News

MNSW Appoints Jon Lefebvre as the New Operations Manager – Commercial

January 24, 2024 Filed Under: News

Motorcycling NSW (MNSW) is delighted to share exciting news regarding a pivotal addition to the MNSW team. Following an extensive recruitment process, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Lefebvre as our new Operations Manager – Commercial.

Jon emerged as the standout candidate, possessing a combination of business management, stakeholder management, consumer trends and behaviour, partnerships, sports marketing and media.

Jon brings a wealth of experience to MNSW, having worked in various capacities within the commercial and sporting industries. Most notably these experiences include working with both MotoGP and WSBK. His extensive background positions him as an invaluable asset to our organisation.

This appointment aligns with our ongoing commitment to excellence and strategic growth, as outlined in the current MNSW Strategic Plan. Jon’s expertise will play a pivotal role in executing key initiatives outlined in the plan, focusing on enhancing commercial aspects and operations.

MNSW CEO Daniel Rushworth expressed his confidence in Jon’s ability to contribute to the organisation’s success. He stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Jon Lefebvre to the MNSW team. His proven track record, coupled with his strategic mindset, makes him the perfect fit for the role. Jon’s appointment is a strategic move in line with our ongoing efforts to elevate our commercial operations and achieve the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan.”

The current MNSW Strategic Plan outlines clear goals for advancing our organisation’s capabilities, fostering industry partnerships, and providing enhanced value to our members. Jon’s appointment is a testament to our commitment to attracting top-tier talent and aligning our team with the objectives laid out in the plan.

On being appointed to the Operations Manager – Commercial position at MNSW Jon added “Motorcycling has always been a part of my life, so having the opportunity to combine this with my career in Sports Marketing & Media is very exciting. I’m thrilled to be joining Daniel and the amazing team at Motorcycling NSW and look forward to utilising my experiences to assist in championing MNSW’s strategy into the future.”

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Jon and wishing him success in his new role. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Jon directly, please feel free to reach out via jl@motorcycling.com.au

2024 NSW Off Road Series – Mark Your Calendars

January 23, 2024 Filed Under: Enduro, News, State Championship

Ten riveting rounds await Off Road enthusiasts this year at the 2024 NSW Off Road series, with the first two rounds coming our way on the 4th and 5th of May. The much-awaited series will span over four weekends, with the final two rounds concluding on a Day/Night Saturday of Enduro X, with each round held during the day and night respectively.

Round Details

Rounds 1 & 2 – 4th & 5th May | Venue: Appin | Format: Enduro X/Cross Country

Rounds 3 & 4 – 22nd & 23rd June | Venue & Format TBA

Rounds 5 & 6 – 17th & 18th August | Venue: Kempsey | Format: Cross Country/Sprint

Rounds 7 & 8 – 14th & 15th September (held in conjunction with AORC rounds 11 & 12) | Venue: Nowra | Format: Sprint

Rounds 9 & 10 – 12th October | Venue: Gresford | Format: Enduro-X Day/Night event

Venue Information

The venues for all rounds 3 & 4 will be announced and shared on MNSW’s social media channels and website in due course of time, along with additional information about the series.

Central Coast Opens NSW’s 2024 Dirt Track Season This February

January 23, 2024 Filed Under: Dirt Track, News

The Central Coast Junior Motor Cycle Club will stage the first open dirt track meeting for 2024 this Sunday, February 25 with the first ever Somersby Super TT meeting at their Somersby track.

A smaller than anticipated entry list has meant it will be only a one-day meeting, but for both riders and spectators, the event will be something that has not been seen at the track before. The TT meeting will have the riders taking on a jump on their way around the 580-metre track – a feature that has long been prevalent in flat track racing in the USA and has more recently been introduced in Australia.

The jump will add another interesting component to the racing, as will the longer races than at regular meetings.

David Smith from the host club and Hunter rider Luke Bush, the two most recent winners of the Central Coast Cup, the club’s prestigious annual meeting, will be on hand on Sunday and like all their rivals it will be interesting to see whether they are effective when the jumps come in to play.

While the number of entries received from senior riders was short of expectations with some presumably saving themselves for the annual Bathurst Long Track meeting the following weekend, numbers in the junior age brackets are strong.

From the youngest riders through to those who will be heading into the senior ranks in the near future, all the juniors will relish the challenge of the TT track.

Queensland teenager Riley Nauta is the best credentialed junior entry and he will have a busy day as he will contest three classes of competition riding three different bikes. Nauta already has enjoyed plenty of success on dirt track, he has sampled TT racing at other tracks and he has also ventured in to road racing over the past two years.

Practice gets underway at 9.30am on Sunday.

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

On behalf of Central Coast Junior Motor Cycle Club

2024 NSW MX State Titles – All you need to know

January 4, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News, State Championship

Three exhilarating rounds await you this year at the 2024 NSW Motocross State Titles, commencing this March. Set to host some of the state’s best and brightest MX talent as well as riders from other states, this year will feature both junior and senior riders in each of these rounds – a change in format from last year.

Round 1 of the State Titles will be hosted by Lake Macquarie Motor Bike Club on Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th of March, with the club’s fantastic track located at 24 Cessnock Rd, Ryhope boasting of a rich history of hosting a great range of MX events in the past.

After a thoroughly successful hosting of last year’s final round of the Junior MX State Titles, Hastings Valley Motorcycle Club return to host round 2 of the State Titles on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th of April. Located on 60 Cowarra Access Rd, Wauchope, the fifty-two-year-old club saw close to 165 riders participate in the junior round last year.

Wagga Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club will be proud hosts of the final round of this year’s State Championships, with the club looking forward to bearing witness to all the action on Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9. Having hosted the memorable King of MX State Final two years ago, the exciting track at 72 Cloughs Rd, Yarragundry is sure to engage and challenge riders from far and wide to give it their all at the weekend.

Event Format

For this year’s Motocross State Championships, the following classes are offered-

Juniors

7/u9 50cc Division 2
7/u10 65cc
10/u12 65cc
9/u12 85cc/150cc 4 stroke (Standard Wheel)
12/u16 85cc/150cc 4 stroke (Standard & Big Wheel)
12/u16 Girls 85cc/150cc 4 stroke (Standard & Big Wheel)
13/u16 100cc – 125cc 2 stroke
13/u16 128cc to 150cc 2st – 200cc to 250cc 4 stroke
13/u16 Years Junior Girls 100cc – 150cc 2 stroke & 250cc 4 stroke

Seniors

MX 1 A & B GRADES 122cc and over
MX 2 A & B GRADES up to 250cc
C Grade LITES MX2
C Grade OPEN MX1
MX 3 14 YRS TO U/18YRS 122CC TO 150CC 2ST & 250CC 4 ST
MXW WOMENS CLASS All Powers
VETS OVER 35 YEARS All Powers

Both seniors and juniors classes will have a schedule that sees them ride on both days of each round – another change in format for riders to keep in mind.

Supp Regs

Supp Regs of the much-awaited State Championship can be viewed here

Motorcycling NSW – Office Closures

December 22, 2023 Filed Under: News

As we wrap up the year with a well-deserved holiday break, we would like to remind you all that our office will be closed from the 21st of December, reopening on the 4th of January 2024.

All of us at Motorcycling NSW would like to thank you for all your unwavering support and commitment towards our sport that ensured that we all had a year to remember in more ways than one, on and off the track. We wish you and your family a wonderful and safe holiday period and look forward to seeing you enjoy all that 2024 has to offer!

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