KTM Kids Hit Stanmore

Record entries of over 430 riders from right around Australia gathered in Queensland at Stanmore Park near Yatala, to recognise our junior motocross talent, and to reward the highest achievers in each class with a trip to America.

In its third consecutive year the KTM Cup provided a prize pool of over $40,000 to finance our top riders to contest the World Mini GP Finals at Las Vegas in April 2006.

Just back from a 5 month retirement, five-time Australian Junior Motocross Champion Brenden Harrison clean swept the 15 year old category to win every race he entered in the Junior Lites. His return to racing was as sudden as his departure, but KTM boss Jeff Leisk airlifted a new 2006 KTM-250SXF to Brisbane for Brenden to ride. With just 2 days to the Cup Brenden had little or no preparation time, but he adapted quickly.

He entered three motos, won his first two from start-to-finish, but his third victory was nowhere near as clearcut. He collided with another rider coming off a jump, forcing Brenden to recover from a long way back to make it three in a row. However Harrison will not travel to Las Vegas, opting instead to concentrate on his immediate graduation into the senior ranks.

Motorex KTM’s Jacob Blomfield and Tye Simmonds, both on KTM85SX’s, scored their victories back-to-back with their class wins in the Australian Junior Motocross Championship, held recently at Coolum. Blomfield has entered every KTM Cup since its inception, being the only rider undefeated in the history of the event.

Simmonds won both the 85cc and 125cc classes at Stanmore, but because each winner can only secure one passage to America, Harley Quinlan (second to Simmonds in the Under 15 Junior Lites) will also pack his bags in April.

Young Jesse Dobson, another Queenslander of immense potential, took out the Under 10 – 65cc Class, he’ll be a big hit in the US.

Overall results from the 2005 KTM Cup available from HERE.

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Vermeulen's Second

Sunshine Coast local and Ten Kate Honda rider, Chris Vermeulen wrapped up second place in the 2005 World Superbike Championships after unusual circumstances led to the cancellation of the second race, before it had even begun.

Having won the opening race by just .3 of a second over Championship rival Troy Corser, Vermeulen headed into the second race knowing he had to keep his Title hopes alive heading into the deciding round in Magny-Cours (8/9 October).

The riders had already formed on the grid for the second 21 lap event when heavy rain forced the clearance of the grid after the warm-up had taken place. Race Control eventually cancelled the event, thereby handing the 2005 Superbike Championship Crown to fellow Australian, Troy Corser with a 55 point lead heading into the final round.

After that decision Vermeulen had this to say, "I’m not too disappointed about the Championship, it was always a long shot, and even if we’d managed to get some more points off Troy in race two, he would still go to Magny-Cours with a big lead”.
Queensland Jinx.

In finishing second in this year's World Superbike Championship, Vermeulen continues a peculiar jinx for Queensland riders competing on the international scene. Fellow Queenslander Andrew McFarlane also finishing in 2nd place in the MX2 World Motocross Championship, and the Gold Coast’s Jason Crump finished 2nd in the World Speedway Championships.

More information on Chris Vermeulen available from his official website - http://www.chrisvermeulen.com/

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AJ Tops NSW List of Honour

Husqvarna’s AJ Roberts rubbed salt into the already deep wounds of his New South Wales counterparts when the Bribie Island resident was named NSW Off-Road Rider of the Year. Fresh back from competing in the last two rounds of the World Enduro Championships, Roberts was keen to show the competition why he is the man to beat.

On a hot and humid day in Dungog, Roberts set the NSW countryside on fire through all six special tests of the day. The mountainous terrain, although technical, was fast and well suited to Roberts and his Husqvarna WR250, he finished round 9 more than 40 seconds ahead of second placed Brad Williscroft, and 54 seconds clear of Jehi Willis (3rd).

Round 10 endured heavy rainfall immediately after the sighting lap, turning the previously dry track into a mud fest. However Roberts thrived on the wet conditions, increasing his lead even further, eventually winning the round 52 seconds clear of Damian Smith, and 96 seconds ahead of Adam Lees (3rd).

