2/11/2019
Forkner Continues Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasakis Win-Streak in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (February 10, 2019) – Austin Forkner brought the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki win total to four and kept the team’s win-streak alive with a dominating victory inside U.S. Bank Stadium to kick off the Eastern Regional season. With the opening round win, Forkner holds the points lead and will showcase the first red plate of the season next weekend. The team also holds the red plate on the west coast with Adam Cianciarulo claiming the point''s lead last weekend. Teammate Martin Davalos had an up and down night, eventually resulting in 16th in the main event.


At the start of the day, Forkner’s excitement to be back racing could be felt as he rode to the top of the leaderboard in qualifying. He was able to translate that speed to his heat race where he picked up the win.
In the main event, Forkner shot out of the gate and got to the first turn of the long start straight first to pick up the first holeshot of the season. He immediately took advantage of the great start and was extending his lead each lap. When the checkered flag flew, he finished six seconds ahead of the runner-up.
“At the start of the day I was really pumped to be back racing and I was making some silly mistakes in practice,” said Forkner. “We were able to talk and get me a little more under control and I felt great there in the heat race and main (event). I felt good the past few weeks at the test track, but you never know how that will stack up at the first race. I’m so pumped to have the red plate and I will do what I can to keep it.”


The day started out decent for the veteran Davalos, qualifying seventh overall. In the heat race, he got out to a great start behind his teammate. After going down, he remounted quickly and made it through in sixth. When the gate dropped for the main event, Davalos was once again just behind his teammate around the first turn and was holding second throughout the first few laps. On Lap 5, Davalos was hit and went down. He was shuffled back and had trouble getting going again, eventually finishing 16th.
“It was a bummer to be riding well at the start of the main event and then get hit,” said Davalos. “I felt good all day, just had to overcome a few mistakes here and there. The rest of the field is riding well and you have to limit those mistakes, which I’ll be working on this week. Next week will be a bit different because the dirt is a lot more hard packed, so we’ll see if we can get back up to the front.”

To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com. Don’t forget to follow the Pro Circuit race team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @pcraceteam.
250SX Class Eastern Regional Main Event Results - Minneapolis, MN
1. Austin Forkner (Kawasaki)
2. Jordon Smith (KTM)
3. Justin Cooper (Yamaha)
4. Alex Martin (Suzuki)
5. Chase Sexton (Honda)
6. Mitchell Oldenburg (Yamaha)
7. Kyle Cunningham (Honda)
8. Brandon Hartranft (Yamaha)
9. Jordan Bailey (Husqvarna)
10. Kyle Peters (Suzuki)
16. Martin Davalos (Kawasaki)
250SX Class Eastern Region Points Standings
1. Austin Forkner (Kawasaki), 26
2. Jordon Smith (KTM), 23
3. Justin Cooper (Yamaha), 21
4. Alex Martin (Suzuki), 19
5. Chase Sexton (Honda), 18
6. Mitchell Oldenburg (Yamaha), 17
7. Kyle Cunningham (Honda), 16
8. Brandon Hartranft (Yamaha), 15
9. Jordan Bailey (Husqvarna), 14
10. Kyle Peters (Suzuki), 13
16. Martin Davalos (Kawasaki), 7
About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Products, Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages and everything in between.
Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 30 AMA championships and more than 250 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.
Previous Motocross Articles