Page 51 - MPG-AUGUST

PONC A C I T Y O K L A H O M A
BROCK WALKER
After a couple of top ten finishes throughout the various 85cc classes at the inaugural Motoplayground Race at Ponca City, Brock Walker was eager to make his mark on the event in the second year of action. The Texas native undoubtedly did just that as he went toe to toe with some of the nation’s best youth riders, finishing outside of the top five on only one occasion throughout the entire weekend. The Kawasaki rider finished on the podium in all three classes, but it was his performance in the 85cc (9-11) Limited class that really allowed him to stand out from the crowd -- the Texan won his heat race as well as the second moto, earning a perfect score in order to beat a handful of factory supported riders to the number one plate. In the opening (9-11) Limited heat race, Walker got out to a solid start behind the Orange Brigade KTM of Daxton Bennick. The two of them battled on the opening lap, but the Texan wasn’t content sitting in second place -- he put the hammer down with immediate effect, setting the fastest time of the moto on the second lap as he took the lead. At that point, he stormed away from the North Carolina native, surmounting a gap of more than five seconds at the checkered flag on his way to the moto win. In the second race, Walker made things easy on himself as he grabbed the early advantage and never looked back, therefore staying out of the intense battles that took place from second to sixth position. Although he wasn’t the fastest rider on the track for the entirety of the race, his consistency and his starting position set him up for success and he seized the opportunity with the composure of a wily veteran as he outclassed some of the nation’s top talent, earning a champion- ship that he’ll remember for years to come.
WWW.MOTOPLAYGROUND.COM
51