“I think this has been my best race of the year”, said AJ, “the riding I’ve been doing in Europe obviously helped me through the mud. I really wanted to finish the Australian calendar on a high as you’re only as good as your last race”.

His NSW Sprint Series victory, his strong second place in the NSW Enduro Series, and his domination of the Australian Off-Road Championship, earned AJ the title of NSW Off-Road Rider of the Year.

That treble capped off a fantastic season for Roberts, and being a Queenslander made it all the more unpalatable for his southern peers to swallow.

More information on Enduro ace AJ Roberts avaialble from - http://www.husqvarnaracing.com.au

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Speedway: North Queensland Rhinos vs South Queensland Stars

Round 3 - North Brisbane

It wasn't the average run-of-the-mill individual meeting, it was a double-edged teams event which was hoped would inject fresh vigour into the Queensland speedway scene. Comprising of two categories for senior and junior sides, the NQ RHINO’s made the long 16 hour drive to North Brisbane’s Nudgee complex (Friday) and to Mike Hatcher Park on the Gold Coast the following night.

The South Queensland senior team enjoyed a 2-nil lead going into Round 3, while the North Queensland Junior Rhinos charged into the Nudgee encounter with a similar advantage.

From the start it was evident the young Rhinos would continue where they had left off, and their 62-28 thumping of the locals says heaps for the strength of the sport up north. The young Stars were simply outclassed by a bigger, older team which was also just coming to grips with the knack of team riding. The Rhinos were solid throughout, while the Stars had all their eggs in the basket of Darcy Ward, the Queensland Junior Champion.

Things didn't go to script for the senior Stars when the visitors shoved their noses in front by Heat 3. The Stars hit back, drew level twice, and due to the efforts of John Oliver and Sam Taylor the home team shot to the lead with just three heats remaining.

The Stars pairing of Dave Booth and Scott Smith rode on a 2 point lead into the final race where their joint maximum points set their victory firmly in concrete.

It was a gutsy effort from the Rhinos who posed a much more serious threat than most had anticipated. Williams was a revelation, the exciting 17 year-old leaving an imposing mark on all who witnessed his dynamic performances. He was drafted into the Rhinos team as a complete unknown and was having his first look at the North Brisbane circuit. Barney also made everyone sit up and take notice as he figured prominently in North Queensland's scoring.

As for the Stars, Smith and Booth each dropped just one point to the opposition, both times to Williams, while John Oliver and Sam Taylor were solid back ups.

Four riders lined up in the 350cc class for Under-16 year olds, with Dylan Trengrouse proving too quick for Josh Grajczonek.

Scores:
Sth Qld Junior Stars 28: Darcy Ward 13, Jake Moore 7, Harley Brigden 5, Mathew Day 2, Bryce Brigden 1.
Nth Qld Junior Rhinos 62: Clinton Dennis 15, Josh Grajczonek 13, Mitchell Davey 11, Nick Morris 9, Mitchell Weismantel 8, Tyler Moon 6.

Sth Qld Senior Stars 48: Scott Smith 16, Dave Booth 16, John Oliver 9, Sam Taylor 7, Tim Chilcott 0, Hugh Stephens 0.
Nth Qld Senior Rhinos 42: Korey Williams 15, Rick Barney 10, Roy Stout 5, Steven Reid 4, Scott McKenna 4, Jeremy Linton 4.

Round 4 - Gold Coast

Spectators were in for a double-header bonus when Ivan Mauger's Golden Helmet Series was run side-by-side with the Final Round of the South versus North Queensland Teams Challenge at the Gold Coast’s Mike Hatcher Park on November 5.

Four international riders raced over 5 heats in the second round of the Golden Helmet, while the South Qld Stars made a clean sweep of the senior teams series, and the Nth Qld Rhinos whitewashed the junior event.

Poland's Lukasz Romanek notched up his second victory, having won the first Golden Helmet round at Rockhampton a week earlier, but England’s Oliver Allen really made him earn it.

