News

New Names Leave Their Mark at the 2023 Trackmasters

November 28, 2023 Filed Under: News, Track

The benefits of a full season of flat racing in the USA were on full display for fans last Sunday, with Forbes teenager Tom Drane finishing up as the standout performer at the 32nd staging of the Trackmasters motorcycle meeting held at the Barleigh Ranch Raceway. Drane only recently returned home after finishing runner-up in the season-long chase for the AMA Flat Track Singles class championship and showed everyone how much he had benefited from more racing, longer races and intensive training regimes that he was part of.

Despite the local stars having a great day of racing themselves, Drane turned in a polished and faultless day, winning all his heats and then the finals of both the Pro 450 and Unlimited Trackmasters classes. The Pro 450 win meant he added his name to the Rod Allen Memorial Trophy awarded in memory of the long-time dirt track and speedway commentator.

Local stars Cody Lewis and Luke Bush had a titanic battle behind Drane before Lewis took second place.

Two other youngsters stood up in the Unlimited final as Jett Carter and Blake Wilby chased Drane home.

Drane put the icing on the day when he triumphed in a series of match races to win the Max Troth Golden Helmet, a trophy that was first awarded back in 1965 and features the names of many legends of the sport inscribed as previous winners.

The Don Begley Memorial Trophy in memory of the inaugural secretary of the Raymond Terrace Motorcycle Club was awarded on the Slider class and produced the only ‘old hand’ winner,m with James Bevan taking the honours.

The George Watson Memorial Trophy, honouring the multiple championship-winning dirt track sidecar rider over many years, was won by Corey Forde / Darren Freudenstein, who had finished second last year. This time they came out on top of a tough battle to hold out Jarred Marko / Wade Robertson.

The Pro 250 class showed just how quickly 16-year-olds could take to senior competition when Thoren Openshaw came on top in his very first senior meeting.

Joshua McCosker won the very competitive Over 40s class while the only women entrant Bree-Anna Etheridge raced with the Pro 250 class and got involved in some close racing in those events.

In the juniors, fans got to see some of the promising riders coming through the ranks as local Cohen McCosker and Gunnedah rider Hugo Holmes both scored two class wins.

First-time visitor to Barleigh Ranch Spencer Doyle left with a class win, while in the older junior age bracket, the 13 – Under 16s, it was Sam Drane coming out on top of Max Earl and Gage Gower.

Results

Seniors	1st	2nd	3rd
Trackmasters Unlimited	Tom Drane (Forbes)	Jett Carter (Panorama)	Blake Wilby (Tamworth)
Rod Allen Memorial Pro 450	Tom Drane	Cody Lewis (Hunter)	Luke Bush (Hunter)
Pro 250	Thoren Openshaw (Taree)	Jett Carter	Caleb Wilkes (Hunter)
Don Begley Memorial Sliders	James Bevan (Tamworth)	Daniel Wilson (Hunter)
Over 40s	Joshua McCosker (Hunter)	Darren Webb (City of Penrith)	Brett Ryan (Hunter)
Max Troth Golden Helmet Shoot-out	Tom Drane (winner)
Women’s Pro Open	Bree-Anna Etheridge (Kurri Kurri) (winner)

	1st	2nd	3rd
George Watson Memorial Dirt Track Sidecar Open	Corey Forde / Darren Freudenstein (Cowra)	Jarred Marko / Wade Robertson (Gunnedah)	Warrick Levy / Isaac Byrne (Tamworth)
Dirt Track Sidecar Handicap	Corey Forde / Darren Freudenstein (Cowra)	Jarred Marko / Wade Robertson (Gunnedah)	Warrick Levy / Isaac Byrne (Tamworth)

Juniors	1st	2nd	3rd
50cc Auto Div.2 7-U/9	Cohen MocCosker (Hunter)	Quade Pringle (Kurri Kurri)	Oliver Bridge (Central Coast)
65cc 7-U/9	Spencer Doyle (Forbes)	Quad Pringle (Kurri Kurri)	Oliver Bridge (Central Coast)
65cc 9-U/13	Hugo Holmes (Gunnedah)	William Wiggins (Central Coast)	Cade Finn (Hunter)
85cc 4-st Modified 7-U/12	Cohen McCosker (Hunter)	Edward Torrens (Gunnedah)	Evie Wiggins (Central Coast)
85cc 2-st & 150cc 4-st 9-U/13	Hugo Holmes (Gunnedah)	Cooper Blowes (Cowra)	William Wiggins (Central Coast)
2-st & 4-st 13-U/16	Sam Drane (Forbes)	Max Earl (Kurri Kurri)	Gage Gower (Cowra)

