Page 92 - Issue45

JUSTIN STARLING
250 SX / 15TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> Starling is having a good 2017 season as he has made every main event so far with his best finish being 8th at round 5 in Oakland. Although Starling has put himself and his sponsors in all of the main events his finishes haven’t been the best. He only has the one top 10 in Oakland and has been outside of the top 15 twice this year. Believe me the speed is defiantly there but mistakes in the main event have drastically hurt Starlings chances of finish- ing inside of the top 10 in the championship standings and it is doubtful that will change with only one round remaining. Starling was fortunate enough to get a chance to ride for the JMC Motorsports Husqvarna team and the pair are meshing well. I see Justin returning to the team in 2018. In the #71’s heat race he came the holeshot line in 6th, sadly two big mistakes cost him and he was forced to race the Last Chance Qualifier. Justin and the JMC team prepped for the LCQ and things didn’t look good. Starling came around well outside of the top 10 and only four riders transfer to the main. At the end of the first lap Starling made his way past six riders to get himself to 7th. With under a minute +1 lap remaining in the main event Justin was one spot out
of a transfer in 5th. Starling made his way past both Commans and Lionnet in on section putting himself in a transfer position. Justin wasn’t done yet and by the end of the lap Starling overtook the lead from Ames. That is a total of 5 passes less than one lap, that proves Justin has top 10 main event speed. After the impressive heat race win Starling struggled off the gate in the main event and was in last place after the first few laps. 14th was all the #71 would be able to put together.
92 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017