They had each had won two previous heats, plus a second and third placings, and in the Final Allen led for most of the encounter with the hard charging Pole twice getting under him. Romanek hit the front coming out of the last turn lottery to take the flag, with Czech Patrik Linhart finishing third ahead of Kiwi Andrew Bargh.

The Junior Rhinos romped away to a comfortable 53-37 win, with 11 year-old Nick Morris having his best ever meeting and topping the Rhinos' scores. He dropped just one point to the opposition, with solid backing from Josh Grajczonek, Clinton Dennis and Mitchell Davey. The young Rhinos were impregnable, even though Darcy Ward turned in a top performance for the junior Stars.

In the Seniors it wasn't the same close encounter as Round 3 the previous night, an 18 point maximum from Scott Smith and a near perfect score from Dave Booth being the rock steady foundation on which the Stars built their biggest win over the Rhinos. Booth dropped one point to Korey Williams, and 12 points from Sam Taylor compensated the Stars for the loss of John Oliver with engine failure. But it was guest rider Korey Williams who excited the Rhinos' camp, in each of his five rides against home track specialists Smith or Booth he entertained with exuberant riding.

Scores:
Sth Qld Junior Stars 37: Darcy Ward 16, Jake Moore 7, Harley Brigden 6, Mathew Day 5, Tyson Nelson 3, Bryce Brigden 0.
Nth Qld Junior Rhinos 53: Nick Morris 13, Josh Grajczonek 11, Clinton Dennis 11, Mitchell Davey 9, Mitchell Weismantel 6, Tyler Moon 3.

Sth Qld Senior Stars 55: Scott Smith 18, Dave Booth 16, Sam Taylor 12, John Oliver 5, Tim Chilcott 3, Hugh Stephens 1.
Nth Qld Senior Rhinos 35: Korey Williams 11, Roy Stout 8, Ricky Barney 6, Jeremy Linton 4, Steven Reid 3, Scott McKenna 3.

Ivan Mauger's Golden Helmet: Lukasz Romanek (Poland) 12, Oliver Allen (England) 11, Patrik Linhart (Czech) 5, Andrew Bargh (NZ) 2.

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Marshalling Point
Ride! Editor - Barry Marshall

Without harping endlessly on the same self-motivated viewpoint of how successful our Queensland riders are rated globally, the unarguable situation is “THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE”.

Andrew McFarlane took out a hard fought second in the World MX2 Championship, and as we speak he is already in California fulfilling his new team commitments to Nokia / Yamaha of Troy.

Local boy Chris Vermeulen, who has already stamped his signature on the World Superbike scene, accepted a late invitation to step up to the plate in the World Moto GP at Phillip Island, and he finished exceptionally well in 11th spot.

Now if 11th doesn’t seem very headline grabbing, take another look, Chris has never before ridden a Grand Prix bike, and only got to sit astride his new mount two days before the Phillip Island event. Quiet unassuming Christopher was absolutely stoked with his introduction to GP racing at World level, and we’ll be hearing much more about Chris in that premier class.

With one entire round still outstanding in the Australian Supercross Championships, Whale Kawasaki’s Daniel Reardon had already taken out the Lites Title, and only needed to cruise in the final round to annexe the National No.1 Plate. Unfortunately Daniel’s flamboyant victory reinforces the reputation he’d forged with Brett Whale’s Kawasaki, and he’s now been snapped up to ride for the National Kawasaki team in 2006.

Much less clearcut, the final round of the Australian Pro Open SX Championship was also an outstanding weekend for Troy Carroll, the verdict going right down to the line, when Troy joined Daniel to make it a Queensland double.

Gold Coast speedway ace Jason Crump came home with a defiant charge to claim second in the World Speedway Solo Championships, an exceptional honour in itself, but one of several ‘runner-ups’ that Jason would gladly trade for ‘top-shelf’.

Misty Eyed
Don’t let anyone tell you grown men shouldn’t cry, I get misty eyed over lots of things, and there’s aren’t many readers out there game enough to call me a sook to my face. But Ken Darcy’s letter to the Editor last issue of RIDE! had me all mistied-up with pride at the praise he heaped upon our team of Enduro helpers at the A4DE.

