Junior dirt track riders will have their first chance for championship glory in 2024 when the New South Wales Junior Dirt Track Championship gets underway this weekend, hosted by the Kurri Kurri Junior Motorcycle Club at their Loxford Park track.
Fans should never be deterred from watching junior racing as the riders are not just ‘tomorrow’s stars’, many are already accomplished racers – as evidenced by the quality of recent racing – and many could well be destined for higher honours even on the world stage.
That is one great aspect of watching junior racing – you never know where the riders you are watching will be in five, 10 or 15 years’ time.
A huge entry list has been received including a strong contingent from interstate – many of whom travelled to the Casey Stoner Cup meeting on Easter Saturday as preparation for the title showdown.
Many of the 10 championship classes will be decided over four rounds of heats, a repechage and then a final, while some classes will be decided over five rounds where every placing and every point will be counted toward determining the new champion.
Dirt track racing continues to be a nursery for other forms of motorcycle racing and that is evidenced by the entry of a contingent of teenagers who are now focusing primarily on speedway, as well as one rider who has sampled flat track racing in the USA.
Albury-Wodonga rider Cooper Antone has made great strides in speedway but his most recent dirt track meetings show that he should still be prominent this weekend.
In the 13 – Under 16s, which is the next group to head in to the senior ranks, Beau Bailey from Grenfell, Alex Adamson from Penrith and Central Coast rider Lachlan Russell all had plenty of dirt track success before concentrating on speedway, but they will not have an easy path to success.
Forbes rider Sam Drane has already raced in the US and he is looking to follow in the tyre tracks of older brother Tom who is racing in the AMA Flat Track Championship.
Another rider to watch is Queenslander Cooper Archibald who has been prominent on previous visits, while the rapidly improving local rider Max Earl continues to impress.
The younger age brackets include a number of riders who already have championship successes in their resumes and the poise and confidence of these youngsters belie their age and years of experience.
Among them are some bright hopes among the local brigade with Cohen McCosker and Braxsen Anderson trying to build on previous successes.
A Rider’s Briefing will take place at 9.00am on Saturday with practice to follow and then in to the first round of competition. On Sunday, race action will get under way at 9.30am.
Fans can see the action for a $5 per vehicle entry fee.
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Submitted by Peter Baker on behalf of Kurri Kurri Junior Motorcycle Club