With some help from Showa, the fork was fixed and ready to go Sunday morning for morning warm up. I got out early and muscled my way through a few riders to try and get a tow. Most riders sat up when they realised I was behind so I was on my own again to try and set a good lap. I was able to go straight down into the 43s again so hold some consistent laps, although it was clear we had to change gearing for the race. Finishing the session in 28^th it was finally time for the race and my debut in the world championship.

Sitting on the grid, I was confident of having a good race and having a good result. When the lights went red a few riders jumped forward and I was careful not go with them. I touched the front brake, which prevented me from jumping the start but it didn’t give me a great jump went the lights went off. I was able to make up a few positions through turn 1 and 2 although lost out on the straight towards turn 3. Again, I made up the positions over lukey heights and down into MG and crossed the line 27^th after the first lap. It was on from there as I went back and forth with Japanese TSR rider Kenta Fujii and Team Germany rider Toni Finsterbusch. By about lap 10 I had pulled a second gap over the battle and was edging towards the group in front when I had a big moment out of Siberia. Fujii came passed and Finsterbusch closed up. I was able to fight for a few more laps before having another big highside moment through the 200kph ‘Stoner Corner’. This caused me to lose a big gap on Fujii and a position on Finsterbusch. I kept my head down and got back through on Finsterbusch and in to 21^st position with around 10 laps to go. I was able to pull a gap on the German rider, but at that point my tyres were finished. And I was not able to keep consistent. I lost a lot of time in the closing 10 laps and slipped back to 24^th. I eventually finished the race on the lead lap in 24^th position, with a best lap of 1.41.2. Only 2.6 seconds down on the fastest lap of the weekend.

With the loss of the first free practice session and the lap time we achieved on older less set up suspension, 24^th was a solid result for us. It was later pointed out to us that it was the best result for a wildcard since Garry McCoy in 1993 at the eastern creek 125 Grand Prix.

After a long weekend, we now look towards 2013 and the possibility of a ride in Europe of the Spanish or World Championship.

I would like to thank my Team K1 Racing and Team Yoshiharu for all their hard work throughout the weekend and the year, Also to Dellorto, Geo Technologies, IRTA and Dorna for their help throughout the Weekend. Special Thanks to Rob and Phil White from Wiring Looms Australia and Andrew Smart from Ricondi. Without their help this wouldn’t have been possible!

And a big Thanks to all my sponsors, Northern Volks, Ricondi Racing Apparel, Wiring Looms Australia, Planet Smash Repairs, Garry Crick Prestige, Ray Grace Trucks, OGK Kabuto helmets, Wurth, Top Rider, Moto Tipping, Motomatters.com, D and F Auto Care, Garry Hensley, Kawana Signs, Wilkyz Pro Paints and Phil White for all their Support.