2002 Southern Downs SuperMotard Challenge - Stanthorpe

An enthusiastic crowd got to see some great action at Stanthorpe last weekend for the inaugural Southern Downs SuperMotard Challenge.

Staged at a newly constructed track, the competitors praised the design . Ex-GP rider Mark Willis enjoyed the layout, "The track was really good, especially considering that is was the first event staged there.

"It is the best Motard track I have ridden on yet for sure. The organisers had to reduce the height of the jump by a couple of feet after Saturday as a few guys managed to do some damage when landing hard, but after that was sorted it made for some great racing on Sunday."

Willis won the Prestige Challenge from Anton Lafforgue and Garry McCoy. But in the All Powers Final Lafforgue managed to get the better of Willis, McCoy was a little further back in third and fighting hard with Kym Gross before the Yamaha rider fell.

Willis praised Anton's great performances and said the Stanthorpe and District Sporting Car Club had done a great job with the event.

"I had some great fun out there this weekend, I always go in to these things just for a bit of fun but the competitive instincts always manage to take over.

"It was great fighting with Garry (McCoy) in the All Powers semi-final, it was the best fun I have had in a while. All in all a relaxed weekend but one with just the right amount of competition thrown in to the mix.

"Hopefully we can get something like this going on a regular basis in Queensland for next year. The final was really close but Anton beat me fair and square."

Summary of Results

The NGK Junior Challenge
4 x 5 Lap and 1 x 10 Lap
1st: Ryan Munns – Honda CR 125 (125 pts)
2nd: Anthony Armstrong – Suzuki RM 125 (96 pts)
3rd: Peter Hull – Honda CR 125 (84pts)

The NGK Clubman Challenge
3 x 5 Lap and 1 x 8 Lap
1st: Corey Glock – Honda CR 500 (100 pts)
2nd: Michael Heath – KTM EXE 200 (72 pts)
3rd: Stuart Clark – Honda XR (63 pts)

The M1 Motard Sport Challenge
3 x 5 Lap and 1 x 8 Lap
1st: Kent Nielsen – Honda CRF 450 (90 pts)
2nd: Kym Gross – Yamaha YZ 450 (68 pts)
3rd: Michael Byrnes – Yamaha WR 426 (62 pts)

The Dunlop Motorsport Prestige Challenge
3 x 5 Lap and 1 x 8 Lap
1st: Mark Willis – Honda CR 500 (86 pts)
2nd: Anton Lafforgue – Honda XR 650 (77 pts)
3rd: Garry McCoy – Kawasaki KX (66 pts) – After a three place relegation for a jump start in race 2.

The Motorcycle Sportsmen of Qld All Powers Challenge
12 Lap Final
1st: Anton Lafforgue – Honda XR 650
2nd: Mark Willis – Honda CR 500
3rd: Garry McCoy – Kawasaki KX 500

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