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Press Release prepared by Peter Baker 0409 903196; bakerp@westnet.com.au

On behalf of Hunter Motorcycle Club

Dirt Track Legends to be Honoured at the Upcoming Trackmasters

November 21, 2023 Filed Under: Dirt Track, News

The 32nd staging of the Trackmasters motorcycle meeting at the Barleigh Ranch Raceway this Sunday, the 26th of November will honour the memory of four names that have been synonymous with dirt track racing in the Hunter region.

While numbers are down in some classes at the end of a busy calendar of racing, the Hunter Motor Cycle Club has in store, a big day of racing on Sunday with a 77–event programme awaiting us all.

Despite the smaller-than-expected entry list, there is still plenty of quality across classes which should ensure great racing in the major events.

In a big coup for fans among the entries is Forbes teenager Tom Drane who is just back home after finishing second in the season-long AMA Flat Track Singles class in his first full year in the competition, highlighted by winning four rounds.

Three of the senior classes will have a memorial trophy for the winner, and each trophy will remember an identity who has made a significant contribution to the sport.

The Pro 450 class will race for the Rod Allen Memorial, in memory of the man who was the voice of dirt track and speedway commentary in the area for many years. Cody Lewis is the defending champion, and having won this class at the recent Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships at Albury, he will be hard to beat on Sunday.

The inaugural secretary of the Raymond Terrace Motorcycle Club which later became part of the Hunter Motor Cycle Club, Don Begley, is honoured with the trophy for the sliders class and without last year’s winner, a new name will be added to this trophy.

The Dirt Track sidecars have the George Watson Memorial up for grabs honouring the championship-winning dirt track sidecar rider over many years.

The new Australian Dirt Track Sidecar champions Corey Forde and passenger Darren Freudenstein will try to wrap up their stellar year by going one better than in this race last year,with their toughest opposition being the duo of Jarred Marko /Shaun Fuller.

After all the classes of racing have been finalised, the top four from the Unlimited class, plus one additional rider nominated by the club, will then vie for the Max Toth Golden Helmet in a series of match races, with last year’s winner Luke Bush striving to make it back-to-back wins.

Max Toth was a life member of the Wallsend Motor Cycle Club and this trophy was first awarded in 1965 when the Wallsend Club were involved in the promotions at the Heddon Greta Raceway short circuit track for several years up until its conversion to a speedway in the late 1960s. It was then awarded for the Club’s season point score until the Wallsend Club also became part of the present-day Hunter Club.

Other senior riders who are likely to be prominent on Sunday are Central Coast duo Connor Ryan and Peter Smith, Blake Wilby from Tamworth, Jett Carter from Bathurst and local Brayden Gay.

There are plenty of talented young riders entered for the various junior classes, including several who have national championship wins on the board.

Barleigh Ranch is a great venue where fans can take in the entire track and can see the action for a $20 admission charge per car. Practice starts at 9am.

Press Release prepared by Peter Baker 0409 903196; bakerp@westnet.com.au

On behalf of Hunter Motorcycle Club

Thirteen Legends Inducted Into the Motorcycling NSW Hall of Fame

November 14, 2023 Filed Under: News

Thirteen legends of the sport were inducted into the inaugural Motorcycling New South Wales Hall of Fame last Saturday at the 2023 Motorcycling NSW Awards. Held at Bankstown Sports Club, the evening featured the recognition and celebration of some of the most talented riders as well as passionate volunteers, coaches, officials and other volunteers for their performance and contributions towards motorcycling over the past year.

These inaugural inductees have each made extraordinary contributions to motorcycling, demonstrating excellence not only in racing but also in advocacy, innovation, and leadership, helping shape the sport’s future.

