A superbly prepared track gave the youngsters plenty of opportunity to come from behind at the Australian Junior Track Championships held over the weekend at Barleigh Ranch Raceway. Hosted by the Hunter Motorcycle Club, hardly a race on the 103-event programme failed to produce some, if not multiple, overtaking manoeuvres at different points on the track.
A highly entertaining four rounds of heats more than just prepared onlookers for all the action produced in the final series of races.
The two girls’ classes featured five rounds each, and the last round of the 85cc 2str / 150cc 4str 11 – U/16 class proved to be a final in all but names like Amelia Kotze and Matilda Heaton-New were equal on points going into the race where Heaton-New led but was passed by Kotze who took the honours.
Amazingly in the eight classes that were decided by a final, after four rounds of heats, only twice did the top point scorer from heats go on to win the final.
What was more prevalent in the finals was excitement, drama and plenty of overtaking moves including several races that were only resolved in the dash to the flag after five hectic laps.
The 50cc Auto 7 – U/9 class saw George Holmkvist beat top qualifier Braxsen Anderson to the flag by 25 one-thousands of a second, making it the closest of all finishes.
Cohen McCosker in the 65cc 7 – U/9 class, who was also the top scorer, went on to win the final with a thrilling finish in the final corner to get to the lead.
In the other 65cc class for 9 – U/13s, it was Jed Fyffe who lowered the colours of the top qualifier Hugo Holmes. The former made it a double by winning the 85cc 4-str Modified 7-U/12 class, with Holmes finishing fourth in the final despite being the top qualifier.
The older age groups attracted plenty of interest with many of these riders heading into the senior ranks in the near future. In the 85cc 2str / 150cc 4str 12 –U16 class Riley Nauta claimed the first of his class wins before then taking out the 100 – 150cc 2str 13 – U/16 class.
The 200 – 250cc 4str 13 – U/16 class, the premier class in junior competition featuring among the oldest riders on thew biggest bikes, saw local rider Cameron Dunker holding off Bodie Paige for the last few laps.
Recap prepared by Peter Baker