As an enduro rider from way back, I remember lots of occasions with my tongue hanging out over aggressive terrain, and asking myself the inevitable question “What the hell am I doing here ?”

If you weren’t a Kirk Hutton (actually it was Peter Payne in those early days) the driving force that kept most ordinary riders going in painful situations was that pulling out would be letting the team down. Then just around the next turn a check point housing the sort of welcoming committee described in Ken’s letter gave you the strength to carry on. It was in fact a benevolent phenomena for which Queensland enduro helpers have always been famous, and one that made the other states green with envy.

In those days it was more than likely Ann Oliver, wife of Team Moto business partner John Oliver, slinging hot coffee and bananas at you in winter, or Gatorade and lolly-snakes in summer. It started off just as sustenance for their own team riders, then for as many northern friends as possible as long as the snakes lasted, but it became a budgeted item for every identifiable Queenslander who happened along.

The physical lift was enormous, for no apparent reason the bike suddenly got 50 pounds lighter, 20 mph faster, and the hills just didn’t seem as steep anymore.

Yes Ken, your point is well taken, “Isn’t it great to be a Queenslander”.

Mini-Marshall-Points

(a) - Normally we might make excuses for our lack of coverage for minority sports like speedway and observed trials, but in this issue of RIDE! the minority takes priority. On October 29/30 the Australian Moto-Trials Championships took place at Canungra, and the local roll-up of competitors was boosted by a group of overseas stars here in Australia for a highly rated International Trial in Victoria just one week later.

The already prestigious Australian Titles gained incredible impetus in the process, and it just might have changed the local trials scene forever.

(b) - Also in the same state of flux, the Queensland Speedway scene has just concluded a successful 4 round series of teams racing that could well resurrect the sagging sport in this state.

Pitting solo riders from opposite ends of the state against each other, in fact the two MQ zones where speedway is strongest, the South Qld. Stars took on the North Qld. Rhinos.

Now while it may not be the BOMB we suggested should be lit under Speedway in our last issue of RIDE! it is a step in the right direction.

Neil Gould and his Speedway Sub-Committee cohorts Gavin Elmes, Roy Johnstone, Chris Brigden and Gary Davey, have worked their butts off for this series to succeed. Qld Speedway is at a cross-roads in its sporting comeback, it has strong rider ability, but what is lacking is rider commitment to work as hard as Gould and his Sub-Committee towards every initiative they devise.

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Schoolboy Sensation Blake

Don’t let the baby-faced looks fool you, 15 year old Blake Leigh-Smith (centre) is a schoolboy on a mission.

Already having experienced enormous success as a junior dirt-tracker, Blake turned his hand first to the part-tar tracks of supermotard racing, before going all the way to road racing.

Expert opinions already have Blake pegged as a junior prodigy with a real future in GP racing. He was one of 6 FIM approved ‘Wildcard’ entries in the Polini Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, and while he is still on his learning curve, its obvious he has great potential at virtually everything he touches.

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Trials on Trial

The national status of Moto Trials in this country can perhaps be gauged by the top-20 individual placings of the International Super Trial at Sedgwick, Victoria in November.

That event, and the Sherco Australian Moto Trials Championships one week prior, were unanimous successes, due in no small way to the International riders lured to this country to show us how.

In the Top-20 list only 2 Australians scored high enough to make the Top-10, Colin Zarczynski 6th, and Dylan Rees 7th, but in the next 10 placings seven more Aussies had their cards punched high enough to make the grade.

Five riders from Great Britain made the ‘Top Twenty’, including Outright winner Sean Morris, there were 2 Spaniards, 1 Italian, 1 German, 1 Fin, 1 New Zealander, and 9 Aussies.

