The young Californian rider showed a determined ride to set another milestone for the Dutch based team, crossing the line in P13 in Sunday’s 15th race of the season whilst for Steven Odendaal a harmless fall robbed all hopes for a good result either
The championship’s debut race at the exciting Chang International Circuit in Buriram concluded today, again highlighted by such an amazing tight and hard-fought competition too. NTS RW Racing GP rider line-up with Steven Odendaal and Joe Roberts had rightly hopes to play its role on race day which was again marked extremely conditions due to hot and humid temperatures
Odendaal and Roberts, meanwhile, coming from seventh and eight row on the starting grid, both left the line that greatly to found themselves fighting for the points scoring positions straight away. Whereas Los Angeles native Roberts could keep his position till the chequered flag, riding very clever considering the tremendous conditions, his South African team mate Steven Odendaal suffered a low-sider in lap three for which hes dropped down the order to the far end. But Odendaal showed team spirit and determination, re-joining the race to collect valuable data and experience for him and the bike, whilst Joe Roberts crossed the line 13th position after 24 demanding laps in hot Thailand to achieve the team’s season best so far.
The whole NTS RW Racing GP team is particularly looking forward to the upcoming race in two weeks, when series visit Japan for the manufacturer’s home race at Motegi.
#4 Steven ODENDAAL (NTS RW Racing GP, NTS), 23rd:
“I made a decent start and we managed to get in a nice group immediately which was perfect. But then, unfortunately, I closed the front in turn two when I tried to pass someone. I’m sorry for the team but things like these mistakes happen. At least we could gain some race experience because I was able to re-join and bring it back home. Anyway, it was a positive weekend for us and I think we can make another step in Japan.”
#16 Joe ROBERTS (NTS RW Racing GP, NTS), 13th:
“Yeah, what a fantastic race for us, really. It is the best race result of the whole season which is so amazing to achieve that. Honestly, we achieved it because of the first two laps as I got a good start and passed a lot of people so, we were right there. The whole NTS RW team gave me such a fantastic bike this weekend and they have been working and working to give me really good feeling, we found out this weekend. I’m so happy that we got this result and we can be back in the points where we belong. It’s also nice to know that we can do it as well as to know where we need to improve. Therefore, I’m really looking forward to the home grand prix of NTS to give them another top 15 finish.”
Jarno JANSSEN (Team manager):
“Obviously, we’re happy with the great result of Joe. He had a good start into the race and he came directly to the scoring positions. Then, he managed his race very well, which is so important in these conditions as you always have to see what is happening around you and this he did very well today. Therefore, we’re very happy for him, and happy for the team too as well as we have been working so hard for this achievement. Thanks to the great support of NTS who gave us all its confidence all year long to setup the team with this amazing bike. On the other hand, we’re a little bit sad for Steven, he also had a good chance to have a good result today. But unfortunately, he had a small crash in lap three which set him off. But well done for him and his recovery and he showed a lot of respect to everybody that he continued and finished the race.”
