Motocross

Dean Porter and David Birch on top at Southern Cross

Posted:

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016

1:57 PM

Dean Porter and David Birch on top at Southern Cross

The penultimate 5th Make Smoking History WAMX Senior State Championship ripped into the sleepy historic goldfields town of Southern Cross on Sunday August 14th, with the championship series looking for a tight and sensational end next month for the final round.

Riders awoke with a chilly start to the morning, but a day run under blue skies and sunshine and a wind that kept things cool and allowed one of the dustier state rounds that we have had for quite a while.

No amount of water could keep the dust at bay which also ensured a slippery and skatey track, with riders searching for grip. Again as has been the series standard, some championships are wrapped up in all but name, while others will be determined at the final round 6 at Byford next month.

Standing atop the podium and the red plate holder in the MX1 class with a 28 point lead is defending Champion Dean Porter. Porter took a clean sweep for his third consecutive overall win in the last three rounds. Robbo Lovett tried his heart out, but it was Mitch Taylor (2-3-3) who stand on the second step of the podium with Lovett third for the day.

The MX1 class was as lightning fast as predicted with fourth placed Craig Bolton back in strong contention holding out Michael Mahon who finished in fifth. Southern Cross brought out the best in the riders all vying for points and Chris Ruttico, Liam Whisler, Blair Outram, Julian Cutajar and Oliver James all recording strong, solid performances across the day. Coming into this round in podium regular Charlie Creech was on fire; however in qualifying he suffered a nasty crash which ended his day before it even started. Despite not racing this round, he now sits in sixth in the championship, and it is hoped he will be clear to race in the final round next month.

The MX2 class in action. Photo: True Spirit Photos/Gordon Pettigrew

The MX2 Class has delivered a total so far of 15 absolute crack races, and the Southern Cross round was no exception. Josh Adams, David Birch and Dylan Heard have been outstanding and with Mitch Taylor jumping on board the MX2 championship for round 5 it was the best round so far. Birch took out the first moto a bike length from Josh Adams with the tables turned in the six lap sprint for the second moto with Adams for the win and Birch for second.

Mitch Taylor secured the final moto of the day and when both Birch and Adams were in the attack for second place, Adams tangled with Birch‰Ûªs rear wheel coming off in turn two. Unable to restart his bike and resorting in some unusual yet effective trackside mechanics, Adams fired the bike back to life to pick up ten points for the race.

By day‰Ûªs end David Birch took the round win from Mitch Taylor and defending champion Dylan Heard securing third overall. Finishing on equal points and fifth for the day behind Kenlon Youl, Adams retains the red plate as the series leader by now only 33 points from Birch, making the final round next month a show-stopper.

Quad Class series leader Luke Gaisford stood atop the podium (1-1-1) but worked hard for his three wins. Tangled up in two starts, Gaisford worked his way through the field to capture the wins, with Tyron Robertson second overall and Michael Harcourt joining them on the box for third for the day.

The Quad Class lets loose at Southern Cross. Photo: True Spirit Photos/Gordon Pettigrew

Visibility issues with dust casued moments for all riders with Blake Croonen putting in solid motos and both Michael Murphy and Luke Ovens capturing some brilliant starts for the day. Daniel Soltoggio, Adam Filbey and Luke Capocreco would all record mixed results, yet no-one came close to stopping the Gaisford freight train.

As the series leader with the red plate, Gaisford now goes into the last round with a 44 point lead over second placed Tyron Robertson. With the rumoured return to WA racing of defending champion Chris Bosnakis after a successful sojourn in the USA, the series may go down to the wire for the top three place getters in the championship standings

The combination of only three Veterans who weren‰Ûªt scored in with the MX 2 repecharge class saw Alex Bates secure the first moto win and then Teleisha Outram in terrific form securing the final two motos to take the top step pf the podium with Liam Hitchcock second and Bates wrapping up third for the day.

Tom Varley, Jarrad Thompson, Cameron McDonald, Callan Johnson and James Elford were all searching for grip and clear vision across the day with the three vets, Trevor Unstead, Daniel Woodman and Anthony Fiaschi hoping for more riders at the next event to ensure there is a class.

The local riders were out in force in the Clubman All Powers class to the cheers of the crowd with Luke Kitto taking the win ahead of Travis Tuck and stalwart in this class this season, Corey Ablett picking up third for the day. Jaxson Turner, Sam Delacy, Lily Kent, Cody Hunt and Brandon Campbell swapped places across the day with Luke Gaske, Darren Boulton, Daniel James, Harrison Smith, Tayla Cryne, Brock Fiaschi, Ben Bates, Che Ebert, Tess Jacobs and Matthew Walker.

The series conclusion is a month away with a massive double header at the Lightweight Motorcycle Club at Byford on Saturday 17th and Sunday the 18th of September with Juniors battling it out on Saturday and the Seniors wrapping up the series on Sunday, which will also include the women‰Ûªs class and the MX1, MX2 and Quad Championship classes.

Main Photo: Mitch Taylor (88) leads the MX class through turn 1
Credit: True Spirit Photos/Gordon Pettigrew

MX 1 Class Championship Season Standings After 5 Rounds:
1 DEAN PORTER 503 Points
2 ROBERT LOVETT 475 Points
3 MITCH TAYLOR 427 Points
4 MICHAEL MAHON 397 Points
5 CRAIG BOLTON 385 Points
6 CHARLIE CREECH 345 Points
7 CHRIS RUTTICO 328 Points
8 JULIAN CUTAJAR 324 Points
9 RYAN SCARLETT 272 Points
10 OLIVER SMITH 227 Points

MX2 Championship Season Standings After 5 Rounds:
1 JOSH ADAMS 452 Points
2 DAVID BIRCH 419 Points
3 DYLAN HEARD 398 Points
4 JAKE FEWSTER 326 Points
5 AARON ANDERSON 290 Points
6 AYDEN BRIDGEFORD 275 Points
7 KENLEN YOUL 274 Points
8 JACK PERKUSICH 263 Points
9 TOM WEST 244 Points
10 DYLAN HENNESSEY 233 Points

Quad Class Championship Series Standings After 5 Rounds:
1 LUKE GAISFORD 464 Points
2 TYRON ROBERTSON 420 Points
3 LUKE OVENS 408 Points
4 LUKE CAPOGRECO 350 Points
5 DANIEL SOLTOGGIO 349 Points
6 MICHAEL MURPHY 342 Points
7 ADAM FILBEY 336 Points
8 BLAKE CROONEN 321 Points
9 MICHAEL HARCOURT 318 Points
10 COLIN BALSHAW 288 Points