Host club member David Smith became the most successful rider in the history of the Central Coast Cup, when he won the Senior Cup for a record-breaking fourth time last Sunday, September 10.  Two days of top-quality closely-contested action took over the proceedings at the Allen Park track over the weekend, across all classes that were a part of the event.

The MX Open final was won by defending Senior Cup winner Luke Bush ahead of fellow young guns Blake Wilby and Cody Lewis – a result that fired up David Smith after he copped a few severe checks in running. 

Next up Smith won the Pro 450 final, with Wilby and Lewis again in the minor placings.

The 8-lap Senior Cup final was dominated by Smith who registered an emphatic victory, while most eyes were fixed on the contest for minor placings – the latter which was resolved only at the last corner when Brayden Gay pulled off a stunning pass to grab second place ahead of Bush, Lewis, Jayden Rodgers and Angus Hutchinson.

The Pro 250 class had earlier produced a win for Angus Hutchinson.

The Over 35s again turned on their shares of thrills, with Anthony Farrell outpointing Josh McCosker after close battles in all five rounds.

While Sharnelle Sipple was the only entrant for the Pro Women’s class, she raced among the Over 35s and clearly enjoyed some of her battles.

There was always going to be a new name inscribed on the honour roll for the Junior Cup, with a great number of very promising young talents vying for the title. Gold Coast rider Bodie Paige got to the lead early in the 8-lap Junior Cup race and although Lachlan Russell stayed close to him for several laps, Paige was ultimately a clear winner. Jayden Holder, Max Earl, James Wood and Hugh Hope-Hodgetts followed Paige and Russell home.

Bodie Paige had earlier won the 4-stroke class for the 13 – Under 16s while Jayden Holder took home the 2-stroke class.

The most dominant rider on the weekend was the recently crowned Australian champion Cohen McCosker (7-U/9s) who won all three classes he entered, winning in all five rounds in each of those classes despite a few close battles.

Even with a small field, the junior girls’ races were as good as any action on the weekend and it took an overtaking move by Holly Hope-Hodgetts late in the last round to get the better of Amelia Kotze and recent Australian champion Romee Flewell-Smith.

Other junior class winners were Jake Paige, Hayden Duggan, Jed Fyffe and Zac Brady, with plenty of long-distance travellers taking home pieces of silverware.

Saturday’s program wrapped up with a series of Shoot-Out one-lap dashes for both seniors and juniors. The winners were David Smith and Bodie Paige in what was an omen for bigger successes for both on Sunday.

Press Release prepared by Peter Baker 0409 903196; bakerp@westnet.com.au on behalf of Central Coast Junior Motor Cycle Club

The 2023 Central Coast Cup is coming your way this weekend on September 9 and 10. The Long Track event will be held at the Allen Park track at Somersby, near Gosford.

Riders to watch out for

Since its inception in 2005, the Central Coast Cup meeting has established itself as one of the major non-championship meetings on the dirt track calendar. There have been many significant riders in the sport who have their names on the honour roll of winners in both the senior and junior (13 to U/ 16s) editions of the event.

Host club member David Smith has a chance to claim the most ever wins in the history of the Central Coast cup, an honour he currently shares with Queenslander Jace Castles with three wins each. Hunter Club rider Luke Bush is the defending champion and will be striving to become only the second rider ever to win the event in successive years.

There could well be a different rider standing atop the rostrum after the 8-lap final, with a number of serious contenders including the likes of former Junior Cup winner Grant Charnock from Forbes who recently secured a class win and a third placing at the Australian Senior Track Championships. Kurri Kurri duo Cody Lewis and Angus Hutchinson, Brayden Gay and Jacob Richardson from the Hunter, Tamworth’s Blake Wilby, another host club rider Peter Smith and former Speedway star Taylor Poole all come with good credentials as well.

There is only a small field for the Junior Cup, with Queensland visitor Bodie Paige throwing out a challenge to Hugh Hope-Hodgetts from Forbes, Jayden Holder from Kempsey, Max Earl from Newcastle and local Lachlan Russell. 

The other junior classes will feature a number of riders who were successful at the Australian Junior Track Championships held in July, including champions Jake Paige (9-U/13s) from Queensland, Cohen McCosker (7-U/9s) from the Hunter and the two female champions Romee Flewell-Smith from Queensland and host club rider Amelia Kotze.

Many of the riders contesting the Senior Cup will also feature in the MX Open and Pro 450 classes, scheduled to culminate in a final after five rounds of heats.

Another class to watch out for is the Over 35s which has always witnessed some close racing.

Event Format & Additional Information

Action fires up on Saturday morning with practice followed by three rounds of racing for all classes, before the Clock on the Wall KO format for both seniors and juniors in the afternoon. Sunday action gets underway at 10 am with two more rounds and finals of all classes, before the 8-lap finals of both the Junior and then Senior Cup.

Entry fee for spectators this weekend will be $10 per vehicle payable at the gate as a tax-deductible donation to the St Johns First Aid.

The Allen Park track is situated at Debenham Road North, Somersby.

For more information about the Central Coast Junior Motor Cycle Club, visit their website or contact Club President David Smith on 0412 506 503 or Col Adams 0422 573 923.

Press Release prepared by Peter Baker 0409 903196; bakerp@westnet.com.au on behalf of Central Coast Junior Motor Cycle Club