Laken Payne took the win in today’s Junior Supersport race – as points leader Marley Mackenzie scored nil points.
Mackenzie’s race began before it had even started as he was wheeled off the grid seconds before the lights changed, his team eventually getting his machine running allowing him to start from pit lane.
Polesitter Luca Hopkins led the first few laps before Tristin Pienaar hit the front. Hopkins was back ahead by the start of Lap Seven and looked to have it all in control – until Payne closed in with two laps to go.
On the final lap, Payne made the move for the front into the chicane. Hopkins tried to come back into the Loop for the final time as the top four bunched up and Lewis Mullen crashed out.
Hopkins ended up dropping back t as Payne took the win, with Pienaar second, Isaac Mark third, Hopkins fourth and Ben Jolliffe fifth.
Ahead of tomorrow’s final race of the season, Mackenzie now has just a 12-point lead over Jolliffe.
1pMobile National Junior Sportbike Championship, Race One result:
1. Laken Payne (LP 41 Racing)
2. Tristin Pienaar (Freetech) +1.939s
3. Isaac Mark (Team SBR powered by DKS Drilling) +3.031s
4. Luca Hopkins (Team SBR powered by DKS Drilling) +3.147s
5. Ben Jolliffe (Dunsley Heat Racing) +3.399s