At each 2016 AMA Pro Motocross National this summer we're going to bring you the storyplot, in photos, of how some racing enthusiasts did on their raceday. If you didn't want to attend the event, and your racer did not get much airtime on the tv coverage, don't worry, we were presently there for you; and this is your chance to see their story. We'll bring you different riders from each event and share them with you throughout the week, so be sure to check back. For this photo gallery, we bring you Austin Forkner who went 5-2 for 3rd overall at Southwick.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin Forkner got to ride the particular Southwick track on press time and figure out the layout of the track. This was the first time that Austin got to experience the sand conditions on Southwick. Austin said that he understood he had to turn his fastest being approved time in the first session because the track would get rougher and rougher as the day went on. Austin was able to change his fastest time of 2: 04. 970 on his last lap of session one to secure the quickest time in group one. Austin said that whenever he first got on the track for the timed session the bike felt rigid and a little too stiff so with a little more then two minutes left in the session this individual went into the mechanics’ lane plus softened the suspension up for one more attempt to improve on his 6th location time. Well, it worked, because Austin was the only 250 driver to get in the 2: 04’s within the timed sessions.
Photography by Rob Koy
In the second time practice Austin said he would treat it as practice session since he knew his time in the first round would endure. Austin was just about four 2nd slower on the rougher track in session two with a time of two: 08. 924. The only rider faster then Austin in session two was his teammate Adam Cianciarulo. Austin would go into the first moto with the first gate pick.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin getting themself in the zone before the parade lap in moto one. Austin stated that he came into the season with the goal of top ten finishes and has recently changed his goal to top five finishes for the rest of the season.
Photography by Rob Koy
Going into the first turn Austin tx is starting to get pinched away by Jimmy Decotis and Shane McElrath. Austin said that his begin was not bad in the first moto but he has learned after six rounds that there are many good starters in the pro 250 class. This individual said that in the amateur class which he would only have about three guys which he had to worry about off the starts; today he thinks there are at least ten good starters he has to deal with for the holeshot.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin got a top ten begin in the first moto and quickly started to make passes to get into 6th place after the first lap. Austin after that got into a battle with Mitchell Oldenburg that would last for about fourteen moments where they went back and on a couple times until Austin produced the pass stick a little beyond the halfway point of the race. Austin was able to pull a little gap on Mitchell and settle into 5th place till the end of the moto. Here Austin takes the outside line around the left 90 degree turn on the top section of the track by the VIP tents. Most of the riders took this line to keep up the speed going into the long straight out of this turn.
Photography simply by Rob Koy
Austin going outside on the turn before the first turn. The inside was good earlier within the day but the outside berm had been better at the end of moto one and for the rest of the day.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin said that he went back to the original suspension settings for the 2nd moto as he knew the monitor would be at its roughest within the second moto. Austin got a far greater start in moto two and is at third place after the first panel. Austin said that the biggest thing he's learned in his rookie year up to now was the intensity that the riders sprint with in the first half of the race. Austin said that he has been working on his sprint speed throughout the week with Robbie Reynard which he has been able to practice at race speed with the other riders during the week. As an amateur he said that he would do his motos simply by himself with nobody to push him. Here Austin tries to remain low over the jump by the United states Legion.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin sets up for the pass on Shane McElrath on lap two of the second moto for second place. Austin tx said that he wanted to see if he could keep the pace of Cooper Webb, who was in the lead, and see in case he could catch him and create a pass.
Photography by Rob Koy
Austin tx said that he wanted to send this for the first half of the second moto and pass Cooper Webb. This individual felt that he could match Cooper’s pace and he wanted to make a give him. Austin scrubbed it much lower over the single before the sweeper from the pits in an attempt to pass Cooper.
Photography simply by Rob Koy
Austin lands hard off the single jump, but gets the inside line on Cooper up the hill before the sweeper. But Cooper had the preferred line and was able to hold off the charge from the rookie. Austin said that he wanted to see how long he could go at Copper’s pace, but said he knew he had to play it smart instead of crash himself out of a podium.
Pictures by Rob Koy
Austin Forkner went 5-2 for 3rd overall at Southwick for his initial pro overall podium. Austin now thinks he belongs up in the top five with these guys and his confidence is building every week to the point were he thinks he might be able to pull off a win before the end of the season. He said numerous periods that he’s a top five guy and if he keeps learning how to sprint with the intensity at the beginning of the race and be smooth then his new goals will be met.