Top-20 INDIVIDUALS – Sedgwick.
1 Sean Morris, Great Britain, Gas Gas 19pts
2 Jordi Pascuet, Spain, Gas Gas 29pts
3 James Dabill, Great Britain 34pts
4= Michael Brown, Great Britain, Beta 35pts
4= Joachim Hindren, Finland, Scorpa 35pts
6 Colin Zarczynski, Australia, Sherco 40pts
7 Dylan Rees, Australia, Sherco 43pts
8 Ben Hemingway, Great Britain, Montesa 53pts
9 Fabio Lenzi, Italy, Montesa 56pts
10 Warren Laugesen, New Zealand, Scorpa 57pts
11 Joan Pons, Spain, Sherco 61pts
12 Christian Kregeloh, Germany, Sherco 66pts
=13 Mitch Willcocks, Australia, Beta 67pts
=13 Dan Clark, Great Britain, Scorpa 67pts
15 Michael Byrne, Australia, Gas Gas 68pts
16 Tom Scott, Australia, Montesa 76pts
17 Kevin Zarczynski, Australia, Scorpa 88pts
18 Trevor Campbell, Australia, Beta 117pts
19 Kyle Middleton, Australia, Gas Gas 122pts
20 Boyd Willcocks, Australia, Montesa 123pts

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WIMS - Jordan Hunter

At 7 years old Jordan Hunter is about as young as we’ve had in our WIMS column, and she started out not liking bikes at all, not even to sit upon.

But she went for a ride on the rear of her father Kenny’s road bike, and she decided she loved it. Kenny Hunter was only a weekend dirt bike rider, but her uncle Matt Aball, who also influenced Jordan, was a regular competitor in the Thunder-X series. It wasn’t long before Jordan asked for her own Yamaha Pee Wee 50,and one year later she became a member of the Albert District Motocross Club at Stanmore.

With a real pride in her racing, Jordan says, “I like the funny feeling I get in my tummy, sitting on the starting line with the 10 second board showing, and the gates about to drop. I also love it when the crowd cheers and claps for me as I try to beat the boys, that’s what happened at the Boondall Supercross.

When asked by her parents if she wanted to ride in the Boondall event, her instant reply was, “Yes, but I want a set of pink goggles so that people know that I’m a girl”.

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Beccy Bateman's Back

RIDE! readers will be only too familiar with Rebecca Bateman, the young lady who graced our publication often in the not too distant past, and even made it into our WIMS column twice. Beccy was an excellent motocross rider, not only within the women’s ranks, but also in open company, and after a break from the sport to work and travel overseas, Beccy Bateman’s Back.

She is racing again, under the Gold Coast Husky Chix banner, and on November 19 she impressed everyone at the Ssangyong International Supermotard Challenge, finishing second to USA rider Michelle Pisalvo inside the Sydney Tennis Centre.

In only her second major supermotard race Beccy rode the wheels off her 2006 Husqvarna SM250R to be the first Australian girl across the line.

“I’m so excited about the result, I was pretty nervous heading into the event, but the ’06 Husky was perfect. As the day went on I became more comfortable, and First Aussie, second outright, that’s awesome, and I am looking forward to my next motard experience”, said Bateman.

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MA COUNCIL
The Council of Motorcycling Australia met in late November and a number of significant issues were decided. Among these were the following;

LICENCE FEES
MA’s wholly owned insurance company, Motorcycling Australia Insurance Limited (MAIL) has now been successfully operating for three years. As there is only a slight rise in next year’s premiums there will be no increase in licence fees for riders.

JUNIOR LICENCES
After 1 July 2006, all new junior licence applicants will have to have successfully completed a five hour coaching session and a detailed competency assessment. All juniors will have to complete at least five hours of coaching every year and juniors moving into the 125cc or 250cc four stroke classes must complete at least five hours coaching before being licenced for these classes. All juniors will be issued with a log book to record their coaching and riding history.

MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPETITION
After 1 January 2007, the minimum age for junior competition will be 7 years. Six year olds who have a competition licence before 1/1/07 will continue to compete.

ONE EVENT NATIONAL LICENCE
A special One Event National Licence will be available for Historic, Classic and Masters meetings only for a twelve month trial. The $77 licence will not require a competency test if the rider has held an annual competition licence within the last 10 years.

RESTRICTED NATIONAL LICENCE
A restricted National Licence will be available for Fast Fifties, Mini Moto and Moto Trials from 1 January 2006. This new licence will be available to both senior and junior competitors at a cost of $175.

