Sunday February 1, and round five of the Arenacross series took the Heads and All Threads Suzuki team to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
After a series of well placed finishes in his heat races, Kullas wasn’t accustom to his sixth in heat one, but he soon put that behind him and took third in heat two.
Another good Head-to-Head result saw Kullas take second and three valuable championship points.
Kullas launched from the gate well in the Main Event, but found himself closed off down the start straight, and entered the first corner at the back of the field. He rode as smooth as ever and got to work climbing positions from last place, eventually crossing the line in seventh.
“It was a fun weekend again, my riding is good, and I feel that the speed is there, but I just can’t make the start in the final, it’s strange,” says a frustrated Kullas. “I know I can start well in the heats, but I just can’t get it how I want in the final.
“Now I’m thinking I need to not worry about the heats and focus on the Main. There are still three races to go, so hopefully I can get my starts sorted and run up the front for the rest of the series.”
Gary Gibson had been hopeful of a good result in Newcastle, but the Irishman was suffering with sickness. Sapped of his energy, he finished ninth in the first heat, and was landed on in the second resulting in a DNF. Battered and bruised, he missed the LCQ and begins preparations for round six in Glasgow.
“Coming into the event with an illness didn’t help with my focus,” said Gibson. “It was a pretty bad crash in the second heat, but it’s just one of those racing incidents. If you don’t get the start, and out of trouble, you’re in the pack and prone to these accidents. I’m a bit stiff and sore, but I should be good for Glasgow.”
Team Manager, Neil Prince commented: “We had a pretty good night really. Harri got second in the H2H. He was last down the start straight in the Main, but came through to sevent. It doesn’t sound great, but he was riding well. He’s still fifth in the championship and not far off third with three rounds to go.
“Gary’s been sick all week, so he just went out to see what he could manage. He’s sore after his crash, but hopefully, with some rest, he’ll be fit and ready for Glasgow.”
Round six of the Arenacross Tour will be on Saturday, February 7, at the SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow.
