There might have been a few hiccups and false starts to rounds due to the weather, but the six-round 2010 Shell Advance Sunshine State Motocross Series finished up on June 6 at Tivoli Raceway under glorious skies and exciting racing.

The Moreton Districts Motocross Club turned on a well prepared track and a smoothly run meeting to make a fitting finale for the 2010 series. Despite tough times in the economy, plenty of riders still attended the series and hopes are high that the 2011 series can expand back to the eight rounds and continue to gain in popularity.

The primary function of the Sunshine State Series has always been about rider grading and using the championship as a way to group similarly skilled riders in the same class. At the end of each year, riders who have been successful in the current grades will move up the ladder and continue their climb to be a better rider and racer. It has been the career path that has seen Queensland consistently produce top line riders at a national level.

Pro Classes
With the date clash of a couple of national rounds and the pure commitment of doing the MX Nationals, the pro fields weren’t always full of national heroes apart from early in the series. But seasoned veteran Travis Regeling strung together six solid rounds of racing to take out the Pro Open series for what must be the 100th time. Behind him were Richard Leech and Kerrod Morrissey.

Brock Winston took out the Pro Lites class despite missing the odd round. Winston rides well on all surfaces and this is his second series win, the first in 2008. Casey Turner notched up second place just ahead of Joe Hobson who hopefully has put a horrible run of injury behind him.

Expert
Beau Dargell took the win in the Expert Open and looks to be headed for the Pro classes. He edged out Jake Pengelly and Luke Vanmannenberg in the overall points and all three riders will be moved up for the 2011 series.

In the Expert Lites, Aaron Marks done the business and is often running at the speed of the Pro riders. He will add to the depth in the pro divisions, as will Aaron Rhodes and Peter Hull who came in second and third respectively.

Intermediate
Sam Lindsay won the Intermediate Open class with Ben Dutton and Brendan Swaffield filling the podium positions. All three riders are more than ready to move up to the expert level.

Tynan Hobson won the Intermediate Lites, just three points clear of Shaun Redhead who missed a few rounds due to national commitments. Redhead obviously doesn’t belong in this class and he, along with Hobson and third place getter, Luke Atto, should be immediately moved up.

Clubman
With the amount of riders entered in these classes, there is always plenty of action on the track. The top four or five riders in both the Lites and the Opens run a good speed and will fit in well in the higher divisions. The big leap from Clubman to Intermediate isn’t the speed, but the fitness to handle the longer races with greater intensity.

Rhys Hobson took out the Clubman Lites in a strong showing for the Hobson clan in this series. He was just ahead of Ryan Maher, Brock Taylor and Jacob Gaby.

The Open division saw Brock Taylor stand on the top of the podium, with Zac Luzzi and Andrew Young filling the minor places.

JUNIORS
It was again the case of the usual suspects here, with Jacob Wright and Jay Wilson battling over the 15 year class. Wilson took the series win, Wright second although things might have been a lot closer had Wright been able to compete in this class at the opening round.

Dakota Court beat some more fancied rivals in the 15 years 85cc in a strong showing throughout the year.

Joel Dinsdale barnstormed his way home to take the win in the 12 to 13 years age groups while Wilson Todd did likewise in the 10 to 12 years groups. Riley Dukes, Jack Later and Mason Rowe were the top three riders in the 7 to 9 years 65cc.

For a the complete list of results; www.orion-timing.com and also keep an eye on the MQ website for grading notifications; www.mqld.org.au