ANNUAL RECREATIONAL LICENCE
The requirement for club membership has been removed for Annual Recreational Licences.

PERMITS AND TRACK LICENCES TO BE DISPLAYED
Promoters must display both the permit and the Track licence or Venue Registration at all sanctioned events.

350cc AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
An Australian Championship will be launched for this class in the 2006/07 season. These championships will promote a career path for junior riders.

15 YEAR OLD RIDERS IN GP125 CLASS
The GP125 class can now be combined with other classes with similar performance such as 250 Production or 400 Fourstroke, even if there are 15 year old riders on GP125 bikes.

FAST 50’S FREESTYLE
The Freestyle Motocross rules are to be modified to recognize Fast 50s Freestyle.

OFFICE CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS
The MQ Office will be closed over the Christmas-New Year period from midday on Friday 23rd December to 8am on Tuesday 3rd January.

ALL THE BEST…
Thanks to everyone who contributed to making 2005 such a successful year and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for a great Christmas and an even better 2006!

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World Superbike Officials

The Superbike World Championships will return to Phillip Island in 2006, scheduled earlier than usual for March 3rd to 5th, to work around the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Once more, volunteer officials are being sought for the event, which will feature at least three Aussies in the World Superbike Class (Troy Corser, Karl Muggeridge and Steve Martin), and two more in Supersport (Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes).

Free camping is available for each volunteer official and one guest, as well as the chance to experience all the on-track action at close quarters.

Applications close soon, so for more information, contact PI SBK Pty Ltd, tel (03) 5952 2710, or email
info@phillipislandcircuit.com.au

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Taxman's Watching

A public ruling (2005/284) made by the Australian Taxation Office on September 29 this year, which deals with deductions and expenses incurred in the sponsorship of motorcycle racing, replaces rule 2002/187.

Those who feel this new rule applies in any way to them, should acquaint themselves with the new wording.

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Brenden's Triumphant Return

For those young motocross competitors who rejoiced at Brenden Harrison’s recent shock retirement from a sport he’d dominated since he was 8 years old, well the bad news for them is He’s back.

His peers welcomed his departure because there was new hope of making the podium themselves, but from the sidelines no one really believed Brenden’s absence was permanent.

Brenden started in motocross at the tender age of 7, won his first Australian MX Title the following year, and at 9 years old he was inducted into Jeff Leisk’s Team Castrol KTM, (now Motorex KTM). As such, he was the youngest rider ever to join the fully sponsored ranks, it was a status he accepted with extreme modesty, but he was the envy of every other junior on the block.

Brenden literally stormed through the Junior motocross scene, but although not outwardly apparent, the stress Brenden placed upon himself was overwhelming. Normal life was nonexistent for the youngster, he even had his primary school education performed at home by his mother Denise via a correspondence course.

Then early this year the nine year strain on the 15 year old caused Brenden to suddenly retire, he yearned just to be an ordinary BOY, if only for a while.

But five short months later, the spark rekindled, as we knew it would, and Brenden’s first ride back was to win every event he entered in the KTM Cup at Stanmore Park.

In so doing he won the right (and the cash) to fly to America to contest the World Mini GP Final at Las Vegus in April 2006, but Brenden will forgo that opportunity to concentrate on his future right here in OZ.

The Stanmore Park event took place on October 8 & 9, exactly one week prior to Brenden’s 16th birthday, and his elevation into the Senior ranks is more important than anything else right now.

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Cash Incentives

Leo Cash is a well known road racing personality from way back, and his recent election to the post of President of the Motorcycle Sportsmen of Queensland is bound to see changes to the local scene. If Leo looks to be bubbling over with newfound enthusiasm, then that’s an accurate summation, as one of his initiatives is a draft document that’s currently seeking comments and input on new SUPERSTOCK classes for 2006.

