The 2010 KTM Natural Terrain Thunder-X Championship began with style last weekend (Sunday 26th June). The anticipation and stir leading up to the event was well and truly warranted for this year’s opener.
Amongst the cane fields in Tiaro, a half hour north of Gympie, the unassuming flat paddock dropped away to the river bank of the Mary River. Fast track, narrow track, wide track, big hills, drop- offs, the ‘devil’s elbow’ and the’ wall of death’ were just some of the obstacles riders circulated around. If you ever wondered what the true sense of the term natural terrain MOTOCROSS really was. This was it.
It got rough, but the track accommodated it. The clever thought that went in to the design of this track was evident from the track walk in the morning; a true credit to Mal Watson and crew, for putting on something special for the riders. Now down to the racing.
An injury free Joe Hobson (Bayside Yamaha/Answer) is back on track now and is looking like he is keen to win a Natural Terrain MX Championship. Joe was a league above the rest in the Lites Championship and if he keeps this up and attends the rest of the series, he will have one deserved title in the bag for this season.
In the Open Championship, Rhys Doreen leads the charge after closely winning two from two. There was controversy in the first race, when the last lap board was displayed to riders early upsetting the finishing of many riders. One such affected was Pro Honda/Shift/ Motul/Serco’s Travis Regeling.
“This year’s competition is fierce. Everyone is going fast and can win races. A couple of bad starts and that last lap board incident cost me some crucial points. I have a few things to work on for the next round to get me up to where I want to be”. An honest Regeling admitted.
Regeling long time revered Thunder X King is currently leading the Vets 30/, sitting third in the Lites and arguably 4th in the Open.
“I take my hat off to the club and property owner. This was an awesome venue for a Thunder X round. If all the tracks are prepared like this round, it will be a great series.” Regeling offers.
In the remaining hotly contested Vets categories the return of a QLD great, Duncan Hale (Bayside Yamaha) made it look like he never had a day off the bike winning the 35/ class. Nick Bell for QLD Duct Installers/N’side Motorcycles leads the 40/. Whilst Ron Hendrickson on his new Suzuki clean swept the 45/. Garry Armstrong proved too strong in the over 50’s with both race wins.
Stepping back in time; Jack McMahon for Ash’s Spoked Wheels leads the Evolution category, while Brett Scott tops the Pre ’85 class.
In the women’s Tamara Gray (Bayside Yamaha) came out victor with two wins, a tussle to get to the lead with Brioney Hendrickson (Caboolture M/Cycles) in the first moto kept the crowd on their toes. Gladstone’s Prue Maeyke battled it out with the rapidly improving Hendrickson for a second place on count back.
On four wheels; the leader board is choked up with hopefuls for this year. Craig Blackburn from Team Iron Pot sits only one point ahead of John Sherlock, who also sit’s dangerously close to Luke Beechey Motorsport’s Ryan Noyes. Kellie Collett deserves special mention for the first lady finisher in the class.
The Junior Lites is a sea of orange as KTM’s Jesse Dobson leads the Junior Lites over fellow orange riders Tom Williams Dylan Westaway.
Northside Fencing/Biketune’s Paul Dowse won two from two in the Clubman Open, whilst Clubman Lites counterpart Nick Guthrie did the same.
So after only two rounds the day was declared. A nasty culmination of injured riders occurred after clubman lites exploded in the first turn of their second race. Three ambulances and a helicopter were needed to ferry the injured. We can report though, that despite broke bones and bruises that all rider’s involved are now stable. Get well soon boys.
The remaining dates for the series are;
Round 2 – 8th August, Alton Downs (Rockhampton)
Round 3 – 29th August, Green Park, Conondale
Round 4 – 12th September, Echo Valley (Toowoomba)
For a list of full results visit www.orion-timing.com
