Sherco jack-of-all-trades Justin Carafa has turned his attention to a winter getaway in Switzerland to race the final round of the Swiss International Motocross Championship. The Melbourne-based racer will race a Sherco 450 SEF Factory edition this coming weekend in Mannens, near Fribourg, around two-hours-drive south west of Zurich, with the Dynamic Bike Racing Team.
Carafa has enjoyed a long motocross and supercross career but for the past four years has been racing with the Motul Pirelli Sherco Team in a range of events. Although racing on a part-time basis, most recently Carafa dominated round-one of the 125 Gold Cup at the MX Nationals on a Sherco 125 SER before decimating the competition in the 250cc two-stroke class at the Hattah Desert Race last month.
“I enjoy the off-road race events with the Motul Pirelli Sherco Team but motocross is where I am most comfortable,” Carafa said. “I’ve been swapping emails with the Dynamic Bike Racing Team for the past couple of years and when they extended an invitation to race this year I just couldn’t knock it back. It’s good to get away from the Melbourne winter weather and a racing holiday is the best kind.”
Carafa will line up for two 25-minute plus two-lap motos this weekend and despite minimal preparation due to work commitments, the 30-year-old is confident of a top-five result.
“I’ve had a practice ride on the Dynamic Team 450 and the setup is pretty good,” Carafa explained. “I’m comfortable on the bike and the Team is pretty cool. I’ll have another practice ride tomorrow and then I’ll just take it easy until race day. We had a few days to look around when we arrived, and this place is insanely beautiful.”
With weather in the mid to high-20s the leadup to the final round of the Swiss International Motocross Championship has been ideal for Carafa but the forecast for the weekend is looking grim with a forecasted top of 17 degrees Celsius for race day.
“I’ve come a long way to race in cold and wet conditions, but it will probably suit me,” said Carafa. “I’d really like to be in the top five at the end of the weekend. I’ll give it my best shot and see how it plays out. The track looks like fun and I have a good bike, so I can’t see any reason why I won’t do well.”