The draft rules proposed for the Superstock classes are to be found by phoning the M/C Sportsmen on (07) 3262 6677, by emailing manager@motorcyclesportsmen.com.au or look up the M/C Sportsmen website on www.motorcyclesportsmen.com.au

Having just graduated in October as a Level 2 Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport, Leo Cash is looking for serious input into the wording of the draft. Primarily intended to get the ‘streeties’ off the streets, and onto the racetracks where it’s safe, Leo hopes for big things from the Superstock classes.

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Sharky Settles In

The transition from his second placing in the 2005 World MX2 Championships in Europe, to living and racing in America was much less traumatic than Andrew and Natalie McFarlane expected. Everything is much the same as back home, only a whole lot bigger.

The first thing they noticed was the accommodation, their house in Belgium would fit neatly inside their typically American 6-car garage, and everything else in ‘Yankee-Land’ was also blown up bigger that lifesize.

But the most pleasing aspect of the switch was the friendly atmosphere, even from teams not of their own sponsorship persuasion, and the welcoming committee from fellow Aussies Chad Reed and Michael Byrne was emotion charged to say the least.

All on different teams, they might not unexpectedly feel strong rivalry, but nothing could be further from the fact, with Chad and Byrner taking personal interest in Andrew’s settling into the American way.

Training, riding, dining, socialising, and generally just hangin’-out together, the ‘Three Amigos’ have been good for each other.

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Cini Goes Bush

Adam Cini, who rode for Brett Whale’s Kawasaki this year, has had a complete change of team, sport and make of motorcycle, as he proceeds to ride enduros for Team Husqvarna in the coming season.

Seen here ‘going bush’, instead of pursuing Mick Cook around the track at Hervey Bay, Adam should find himself right at home among the trees. He is incredibly quick at any two-wheeled sport he tries, and will certainly test the top enduro classes, but losing concentration in the un-sighted bush is not like going wide on a MX turn.

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Lynne Rice's CQ Notebook - Clermont

Situated on the Central Highlands, Clermont has hosted the Championships for Central Queensland’s No.1 Plate since 1988, and as Lynne Rice’s notations reveal, it’s a full on competition with plenty going for it. The 2 day meeting, with excellent camping facilities and lush green surrounds (courtesy of the recent rains) made for an all round motocross experience well worth the effort.

Saturday :- The fun kicked off Saturday morning with 2 rounds of flat track racing, something of a novelty for the MX crazy participants, who soon realised there was much more to dirt tracking than circling repetitively at speed.

Saturday PM :- The natural Terrain MX, overly saturated by the leaking skies, was slick and muddy, leaving those with mud wrestling skills holding all the ACES.

Saturday evening:- Club delegates met with the Central Queensland Committee for the AGM, setting dates for the 2006 calendar, airing thoughts on improvements to tracks to cope with the expected rise in racing numbers. A motion was also made for 2006 competition dates to suit NQ clubs, so the sport will boom in the up-coming season.

Sunday AM :- 250 riders launched themselves into the mud, North Queensland’s 50 strong contingent discovering Clermont’s tight MX track more suited to small bikes, and its technicality preventing the over-eager from over-jumping.

Full results from the Central Queensland No1 plate avaialble from HERE.

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Water, Water, Everywhere

The water crisis is still not over despite recent heavy rains, the real problems that will continue to plague clubs in the foreseeable future is all about water management of the resources they already have. Back in May of this year the drought affecting Queensland, in fact the entire country, was mentioned in RIDE! No.80, and it was pinpointed again in MQ General Manager Lindsay Granger’s column of RIDE! No. 82.

Put simply, if dust is a problem for your club, then water management is something you should be seriously planning, to avoid cutbacks in racing and practice schedules.

Many clubs have no problem, they already co-exist with local communities using perennial waterways, or subterranean supplies, but other less fortunate clubs must certainly think long and hard on the matter.

In RIDE! No.80 we showed how Moreton District Motocross were digging another bigger storage unit at Tivoli, and deepening the existing dam. Dams of course are of no use if it doesn’t rain, but the recent heavy storms that would normally run straight off Tivoli’s downhill gradient, have instead been preserved for future usage. These two contrasting photos demonstrate the wisdom of water management, and Moreton District Motocross is now well supplied even for the 2006 season.

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