Junior dirt track riders will have their last shot at championship glory for this year when the 2022 Honda Coastal Motorcycle Centre New South Wales Junior Track Championship meeting is staged at the Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club track this Sunday (November 27).
The Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club track is at Debenham Road North, Somersby.
This meeting was called off back in October due to the big wet and that has resulted in a smaller entry list from all across New South Wales and a small contingent coming from north of the border trying to maintain an impressive record of Queensland riders in the event.
Fans should never be deterred from watching junior racing as the riders are not just ‘tomorrow’s stars’, many are already accomplished racers 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.
Perfect example is that previous Australian or State Championships staged at Somersby 10 or 15 years ago have included the likes of Jack Miller, Remy Gardner and Joel Kelso who flew the Australian flag at Phillip Island in the recent 2022 Oz Moto GP meeting.
The likes of future world champions Casey Stoner and speedway duo Chris Holder and Jason Doyle also raced at Central Coast Junior Club events as part of their apprenticeship in the sport.
Dirt track racing continues to be a nursey for road racing and speedway, as well as some showing an interest in flat track racing in the USA.
Best credentialed entrants this Sunday are Hugh Hope-Hodgetts – providing he can escape from flooded Forbes – and Gunnedah rider Hugo Holmes who both have Australian Championship victories this year.
Queenslanders Theo Afeaki and Riley Nauta have been impressive at previous appearances at the Somersby track and are likely to be battling for honours on Sunday.
Riders aged between seven and 16 will chase championship honours including Albury-Wodonga rider Cooper Antone whose most recent outings have snared wins in both the Victorian and New South Wales Under 16 125cc Speedway Championships.
Honours in the 13 – Under 16s, which is the next group to head in to the senior ranks, may be decided between North Coast riders Thoren Openshaw of Taree and Jayden Holder of Kempsey.
Competitors will have a practice session after Rider’s Briefing at 9.30am. There are 70 events programmed for the day.
Fans can see the action for a $10 per vehicle entry fee as a donation to St John First Aid.
Submitted by Peter Baker – On behalf of Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club