Cachia's Stunning Wildcard Performance

Honda Thor Racing's Josh Cachia scored an impressive 10th overall in the Pro Lites class of the Australian Motocross Championship, having earned a wildcard entry to the series opener in Penguin (TAS), this weekend.

Only 16 years of age, Cachia is stepping into his rookie season at the senior level and is signed to compete with Honda Thor Racing in the 2008 Australian U19 Motocross Championship commencing 18 May.

Simply looking to use the event to gain some valuable experience of the intensity at the senior level and gain additional race miles, Cachia entered the weekend with no expectations and left delighted with his results.

A poor start to the first race saw Cachia away in 35th place, but the tenacious young racer began a steady charge up the order, making up an amazing 19 places to finish 16th.

In contrast, making a lightning fast start to the second race, Cachia was running in eighth on the opening lap before dropping to ninth a couple of laps later.

Most impressively, Cachia held his position from there until the end of the 30-minute moto, scoring 10th overall for the round.

Again as a wildcard entry, Cachia will now contest round two of the Australian Pro Lites Championship in Horsham (VIC) on 16 April.

JOSH CACHIA

"I was pretty happy ? 10th is not too bad."

"I had a bit of trouble in the first race and finished 16th, but I took that one on the chin and came out in the second moto and just rode my race as best could and didn't worry about anyone else."

"I finished up ninth in race two and 10th overall and so I was happy that and the team seemed pretty pleased, too."

"I'm really looking forward to Horsham, now? I'm not going in with any expectations, I'm just going to ride my own race like I did in race two here and see how it goes."

BRAD McALPINE, TEAM MANAGER:

?We already knew that Josh is a good rider and has a lot of potential, but stepping straight from junior level to Pro Lites is a huge step up, not to mention how difficult the track conditions were today, so his performance today was really very encouraging sign of what this season may have in store."

PRO LITES

1 Luke George 44;

2 Dean Ferris 43;

3 Kirk Gibbs 38;

4 Todd Waters 36;

5 Ryan Marmont 31;

6 Damien King 29;

7 Kade Mosig 25;

8 Matt Ryan 21;

9 Louis Calvin 19;

10 JOSH CACHIA 17