Final VMXWA Event for 2013-Dandaloo Park
November 13, 2013
Photos; Bethanie Christie
A great day of racing in Narrogin and a fitting end to a fantastic season
For those of us who have never been to the United Kingdom to watch or compete in a scramble meeting, many of us have a vision of rain, mud and slippery conditions.
We rarely see those conditions in WA, but for those of us who travelled down to Narrogin a few weeks ago to enjoy the final VMX race weekend for 2013, we could be forgiven if we thought we were actually in Britain for a totally authentic event.
Our club has been blessed with great weather for almost the entire year and it seemed like the rain gods were making up some lost ground this time round. The wet stuff started to fall from the sky on Saturday and continued right through the night and for the whole of Sunday.
While the track had been prepared perfectly during the week, it presented as a smooth, wet and very greasy surface on Sunday morning. However this did not deter the riders and they were all keen to get out and have a go. Sadly we had a nasty accident on the first lap of practice when Mike Lawrie had a fly over the bars coming down the big hill behind the pits and landed on his head. Glad to report that he was back on his feet when he returned from the hospital a few hours later (but off the bike for the rest of this meeting).
Despite everything else, 30 or 40 competitors including 5 sidecar teams enjoyed a great day of racing and a fitting end to the season.
A Grade: Mike Gordon on the TM 250 Suzuki #45 made the most of the conditions and took out the first event with some more impressive rides during the day – taking podium positions each time. We saw some good battles between Mike Gordon’s Suzuki and Ian Brown’s Maico #96 and of course Rod Gilchrist on the #41 who also went home with a couple of good wins.
B Grade: Young Brad Green who came down as a stand in swinger for Gary Johnson, was given the opportunity to ride one of Gaz’ solos for the day and took out the first B Grade race in fine style from Steve Hanson #18 and Warren Patterson #78. It was Warren who turned the tables next time round and put the 125 Elsinore on the top step of the podium, followed by Steve Hanson. It was exciting to watch the 125 fighting with the 400 cc machine and come up trumps. Race 3 saw Warren battling with Brad Green from flag to flag with Green just taking the victory on the 250 Yamaha after swapping positions several times. Warren can certainly make that 125 go very quickly and take it up to the bigger bikes each time.
Over 55’s: Well the super seniors put on another great show with Frank Barron and Stan Read running neck and neck all day and sharing the victories 2/1 this time. Those boys never stop smiling and are good mates on and off the track, but I would never want to get between them when they are racing.
Sidecars: Gary Johnson/Brad Green Yamaha #25 showed a clean pair of heels in race 1 and they were followed home by Wayne/Adam Fanderlinden Yamaha #26 and Steve Melvin/Andrew Irving Norton #84. The Fanderlinden boys took out race 2 with husband and wife team Luke/Claire Boston enjoying an awesome battle with Melvin/Irving and finishing just ahead of that team. Melvin/Irving made amends in the next handicap race to take the win.
After a shortened lunch break and more rain, the sidecar feature handicap was won by Melvin/Irving followed by Team Boston.
Last race of the day (All in feature) was taken out by Ian Brown in a great display of riding once again.
Competitors and spectators packed up a little earlier than usual but they had all enjoyed their last ride until 2014.
See you all again next year.
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