Christie Nets Second and Third at London FT National

Newly crowned 2014 MOPAR Canadian National Pro Superbike Champ Jodi Christie made a strong National Flat Track debut at the London Half Mile on Saturday night, August 23.  After trying the dirt oval discipline for the first time on Friday night on the tight Paris Short Track, Christie moved to London with the same borrowed Honda CRF450 DTX class single, owned by Flat Track Canada series promoter Aaron Hesmer.

Christie was joined at the five-eighths of a mile Fairground venue by fellow CSBK Pro regulars Kenny Riedmann, the new Hindle Pro Sport Bike National Champ, as well as recent Canadian Tire Motorsport Park National Superbike standout Ross Millson. Riedmann, the most experienced Flat Tracker of the trio with five events to his credit, would ride a Kawasaki he once owned while Millson borrowed a well-used Yamaha.

Action started with the Heat Race for the Novice DTX class, Riedmann holding second until the last lap, netting third, while Millson earned fifth.  In the second of the split Heats, Christie ran second for the whole race, in the middle of the lead battle.

In the crowded Novice Open division, Christie again got a good start to score a second place in the first Heat.  Millson was seventh, and Riedmann had a good run to third in the second Open Heat.

Good friends Christie and Riedmann started from the first row for the Novice DTX final, Christie getting a horrendous start while Riedmann hooked up at the front.  But a two bike crash involving the leader brought out the Red Flag, and the restart allowed Christie to get a much better start, Riedmann struggling this time.

After getting the hole shot, Christie again held second for much of the race, winding up in third place in his first Flat Track National start.  Riedmann recovered for fifth place, while Millson scored 11th.  16 year old Tyler Brown of Bracebridge, ON earned the win.

Most of the same riders returned for the Novice Open Final, with the addition of a few custom “framers.”  After another strong start, Christie fought for first and wound up second, again behind the on-form Brown.  Riedmann was sixth, last of the lead pack, while Millson gradually faded to the back of a busy five rider dice to settle for 14th.

Asked about the challenge from Superbike Champ Christie, double victor Brown quipped that Christie “did pretty good for jumping on a DTX bike; I don’t know how well I would do if I tried a Superbike racer!”

In Feature class Expert action, Steve Beattie took the National win ahead of the Harley-Davidson XR750s of Don Taylor and Chris Evans.  Doug Lawrence challenged for the win on his XR, but clipped Beattie on the last lap, falling in an incident that also included a lapped rider.

“This was really great,” started Christie of his Flat Track experience, “really 100 per cent in almost every way.  I was really surprised and happy to put it on the box in both my classes. “

“The track changed as the night progressed,” continued Christie.  “As things changed, I got more and more comfortable.  Really, my only issue is that I was down a little bit on top speed. “
“I was trying different lines, trying to see what would work for me, looking at what everyone else was trying.  Turns three and four were tough, the groove wasn’t consistent and it took time to figure it all out.  I want to thank Steve Ball (former road racer, now a Pro6 backed Flat Tracker) for all his help, getting me sorted out all through the program.”

“I would definitely do some more flat tracking if I get the chance, and my schedule allowed it,” admitted Christie, who waited for the end of the road race National tour to switch disciplines for the weekend.  “Everybody was great, really friendly and helpful, and Doug Beattie even loaned me some gearing. I really enjoyed myself, and it’s always a boost when you ride well.”