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Barry Morris running 5th in Australian Mr Motocross Pro Lites.
Visiting Scotsman Barry Morris put in some truly amazing rides at the first two rounds of the Australian Motocross Championships. Riding an unfamiliar, stock Honda CRF250, kindly supplied by MOTORCYCLE LAND in Ballarat, Morris was up against the might of the Factory backed Australian teams with a truly back yard effort.
Round one, held at the Barrabool circuit near Geelong, started with promise as Barry proved he had the speed by easily qualifying inside the top 10 in his group. Moto 1 also started well with Barry getting away to a reasonable start and working his way to sixth in the opening 10 mins of the race. Unfortunately the race was red flagged soon after, as Daniel Reynolds lay injured on the track. The restart was not so kind, a mid pack start was followed by a small fall. Completing the opening lap in 32nd position Barry put in an inspiring effort, moving past many factory supported pro riders to close in on the likes of Jye Harvey and Jono Porter before time ran out in the 30 min plus one lap moto.
Despite having no pressure washer and very limited resources, bike and rider were ready and looking forward to a better performance in moto 2. At this point things went from bad to worse - the organisers had changed the days format by cancelling a scheduled support race and failed to insure all riders were aware of the change. While factory teams were gassing bikes up on the line and their riders running to the start with no boots on, Barry was relaxing in the pits and as a result was one of about six riders to miss the start of moto 2. While devastated at not been able to compete, all was not lost as Barry’s first moto effort had opened some eyes. During the week the Australian agent for Pro Circuit, MONZA IMPORTS, offered the use of a pipe for the otherwise completely stock CFR250.
Round two at Horsham started well with Barry again easily qualifying in the top 10 in his group. Moto 1 saw the new PRO CIRCUIT pipe being put to good use as Barry entered the first turn in the top two! Unfortunately Barry found himself on the ground in turn 3 after been hit by another rider while making a move for the front. “It was a blatant takeout!” commented Barry afterwards. Picking himself up at the back of the pack Barry began an impressive ride as he reeled in and passed the majority of Australia’s top riders, including the entire CDR Yamaha team on their Rinaldi kitted Yamahas. At the end of the moto Barry had worked his way to a truly impressive fourth place.
Another good start in Moto 2 looked promising, but once again Barry found himself at the back of the pack after being unable to avoid a collision with a fallen Troy Dorron’s bike. Problems restarting the borrowed Honda dropped him even further back. In worsening conditions, his charge through the pack would have to be the performance of the day. Towards the moto’s end Barry had moved into third and was rapidly gaining on second placed rider Cameron Taylor, only to have the race stopped one lap early due to an injured rider. The fact that Barry appeared to be the fasted rider on the track was confirmed by lap times after the race – Barry posting a 1:58:260 ahead of race winner, and series leader, Cody Cooper’s 1:58:555. This was one Scotsman who was certainly flying!!!!!!! At the end of the day Barry had achieved quite a lot – he had passed every rider on the track, except Cody Cooper, posted the fastest lap time in moto 2 and had finished 3rd equal, on points with Yamaha’s Cameron Taylor. Although missing out on a spot on the podium due to Taylor’s higher placing in the second moto, the result meant Morris had move to a creditable 5th overall after completing just 3 out of the 4 motos run in the series.
Barry wishes to thank MOTORCYCLE LANDS Brown family, Don, Jeannette, Matt and Andy, who not only supplied the bike for both rounds but provided transport and accommodation while in Australia, MONZA IMPORTS for use of the PRO CIRCUIT pipe and the Kiwi supporters who waved NZ flags (for a Scotsman!?).
