Strong US results for Lawrence

From Doug Lawrence

Doug Lawrence of Mississauga, ON had some very impressive results from his recent flat track foray into the Southwestern United States. Riding the Edge Performance Kawasaki 450 on a variety of tracks, Lawrence made frequent appearances on the podium.

His first stop was the OK Corral Raceway near Harrah, OK for an unplanned appearance in the indoor short track.

“I didn’t even know about the race,” he explained. “I called Scotty Duebler (AMA Pro Flat Track announcer) and he told me about the race. I figured, 'well we’re here, it’s a race and I’m a racer, let’s do it.'”

And do it he did as Lawrence rode the number 73 bike to a heat race win and then took the holeshot in the final to lead all 15 laps over the 12-man field.

“That was great; that was payback for Daytona. I didn’t do very well there but this makes up for it. The bike works so well and I’m starting to feel more comfortable on it so we’ll see what else we can do while we’re down here,” Lawrence enthused post race.

A doubleheader weekend as part of the North Forty Bike Week in Decatur, TX was Lawrence’s next chance to straddle the Edge Kawasaki in anger and he showed the comfort level he spoke of. In the Saturday program he placed a close third in his heat race on the quarter-mile clay oval and then muscle his way to a second place finish in the final. In the second half of the weekend's racing Lawrence mirrored his Saturday effort with a third in the heat race but a slight bobble late in the race cost him a podium position as he settled for fourth.

Another doubleheader was next on the agenda, this time on a fast clay, blue-groove half mile near Waco, TX. Lawrence quickly adapted to the track on Saturday and placed a charging second in his Pro 450 qualifying heat race behind Merle Scherb. He then upped his pace in the main event to place an inspired and close second to former champ Chris Carr.

“That was awesome," Lawrence said. "The track is so fast, hey my bike is so fast. I don’t think I could have made a pass happen but I could definitely run with him, that was fun.”

In the Sunday event Lawrence maintained momentum with yet another podium appearance in the Pro 450 class with a third place finish followed by an inspired ride in the Open Pro division where he stole second place in a field of larger bikes. 

Lawrence is sponsored by Edge Performance Centre Kawasaki, CVC Communications, American Harley-Davidson, Boughner Racing, Saddlemen, MM Skidshoes, Supertrapp, 42, Works Connection, Ogio and Sixsixone.