Motorcycling NSW, along with everyone who attended this year’s Awards night, were greatly honoured to welcome and induct the following thirteen motorcycling legends into the Hall of Fame, in front of their families and friends:

Troy Corser – Road Race

**Tom Phillis* – Road Race**

Mat Mladin – Road Race

**Arthur ‘Bluey’ Wilkinson* – Speedway**

Stephen Gall – Motocross

**Aub Lawson* – Speedway**

Wayne Gardner AM – Road Race

**Billy Sanders* – Speedway**

Casey Stoner – Road Race

**Eric Hinton* – Road Race**

Kel Carruthers – Road Race

**Lionel Van Praag* – Speedway**

Troy Bayliss – Road Race

*Deceased – recognised posthumously and represented by their family.

The Grand Ballroom at Bankstown Sports Park was filled with smiles, tears and pride last Saturday evening, as they listened to the inspiring stories of each of these inductees, some of whom were posthumously inducted and were represented by their families and friends. Expressing his joy and excitement about this first-of-its-kind occasion for Motorcycling NSW, CEO Daniel Rushworth stated: “Being in such fine company of some of our sport’s greatest names certainly made this year’s Motorcycling NSW Awards one to cherish and remember for years to come. It was our honour inducting these thirteen riders who have given so much to the sport while also bringing home so many laurels within and beyond Australia. I once again thank them all for joining us this year at our Awards night.”

A night to remember for our Motorcycling NSW Community

November 13, 2023 Filed Under: News

In what was a memorable evening for riders, their families, volunteers, officials and many other valuable members of our motorcycling community, this year’s Motorcycling NSW Awards recognised and celebrated some of the most dedicated individuals from among our community for their fantastic efforts in growing the sport.

Held last Saturday, the Community Awards, a vital component of the Motorcycling NSW Awards, featured the acknowledgment of the many unsung heroes, old and young, who have gone above and beyond to support and promote, the experience of motorcycling. by making a positive impact on their local communities throughout the judging period.

The finalists winners from our extensive range of Community Awards were:

Volunteer of the Year

Finalists

Matt Adamson – City of Penrith Motorcycle Club

Denise Dall – Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

Carlie Roberts – Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Darren Saxon – Hunter Motorcycle Club

Jessica Shearer – Far South Coast Motorcycle Club

Mathew Stoneman – Blacktown Junior Minibike Club

Winner: Matt Adamson – City of Penrith Motorcycle Club

Club of the Year

Finalists

Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Penrith Mini Bike Club

St George Motorcycle Club

Winner: Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

President (Chairperson) of the Year

Finalists

Keith Davies – Hunter Motorcycle Club

Rebecca Eade – Dubbo Dirt Bike Club

Jonathan Falzon – Penrith Mini Bike Club

Corey Grono – Maitland District Motorcycle Club

Winner: Rebecca Eade – Dubbo Dirt Bike Club

Administrator of the Year

Finalists

Trevor Bennett – Trials Club of Canberra

Todd Keogh – St George Motorcycle Club

Belinda Quinney – Oakdale Junior Motorcycle Club

Narelle Rankin – North Coast Road Racers

Winner: Narelle Rankin – North Coast Road Racers

Official of the Year

Finalists

Denise Dall – Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

Daniel Morris – Dargle Valley Motorcycle Club Inc

Treena Sargent – Dungog Motorcycle Club

Mark Thompson – Canobolas Motorcycle Club

Winner: Mark Thompson – Canobolas Motorcycle Club

Coach of the Year

Finalists

Leigh Gainfort – Lower Mountains Motorcycle Club

Greg Moss – Cessnock Motorcross Club

Aaron Rankmore – Dubbo Dirt Bike Club

Julian Roberts – Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Winner: Aaron Rankmore – Dubbo Dirt Bike Club

Distinguished Service Award

Maree Kirby – Lower Mountains Motorcycle Club

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Finalists

Ernest Moran – Penrith Minibike Club

Ruby Roberts – Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Dylan Rose – Macarthur Motorcycle Club

Winner: Ruby Roberts – Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Community Club Event of the Year

Finalists

2023 Amcross Series

2023 Ironman MX Series

Baulkham Hills Junior Motorcycle Training Club: Dirt X Series

St George Motorcycle Club: 22/23 Summer Night Series

Winner: St George Motorcycle Club: 22/23 Summer Night Series

Facility/Venue Development of the Year

Finalists

Goulburn Motorcycling Club

Cowra Motorcycle Racing Club

Forbes Auto Sports Club

Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club Inc

Nepean Motor Sports Club

Winner: Nepean Motor Sports Club

Outstanding Community Social Media Account of the Year

Finalists

Blacktown Junior Minibike Club

Cowra Motorcycle Racing Club

Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Winner: Gunnedah Motorcycle Club

