Ryan’s on fire after hat-trick

Bunbury motocross tyro Ryan Scarlett is the latest in a growing contingent of South West riders finding success on the State stage.

Scarlett, who rides a 250cc KTM 2-stroke, announced his arrival on the senior motocross circuit in emphatic fashion, roaring to three consecutive victories to take maximum points from round one of the Intermediate Lites WA Motocross championship at Coastal Motorcycle Club earlier this month.

Racing in his first senior event, Scarlett contained his nerves to open a six-point competition lead on second placed Perth rider Dylan Lowry ahead of round two at Kalgoorlie this weekend.

“I’ve been racing since I was a nine-year-old all through juniors but that was my first time stepping up to seniors, ” Scarlett said.

“I went into the round hoping to finish in the top five but after I won the first race by 25 seconds I realised I could win the whole thing if I stay consistent through the rest of the rounds.”

Scarlett opened his campaign with a perfectly executed hole shot, safely clearing the turn before a mass pile-up on corner one took care of most of his competition to allow him to coast to victory.

“The second race I got the hole shot again and then in the last one I had a slightly slower start but passed a few guys to take the lead early and then cruised the rest of the way, ” he said.

Scarlett finished second overall in the junior State Championship last year and can go a long way toward his goal of securing a senior WA title in his debut season with a strong performance at Kalgoorlie.

“I’m more of a sand rider but hopefully I can do all right in Kalgoorlie on the hard-packed track, ” he said.

“I’m aiming for top three in that round before coming back to race here in Bunbury in June.”