Image: Octopi Media.

Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha have revealed some of the issues that arose at Southwick for the team. The key one being that both Jett Reynolds and Mark Fineis were unable to start the second moto due to electric water pumps and fans that drained the batteries on both bikes while waiting for the restart after the red flag for the initial start.

Reynolds and Fineis were not the only team riders who encountered problems as 450MX rider Garrett Marchbanks actually ran out of fuel just before the finish of moto one while running P8. Marchbanks was then classified as the first rider a lap down in P15.

The team came out on Monday morning with an explanation for both situations.

“Moto one went fine for the 250 guys,” said the team. “Reynolds ended up at a season high of P12 and continues to build. You will see his breakout moments at RedBud. He likes that track and is ready to show his stuff. Fineis was up there also but had a late moto tip over pushing him back to P14.  For the 450 guys, good run as well, but Garrett ran out of fuel with ten feet to the finish line. We run the big tanks, so we are not sure what happened, but if his clutch was any indication, he was on the gas the entire moto.

“Moto two started off okay for the 250’s but then came the red flag. We have added electric water pumps and electric fans to the bikes for Southwick. When they came back to the line, both of those pieces ran longer than expected and totally drained the batteries on both bikes. We have tested and used these components for the two weeks leading up to Southwick, but we did not simulate a red flag condition – so that is on us as a team. It was no fault of the bike or components, just us as a team not planning for every scenario. The 450’s were much better although Garrett drove into the first turn pile up causing him to start 35th. He came all the way back up to 12th for the moto. Phil was the highlight of the weekend going 9-9 for 8th overall. Guy is a stud.”