Community Club Volunteer of the Year

Damien Coutts – Oakdale Junior Motorcycle Club

Rianna Hart – Penrith Mini Bike Club

Nicole Millard – Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club

Dennis Myers – Vintage Trail Riders Club

Argyro Roula Thimiopoulos – Blacktown Junior Minibike Club

Expressing his satisfaction and appreciation towards all the finalists and winners, Motorcycling NSW CEO Daniel Rushworth said, “All the finalists and winners of the various community awards at the Motorcycling NSW Awards night were truly deserving of their respective recognitions. Their efforts and unconditional support, be it within their respective clubs, at events or on the track, have served as an inspiration for all of us, and I thank and congratulate them for all that they have done and continue to do.”

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Photos from the event will be published on Motorcycling NSW’s Facebook and Instagram pages over the course of the week.

The best of riding talent celebrated at the Motorcycling NSW Awards

November 13, 2023 Filed Under: News

The Grand Ballroom at Bankstown Sports Club came alive last Saturday evening, as over 300 attendees including riders, their well-wishers, volunteers as well as other valued members of our motorcycling community came together to witness and celebrate the highly anticipated 2023 Motorcycling NSW Awards night. Among the many highlights that marked the event was a spectacular celebration of the best riding talents in our state, showcasing and acknowledging their passion towards excellence on the track.

The Rider of the Year Awards had categories across our varying disciplines as well as age categories for both males and females, with all the finalists embodying a superlative record over the past year.

Here are all the finalists and winners from the 2023 Rider of the Year Awards-

Minikhana

Junior Male

Finalists: Jaxon Callander, Endre Hegyi, Ernest Moran, Sam Severino

Winner: Sam Severino

Junior Female

Finalists: Emily Klumpp, Jasmine Murphy Coxhedgge, Lucy Pezzuto, Teegan Stoneman

Winner: Emily Klumpp

Motocross

Junior Male

Finalists: Oli Chandler, Byron Dennis, Cooper Rowe, Ky Woods

Winners: Ky Woods & Cooper Rowe

Junior Female

Finalists: Stella Harding, Mia Kazzi, Syra Perry, Mia Tongue

Winner: Mia Tongue

Open Male

Finalists: Luke Clout, Matt Moss, Josh Whitehead, Dylan Willis

Winner: Matt Moss

Open Female

Finalists: Tasmyn Bendall, Keira Collins, Taylor Thompson

Winner: Taylor Thompson

Senior Male

Finalists: Michael Berry, Andrew Firle, Bradley Newton, Gavin Wise

Winner: Bradley Newtown

Road Race

Junior Male

Finalists: Cameron Dunker, Marcus Hamod, Jonathan Nahlous, Joshua Newman

Winner: Cameron Dunker

Open Male

Finalists: Glenn Allerton, Josh Brookes, Cru Halliday, Jacob Roulstone, Alex Stauffer

