Riders and spectators travelled from around Australia to Barleigh Ranch over the weekend, with Hunter Motorcycle Club hosting an extensive list of riders across different classes at this year’s Australian Senior Track Championship. Two days of electrifying action culminated with the finals of the classes with bigger entry lists, while those classes decided over five point-scoring rounds still had plenty to be resolved in their final rounds.
The massive entry list for the MX Open and Pro 450 classes sorted out the top ten riders to progress directly into the decider, while the next ten in line had to engage in a cut-throat repechage.
The outcome of the MX Open final backed up the form from the heats, with host club rider Harrison Ryan winning the final from Daniel Wicks after both had been unbeaten in their heats, while Queenslander Cyshan Weale finished third.
The Pro 450 class bore a resemblance to the final qualifiers. Cyshan Weale was the only unbeaten rider in the heats, eventually going on to win the final, with Daniel Wicks having to settle for second and Grant Charnock finishing third after Harrison Ryan made a poor start and battled to finish sixth.
The bare results do not do justice to the performances of a number of others, including the likes of more experienced campaigners like Jordan Dall from Gunnedah and Tom Yarnold from Cessnock as well as younger talents like teenager Lucas Quinn who travelled from Townsville as well as Hunter area riders Connor Ryan, Luke Bush and Cody Lewis all qualifying for both of those finals.
Several withdrawals from the Pro 250 class included the 2022 champion Cody Lewis who had sold his machine. These withdrawals meant that this class was to be decided over five rounds – an outcome that provided several significant features. Grant Charnock dominated winning all rounds, including a charge through the field in one, while the minor placings were only resolved at the end. Adelaide teenager Kyle Machin made his trip worthwhile when he claimed second ahead of Bathurst teenager Jett Carter who was riding in his first senior meeting.
North Brisbane rider Briony Hendrickson emulated Charnock by winning all rounds of the Pro Open Women’s class, with Victorians completing the rostrum. Consistency handed Kelsey Jensen second ahead of defending champion Tayla Street who did well to claim third after a fall in one outing.
Jarred Marko/Shaun Fuller claimed their biggest success with an emphatic victory in the final of the Up to 1100cc Sidecar class. Although unbeaten in the heats, Corey Forde/Darren Fraudenstein managed only third in the final as Jim Jobling/Tom Northey overcame some initial mechanical problems to claim second.
The ATV Open final produced a fitting finale to the two days of racing when equal top qualifier Matthew Griffiths was a clear last over 50 metres, before storming through to take the honours ahead of brother Joshua Griffiths and Queenslander John Sherlock.
Benjamin Gordon (Over 35s) and Joshua Griffiths (ATV 450cc) won the senior support classes while junior winners were Thoren Openshaw, Hugo Holmes and local Cohen McCosker.
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Press Release prepared by Peter Baker 0409 903196; bakerp@westnet.com.au
On behalf of Hunter Motorcycle Club