The 2016 Chris Watson Motorcycles Yamaha Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships, supported by the Port Stephens Council, lived up to expectations as the nation‰Ûªs best riders turned on two days of superb action at the Barleigh Ranch Raceway over the weekend.
Two standout performers emerged ‰ÛÒ one the most dominant performer in recent years and the other a teenager destined for many more successes.
Luke Richards from Singleton added another two class wins firstly defending his Pro Open class ahead of Hunter veteran Paul Caslick, while Kurri‰Ûªs Brody Nowlan snatched third from Canberra rider Ian Hamilton on the line.
Richards then had to wait for the last race when he regained the premier Pro 450 class by holding off Mildura rider Nicholas Waters, Gunnedah surprise packet Daniel Wicks and Nowlan.
In between North Brisbane teenager Jarred Brook won his first senior title but turned it in to a triple treat before racing finished.
Brook started with the Pro 250 class heading Adelaide rider Ty Lynch, local Lachlan Ellis and Waters.
The most satisfying victory for Brook came in the MX Open where he led home Richards, another former champion Marty McNamara of Gunnedah and local teenager Max Croker.
Brook not surprisingly won the Under 19s class from Central Coast 16-year-old Hayden Spinks, defending champion Lynch, and Croker.
The biggest field ever assembled for the Womens class added to the quality action with Kurri teenager Keegan Pickering taking the honours ahead of defending champion Briony Hendrickson of North Brisbane, Coffs Harbour‰Ûªs Amy Wedd and Leanne Nelson of Canberra.
The sidecar class was decided by a final which included four previous champions.
Maryborough rider David Grainger is back on top 12 years after his previous win with passenger Trevor Gaze by beating Canberra duo Corey Banks and passenger Ian Hamilton, another Maryborough duo Jack Weston and Matthew Doyle and Brisbane brothers Adam and Graham Liebke.
Honours were shared in the two ATV classes with Hunter rider Matthew Griffiths successfully defending the Pro class ahead of Ayr rider Daniel Craig, but Craig reversed the placings in the Open class, both times with Adelaide rider Mel Brandle in third place.
Three junior support classes gave fans a look at some of the up-and-coming stars and the youngsters got a close look at what lies ahead for them.
Kurri riders won each class ‰ÛÒ Cameron Dunker, Ryan Smith and Billy Van Erde. Oliver Bayliss was second in his class by finishing all races and not falling ‰ÛÒ something his world champion father Troy did not do with several falls on Saturday leading to his withdrawal from the final round.
Main Photo: Womens champion Keegan Pickering
