VOL. 54 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 31, 2017 P43
Barrett Long (son of U.S. racing legend John
Long) ended 19th.
"I'm going to encourage Barrett to get a few of
his buddies involved next year," said U.S. team
captain Dave Crussell who provided their bikes.
Mooney, who has won four AHRMA titles in the
past two years on an EBR, was racing a CMR-
framed replica of a Suzuki XR69, powered by a
Yamaha FJ1200 engine.
Barrett, who will be racing a Yamaha YZF-R1
Superbike in this year's MotoAmerica champion-
ship, quickly adapted in his debut on both Phillip
Island and his Yamaha TZ750.
Asked what his favorite part of the iconic Grand
Prix track was he replied, "Flat out down the main
straight with the ocean in the background."
Team U.S. will have to think long and hard
about next year if they want to step up and take
on third-placed team Ireland. Byrne, the top Irish
points scorer and fourth overall in the riders point
table, was confident of challenging Australia and
Team UK next year. "We just need two more good
motorcycles," he said.
Team captain Mike Meskell confirmed he has
this covered and is in the process of securing two
more competitive XR69s.
"I came here two years ago to tick something
off the bucket list," he said. "Now I'm hooked and
we'll be back bigger and better next year."
He is in a similar position to Team U.S. captain
Dave Crussell, who organized the logistics to get
the Americans over plus provide several bikes for
the riders.
Hamish Cooper
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GLENN
KEATING
(Above) Double
AHRMA winner Pat
Mooney stunned
some big names,
finishing 12th in
the riders points
chase. (Right)
Team NZ captain
Duncan Coutts
with the inaugural
Island Classic
Presidential Scalp
trophy his team
made especially
for this event.
