It‰Ûªs on again this weekend ‰ÛÒ probably the biggest motorsport event on the Central Coast this year in terms of the number of competitors and its prestige.
The 2016 Honda / Tumut Motorcycle Accessories Central Coast Cup meeting for motorcycle track racing has again attracted some of Australia‰Ûªs most exciting dirt track racers who will converge on the Allen Park track at Debenham Road North, Somersby.
Over 110 riders and almost 200 machines will be in the pits for action which starts at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29.
The Central Coast Cup meeting has in its short history established itself as one of the major non-championships meetings on the dirt track calendar.
One reason for the on-going significance of the meeting is the honour roll of winners in both the senior and junior (13 to Under 16s) classes since its inception in 2005.
The senior class has invariably been won by previous, or future, Australian champions and even a future world champion.
Competition in the senior class should again be red-hot this weekend with host club rider
David Smith defending his hard-earned 2015 victory.
The most successful rider in the history of the event, Jace Castles from Brisbane is back seeking a fourth win, while
Sean McLellan will be out to add to his distinction of being the first rider to win both the junior and senior class.
Another former junior winner
Jarred Brook from Brisbane has been the standout in racing so far this year and warrants favourtism for the event, and 16 year old Boyd from Kurri cannot be ignored after impressive form in a handful of meetings since moving in to the senior ranks.
Other contenders for a berth in the final from a representative line-up include
Alec Hurst (Coffs Harbour),
Sam Davies (Kempsey),
Ryan New (Temora) and
Michael Vecchi (Far South Coast) and host club riders
Peter Smith,
Harry Scott and
Nick Lahey.
The Junior Cup should be just as competitive with Singleton rider
Billy van Eerde striving to become the first to ever win the event twice.
His toughest rival should be Kurri rider
Mackenzie Childs, while the likes of
Kye Andrews,
Caleb Porter,
Connor Ryan,
Riley Hubbard and
Bailey Davis should also be prominent.
The 8-lap finals of both the Junior and Senior Cup will wrap up the program on Sunday afternoon, but racing through both days will cater for all categories in the seniors and all age groups in the juniors.
The Central Coast Junior Club is hosting the New South Wales Junior Track Championships at the Somersby track in late September and many juniors will use this weekend as preparation for the title showdown
Riders from Victoria and Queensland as well as many country clubs are included in the line-ups for the various age divisions.
Entry fee for spectators this weekend will be $10 per vehicle payable at the gate to the St Johns First Aid.
For more information about this weekend check out the club‰Ûªs website
www.ccjuniormotorcycleclub.org.au
Main Photo: Billy Van Eerde (289) on his way to winning the Central Coast Junior Cup last year
Credit: David Lamont
