Friday, 14 August 2009 10:39
Friday 10.30am
We're just outside Tabulam. Ralphie's a maniac driver!
Check in after lunch for track conditions and updates.
TF
Friday 5.30pm
We've been out and walked the track (it took two fricken hours) and there's fast lines everywhere. By that I mean bits and pieces which aren't bunted and will allow straight-lining through sections the organisers obviously intended to be twisty. Whether or not the riders stay on the line or find shortcuts, the track is a real speed course. The fast guys are going to running with the throttles wide open for most of the track. There are no real tight or technical sections.
The terrain is rocky - big, boulder-size rocks - but the trails are mostly rocky sand. Here's what it looks like:
It should scour away and leave a lot of rock showing from underneath, I think. Dan reckons front-end grip will be dodgy. If lack of bunting's not enough, check this bunch of arrows...
Dan did his best to try and clear some fast lines...
When we arrived the Husky team truck was open, and Chris Hollis 2010 model TC250 was sitting in the back. There was no-one around, so I snapped a couple of pics. Here it is...
The motor looks tiny. The most amazing thing is the air shock. Check this out!
No spring. Crikey. Chris Hollis told me the whole bike works well. He'd hardly say anything else, I suppose.
Stefan Merriman was lolling around as well. He said he feels fit and strong. AJ's out with a shoulder broken during the Safari, so Merriman looks the hot ticket.
In a minor setback, there's no Telstra coverage at the track, so instead of blogging during the day, I'll have to just do a summary tomorrow night. Log on at around 6.00pm and I'll try and have Pro results and some photos up here.
Until then, here's some video of how Ralphie goes about remembering various sections of the track.
Until tomorrow,
TF
Saturday 6.00pm
In a day of dust and discontent, Toby Price took his first AORC win from a rejuvenated Chris Hollis with Jarrod Bewley filling the podium.
Watch the video for Toby’s view of the race in his own words. Hollis looked a different rider on the TC250. He shone with confidence.
Rumour of course-cutting was rife after the first few morning sessions, and it didn’t take long for dust to become a problem. Peter Boyle snotted a tree on the first lap but continued riding through the dizziness and nausea to finish eighth, Stefan Merriman could only manage an uncharacteristic sixth, and Josh Green crushed a chain guide on the final lap, smashing his year wheel and preventing him completing the final session. The Dynamite Motorsport boys, Nick Beattie and Dan Ralph finished 18th and 19th respectively.
Racing was interrupted when a long ambulance call had everyone sitting around for an hour so and reducing the intended eight laps to seven.
Even with a Merriman win tomorrow, the title will still be decided at Young.
Hoo-aah!
Other class winners:
Pro Championship Enduro 1: Chris Hollis
Pro Championship Enduro 2: Toby Price
Pro Championship Enduro 3: Geoff Braico
Expert Enduro 1: Lachlan Stanford
Expert Enduro 2/3: Daniel Milner
Expert Championship Vets: Stuart Bennett
Expert Outright: Daniel Milner
Clubman Vets: Wayne Winston
Clubmen Enduro: Thomas Clark
Clubman Enduro 1: Dylan Rose
Clubman Womens: Jemma Wilson
Clubman Outright: Dylan Rose
Junior 9-11 years: Nic Tomlinson
Junior 2 12-13 years: Mitch Kellner
Junior 3 14-15years: Jordan Sargent
Junior Lites 13-14 years: Travis Cooper
Junior Lites 15 years: Ben Burrell
Junior Outright: Ben Burrell
Pics from around the ground...
Tomorrow's track is way tight and technical. I'll try and get results up from the car on the way home, but there's not reception until we hit Casino. Check in at around 6.00pm. TF
Monday morning.
Sorry folks, bolted fromt the track as soon as racing finished. Here's the official wrap-up from the promoter's press release:
Price takes second AORC win, Hutton claims E1 class
A stellar performance this weekend has meant 22-year-old Toby Price will go into the final two rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) just five-points behind current leader, Stefan Merriman.
Price, from Singleton (NSW), took his second consecutive Outright win at round eight of the championship held today at Cherrabah Resort, near Warwick.
“I’m stoked. It’s been an awesome weekend, the whole team’s put in a good effort and it’s got us up front,” Price, of the MSC Kawasaki Off-Road Team, said.
“You can’t ask for better than that and we’re all over the moon with it.
“The track today was tight and technical and I really thought the 250cc’s would have had an advantage.
“But I’ve taken to it pretty good and just have to try and stay smooth and consistent for the final two rounds at Young next month.”
Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha rider, Jarrod Bewley, came the closest to Price today, finishing second Outright and in Championship E2 by 17-seconds.
Bewley’s teammate, 36-year-old Queenslander ‘King Kirk' Hutton, was also on the gas, riding his 250cc four-stroke to first in Championship E1 and third Outright.
“Everything was clicking this weekend and I felt like I was riding really strong,” Hutton said.
“I was relaxed in my home state, I didn’t have to drive a long time. Things were working really good for me this weekend, so I was really stoked with my result.
“I basically just want to go into [the final rounds at Young] and get the best result I can.
“I’m seven-points behind Ben Kearney for the E1 class lead now so I’ll ride my hardest, try and be relaxed and have fun on the bike.”
In Championship E3 it was KTM rider Geoff Braico who again claimed the top podium position, winning the class by more than one-minute.
“I had a good day... just tried to stay on the bike and stay consistent, I didn’t want to crash - I hurt myself yesterday,” Braico said.
“I really want to [win the E3 class title] for myself and all my sponsors, they’ve been with me for a long time.
“I also want to make sure people think E3 riders can be up there in the Outright, so that’s what I’m striving for. I’m really looking forward to [the final rounds at Young].”
Rounding out the top-10 Outright today was Ben Kearney (Motorex KTM), Stefan Merriman (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha), Chris Hollis (Husqvarna Racing), Josh Green (MSC Kawasaki), Shannon Lewry (Husaberg), Geoff Braico and Damian Smith (High Roller KTM).
In the Expert ranks, Daniel Milner took out the Outright and E2/3 honors. Expert E1 was won by Lachlan Stanford.
Yamaha riders Jemma Wilson, Geoff Ballard and Stuart Bennett were again the fastest in Championship Women’s, Master’s and Veteran’s respectively.
Dylan Rose was the quickest Clubman, winning the category Outright and the E1 class. Thomas Clark was victorious in Clubman E2/3.
Wayne Winston took out Clubman Veteran’s. His son, Casey, was the quickest Junior Lites 13 to 14-years.
In Junior Lites 15-years and Junior Outright, Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha racer Benjamin Burrell won the top prize.
The remaining Junior winners were: Nic Tomlinson (Junior Class 1, nine to 11-years), Nicholas Lean (class 2, 12 to 13-years) and Liam Clover (class 3, 14 to 15-years).
For full results from today, championship point’s after today’s round, a video compilation and pics, go to www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
The final two rounds of the 2009 AORC will be held at Young (NSW) on September 12th and 13th.
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