European manufacturers KTM and Husaberg once again dominated the big-bore S1 Supermoto events at Queensland’s Stanthorpe Raceway last weekend.

The S1 class sees big single cylinder machines of more than 450cc pitted against each other in this hybrid sport which combines tarmac and dirt sections. It was KTM enduro specialist Stuart Bennett who took the S1 win from championship leader Mark Avard (Husaberg).

The Stanthorpe track had two dirt sections with a large tabletop in the first dirt strip and a smaller jump on the final dirt section. The tarmac sections were brief, and more of a stop and turn variety rather than any sort of flowing corners.

A wet surface greeted riders on Sunday morning but a dry line appeared during the practice sessions. But then the rain returned with a vengeance and stayed to drench the track and turn the dirt sections in to a squishy quagmire.

The S2 Championship events are for machines of up to 450cc capacity and here ex Grand Prix competitor Mark Willis has been the dominant force aboard his CRF450R Honda. Where the European machines holds sway in S1 it is a clear Yamaha versus Honda battle in the tightly fought S2 Championship.

But things took a turn for the worse for Willis at Stanthorpe after machinery problems meant he failed to finish two of the four races. Kent Nielsen took the win at Stanthorpe but Yamaha’s Adam Altham moved past Willis to take the outright S2 Championship lead.

Both Altham and Avard are currently in America competing at the opening round of the American Supermoto Championship which is being run in conjunction with the World Superbike round at Laguna Seca this weekend.

-- Trev has a go in QLD --

A Western Australian entrant also made the trip to Queensland to take part in this third round of the Australian Championship. That entrant was none other than this snail paced scribe.

So this lucky boy arrived in Queensland with leathers boxed up and helmet in hand to be greeted with an immaculately prepared WR450F provided by event organisers WEM and Yamaha Motors Australia.

Gracing the road style rims on the WR was a full road-race ‘wet’ tyre on the front and a Supersport road-race rear. This combination offered good grip during the damp practice sessions but when the rain turned nasty for the races it meant the grip on the tar from the near slick rear was negligible. Needless to say when the dirt section turned muddy then grip from the rear was virtually non-existent.

Nevertheless I battled on and managed to finish all four races even though I did get lapped in the process by the faster riders. But I never expected to be able to run with the class field of ‘A’ grade road racers and motocrossers that ride in the Australian Championship, I was just pleased to have been able to take part. Couldn’t quite convince them to let me take the WR home with me though…

Even with the wet weather and my significant problems negotiating the large jump I still managed to thoroughly enjoy myself. These conditions really showed up the skills of the fast boys even further when compared to my very average abilities.  Nevertheless, Supermoto is still the most fun you can have with your pants on!  I encourage everyone to get out and have a go.

-- Summary of the Stanthorpe Event --

Everybody had expected a big entry list for the Stanthorpe round as a good entry turned up for the club meet held the week before and at other club rounds they had held earlier in the year. But unfortunately it seemed that most of these riders chose not to enter the Australian round, perhaps the thought of racing against a field comprised mainly of ‘A’ graders scared them off a little. Nevertheless those that did turn up were treated to a good spectacle.

Crowd numbers were fairly low thanks to the weather once again. The weather gods really seem to have it in for Australian Supermoto. The opening round at Bairnsdale was a wind-fuelled dust storm of biblical proportions. Wagga was very wet, and then Stanthorpe scored the same bad luck!

Hopefully the championship can actually score some decent weather when the road show visits Coffs Harbour later this month, July 27th. The penultimate round is set down for August 10th at Tamworth where young Alex Gobert might be racing a CRF450R during a brief visit back to Australia from his AMA Supersport commitments in America. A grand final for the Australian Championship is planned for Victoria later in the year.

-- New Victorian Supermoto Series about to get up and running --

Plans for a separate state based Victorian Supermoto Championship are currently being finalised. Paul Caridi and the Supermotard Riders Club of Australia are planning to kick off the series next month at Morwell on August 31. Plans are afoot to bring it to the mainstream people with negotiations being conducted on running Supermoto competition in places like shopping centre car parks. If this all comes together then it should further help to fuel the growth of this exciting new sport. Queries can be emailed here

-- New South Wales series underway --

NSW has already ran three rounds of their state series with events at Oran Park, Wakefield Park and Bathurst.  Two more rounds are expected this year with these events tentatively scheduled for Wagga and Tamworth.  Another competition on the cards in NSW is a stand-alone three round series to be run at Wakefield Park. Enquires may be directed to Michael Bennett on 0407 339 947.

-- Supermoto introduction to be held in WA this weekend --

Western Australians can also get their own taste of what Supermoto has to offer by heading to the Tiger Kart Club’s Cockburn Raceway on Gemma Road in Henderson this Saturday. A meeting will be held on completion to discuss where Supermoto in WA goes next. Current proposals include running a ‘Summer Series’ catering for races for Supermoto machines with separate supporting classes for Minimotos, Scooters and Moriwaki 80s. Another proposal suggests running meeting where Supermoto machines appear as an attraction at some of the more significant Go-Kart race meetings.

One of these introduction days was held a couple of months ago and everyone had a good time.  Including a couple of guys who rode to the track on an XT600 and NX650 Dominator to ride the track before riding their bikes home again on completion. They had a ball and got some surprising lean angles out of their big dual-purpose machines on road/trail rubber.

The track being used in WA is a 1.07km ribbon of twisting and undulating bitumen that offers camber and elevation changes along with a series of extremely tight turns to provide for some great action. No dirt section is being used at this early stage of the game and this matter will also be discussed on Saturday afternoon. Full canteen facilities are on hand and the bar will open on completion of riding this Saturday. A medical team will be in attendance.

To ride on the introduction day you will need $50 and a well maintained machine. Any tyres are allowed while the minimum dress standard is motocross nylons with jeans underneath, leathers are preferable. Plus of course an approved helmet, protective boots and gloves. Minimum age is 13 and no licence required.

Or just come along for free and have a look at what everyone is raving about! Ring 0421 326 772 for further information.  A set of road/trail tyres suitable for the track will be sold at the track for $100 fitted. So there is no excuse that it is all too hard!