Winner: Josh Brookes

Open Female

Finalists: Demi Atkins, Sarah Batten, Leanne Nelson

Winner: Demmi Atkins

Senior Male

Finalists: Andrew Burley, Michael Cole

Winner: Andrew Burley

Supermoto

Open Male

Finalists: Loic Barbot, Dominic Fletcher

Winner: Dominic Fletcher

Trial

Junior Male

Finalists: Rhys Brian, Mackenzie Hall, William Hutchinson, Owen Sandell-Hay

Winner: Rhys Brian

Open Male

Finalists: Bradley Bryant, Jonathan Chellas, Kyle Middleton

Winner: Kyle Middleton

Open Female

Finalist: Kaitlyn Cummins

Winner: Kaitlyn Cummins

Senior Male

Finalists: Luke Anderson, Toby Coleman, Martin O’Connor

Winner: Toby Coleman

Senior Female

Finalist: Michelle Coleman

Winner: Michelle Coleman

Enduro

Junior Male

Finalists: Kai Austin, Ryder Burchell, Zane Burchell, Bradley Rayner

Winner: Bradley Rayner

Junior Female

Finalists: Tia Bowers, Jade Chellas, Amity Cork, Jessie Harris

Winner: Jade Chellas

Open Male

]Finalists: Luke Chellas, William Dennett, Joshua Green, Jett Yarnold

Winner: William Dennett

Open Female

Finalists: Ariana Collins, Jessica Gardiner, Emelie Karlsson, Courtney Rubie

Winner: Jessica Gardiner

Senior Male

Finalists: Robert Dummer, Darren Lloyd, David Pratten, Justin Seymour

Winner: Darren Lloyd

Speedway

Junior Male

Finalists: Alex Adamson, Cooper Antone, Beau Bailey, Noah Grabham

Winner: Alex Adamson

Open Male

Finalists: Jason Doyle, Chris Holder, Jack Holder, James Pearson

Winner: Jack Holder

Dirt Track

Junior Male

Finalists: Blake Fairey, Jed Fyffe, Hugo Holmes, Cohen McCosker

Winner: Hugo Holmes

Junior Female

Finalists: Skyann Davis, Rhegan Jaeger, Amelia Kotze, Katarna Robinson

Winner: Amelia Kotze

Open Male

Finalists: Grant Charnock, Jordan Dall, Mathew Griffiths, Daniel Wicks

Winner: Daniel Wicks

Open Female

Finalists: Ashlea Bates, Bree-Anna Etheridge, Sharnelle Sippel

Winner: Sharnelle Sippel

Senior Male

Finalists: Kenny Angel, Benjamin Gordon, Marty McNamara, John Yarnold

Winner: Kenny Angel

Motorcycling NSW CEO Daniel Rushworth partook in the excitement of the Rider of the Year awards stating, “Tonight’s Motorcycling NSW Awards was more than just a celebration of riding excellence; it was a reflection of the dedication and passion that drives each of these riders. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all finalists and winners of the various performance awards, urging them to continue on their path to being the very best in our favourite sport.”

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Photos from the event will be published on Motorcycling NSW’s Facebook and Instagram pages over the course of the week.

Looking back at this year’s 500cc U21 & 250cc U16 NSW Speedway Championships

November 8, 2023 Filed Under: News, Speedway, State Championship

One rider from Queensland and one from New South Wales took the honours at this year’s 500cc U21 & 250cc U16 NSW Speedway Championships held at the Nepean Raceway last Saturday.

In an exciting final of the Under 21 Championship, Queensland Jacob Hook stalked local rider James Pearson from the start and finally pulled off a great pass on the final lap to claim the top spot on the rostrum. Following them home were two other local riders Harrison Ryan, who had joined the top duo as a direct qualifier for the decider, and Bradley whose consistent riding led to him winning the B Final.

Both Hook and Pearson have just returned from a full season of racing overseas while their final opponents have so far only raced at home.

Heat points

Pearson (NSW)- 14
Hook (Qld)- 13
Ryan (NSW)- 12
Page (NSW)- 11
Hall (Qld)- 9
Whalley (Qld)- 9
Zischke (Qld)- 8
Hayes (NSW)- 6
White (NSW)- 4

B Final

B. Page 1. B.Whalley 2. T.Zischke 3. B.Hall. 4

A Final

J.Hook 1. J. Pearson 2. H. Ryan 3. B.Page 4.

In the Under 16 250cc Championship, Noah Grabham triumphed in a closely fought decider to hold off Queenslander Jordy Loftus, with Beau Bailey managing to claim third after he inconvenienced himself at the start before hauling in Lachlan Russell late in the race.

Heat points

Grabham (NSW). 13
Bailey (NSW). 13
Loftus (Qld). 10
Russell (NSW). 9
Muddle (Qld). 7
Loftus (Qld). 5
Hawgood (Qld). 2
Roberts (NSW). 0.

B Final

L.Russell 1. V.Muddle 2. A.Loftus 3. L.Hawgood 4.

A Final

N.Grabham 1. J.Loftus 2. B.Bailey. 3. L.Russell. 4.

Both Championships showed that there is some great young talent coming through the ranks in New South Wales and Queensland which augers well for the future of the sport. The Nepean complex looked in fine shape at present and despite some rain falling during the programme, the track remained good to allow the racing to continue.

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Report prepared by Peter Baker