23.07.2023

AFT SINGLES PODIUM FINISH FOR RED BULL KTM AND MAX WHALE AT BRIDGEPORT HALF-MILE

Round 13 – American Flat Track Championship
This press release has: 5 Images
BRIDGEPORT, N.J. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Max Whale returned to the podium in the AFT Singles Class in Round 13 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship at the Bridgeport Half-Mile, claiming a third-place result, as teammate Kody Kopp finished the Main Event with sixth position.
Whale was up to speed as soon as his 450 SX-F's wheels hit the track in New Jersey, with the Australian topping both qualifying sessions to secure P1 heading into the race program.

A third-place score in the first Heat of the night earned him a direct transfer into the Main Event, where he would battle all race long to secure a hard-fought P3 and, as a result, climbed to sixth-place in the 2023 standings with five rounds remaining.

Max Whale: "The Bridgeport Half-Mile started off unreal for me. I was fastest through the practice and qualifying sessions – everything felt really good straight away. I sat on pole in the Heat Race and rode well in that early on, before I just began to over-ride the track a little bit, and ended with P3. I was disappointed to miss out on a front row start for the main, which is huge in our sport, but lined up on the second row and ended up in ninth by the opening lap. Charged hard and made the move into third on the last lap, and I actually think I caught the leaders too. A little sweet and sour, based off the potential, although I'll take a P3 and a podium finish tonight."

Defending AFT Singles Champion Kopp experienced a more difficult day at the races, with a fall in the second practice session hampering his comfort for the remainder of the event. In a gritty performance, however, Kopp qualified eighth, before making it into the Main Event via a fourth-place result in his Heat Race.

The Main Event would see Kopp post a measured ride, crossing the finish line in sixth position for the Bridgeport event, and keeping his championship lead of 45 points over the chasing pack.

Kody Kopp: "Tough night tonight for me in New Jersey. Hit the ground in practice, which really set the tone for the night – I had to dig myself out of a pretty deep hole with my comfort levels, getting back on the track again. I’ll chalk it up to a learning experience, we have those, although with the sixth-place finish we’re still up 45 points in the championship, so we’ll keep our head down from here. We’re ready to finish strong!”

Next Race: Peoria TT – Peoria, IL – July 30, 2023

Round 13 Results

AFT Singles Main Event
1. Tom Drane, Yamaha
2. Trevor Brunner, Yamaha
3. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
OTHER KTM
6. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
10. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
11. Travis Petton IV, KTM
12. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
17. Justin Jones, KTM
18. Damon Ream, KTM

2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 255 points
2. Chase Saathoff, 210
3. Trevor Brunner, 208
OTHER KTM
6. Max Whale, 196
7. Dalton Gauthier, 187
11. Travis Petton IV, 78
12. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 69
17. Justin Jones, 55
18. Hunter Bauer, 49
19. Logan Eisenhard, 40
23. Declan Bender, 21
24. Hayden Gillim, 14
25. Landen Smith, 13
27. Clarke Morian V, 12
29. Tanner Dean, 9
33. Olin Kissler, 4
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Images (5)

MAX WHALE - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE 04 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
KODY KOPP - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 700 x 1 133 © Tim Lester
KODY KOPP 03 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester

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