had a good time on the TE 310 R. I'm really impressed with the bike and the performance.

It is the best capacity bike for Off-road races and to get a win at my first race on a Husqvarna, it is remarkable. To be on a TE 310 R here in Australia will also help me in the Junior Enduro World Championship. I would like to thank Husqvarna, the Paul Feeney Group and the 2013 season sponsors.

Glenn Kearney: Things went really well for the team, finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the first race of the year for 2013. The race started a bit rough as I managed to go the wrong way on the first lap out and lost a fair bit of time, this was due to the course been slightly changed after the sighting lap due to some slippery hills. In saying that I'm glad the organizers went ahead with the round despite the rain, because it turned out to be a good race. The track was great with lots of technical sections, more like tracks in Europe and not the standard Australian track. After a couple of years on the TE 310 I was looking for a change and am really excited to be racing the TE 250 R in 2013.

Thanks to this strong result I am looking forward to the AORC opening round. I'd like to thank the event organizers', Paul Feeney Group, Husqvarna and our 2013 season sponsors.

My personal thanks to Husqvarna race technicians, Joel McMahon and Vic Martin, for their efforts to deliver such competitive race packages for the team.

Lachlan Stanford commented: "It's great to be with such a strong team for 2013. The Husqvarna TE 310 R is such a strong package and I have adapted to it quickly finding some good pace early and I suspect things will only improve from here.

Having Glenn and Matt as team mates will be a huge benefit for me and their experience and advice will be invaluable throughout the season."

Paul Feeney: "Special thanks go to Matt, Glenn and Lachlan for the great effort at the first Round of the Husqvarna Sprint Series and a dream1, 2, 3 result. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsor Link International for their continued support and supply of Motul Oils, Pirelli tyres, RK chains, Ferodo brake pads, JT Sprockets, Arrow exhaust systems, Vortex handlebars, Polisport products and Excel rims. The excellent result has provided a strong base moving into the AORC opening rounds.

Results Round 1

Outright

1 Matt Phillips 53:54:545 Husqvarna
2 Glenn Kearney 54:12.150 Husqvarna
3 Lachlan Stanford 54.52.351 Husqvarna
4 Thomas McCormack 55:16.808 Yamaha
5 Anthony Roberts 56:40.818 Yamaha

THE PAUL FEENEY GROUP

Jörg Hoffmann

National Marketing Manager

T: 07 5508 3001
M: 0424 886 885
E: joerg@husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au