Mark ‘Frankie’Avard has been involved with the Australian Supermotard movement since it’s humble beginnings 5 years ago. He is the easily the most experienced motard racer competing on Australian circuit in this fabulous new form of motorcycle racing.

Avard has competed in motocross, enduro and road racing all at the highest level here in Australia and has traveled overseas numerous times to compete very successfully in European & American competition. It is in these countries that Supermotard was born and has evolved into a world class form of motorsport. He has gained a heap of invaluable experience both in the racing and the running/promoting of these events and through his Avard's Supermoto Promotions has continued to push the NSW Supermoto scene up the ladder by running slick events. NSW Supermoto Championships, Supermoto Spectacular/Olympic Tennis Centre last year and now the International Summer Supermoto USA v AUS challenge held at Sydney’s Oran Park last Sunday.

It will be a monster fortnight with the whole Supermoto show moving up to Raleigh Raceway, Coffs Harbour this weekend for round two.  Americans Mickey Dymond, Chris Fillmore, Craig Mason & Casey Yarrow had been flown out here to compete in the two events and to give the Australian rider’s a chance to test themselves against some of the American AMA’s best. At Coffs the American assault will be strengthened with the appearance of Steve Drew, a regular top five runner in AMA competition and a recent fourth place getter in the prestigious X Games event staged in America recently.

Motorex KTM teamster Stu Bennett was the fastest Aussie rider at Oran Park on Sunday and took it right up to Fillmore and Dymond.

Bennett summed it up “It’s good having these guys here as a benchmark ….we know now how fast we have to go. Shannon Johnson stepped it up in the Australian Championship last year and now these guys are here taking us to another level."

In the end the Australia v USA challenge turned out to be a very close affair with the Yanks taking the win by the narrowest of margins 105 – 103. In the two race All Powers class the three highest finishers from each country were tallied together to produce that total score.

Had Stuart Bennett not DNF’d with mechanical problems (sheared rear sprocket bolts) in the final race Australia may well have taken out the event.  As it was our three highest scorers, Avard, Marmont & Turnbull were just edged out by the American team of Fillmore, Dymond & Casey Yarrow.

ALL POWERS (Unlimited)

Chris Fillmore just comes across as an 18 year old kid.  But one very fast and talented 18 year old kid and the Honda rider proved untouchable in the All Powers Finals.   He put together great starts and showed awesome corner speed to outclass the field with sparks flying off his footpegs at nearly every tarmac turn.

“This track is really good. We don’t have anything like this for a road race section back home. They are usually go-kart tracks that are one line no passing type things…..you can go into some of these turns THREE deep and still be good….so I’m really enjoying myself."

Bringing home second place in the All Powers class was Micky Dymond. An AMA motocross & supercross superstar for 10 years through the 80’s and early 90’s, a 2-time National AMA 125 Motocross Champion. 

Micky had pretty tough day at Oran Park with few mechanical problems early on and average starts leaving him without a chance to really challenge Fillmore. The KTM star was ultra smooth, very quick and great to watch while backing it in from a long way out. “I like the asphalt a little better than the dirt at the moment“ admitted the ex pro motocrosser.

The final podium position in the All Powers class went to Mark Avard (Beringer Yamaha).  Mark was fairly busy trying to ensure the event ran smoothly so his mind was elsewhere much of the time and never really got in as much practice as he would have liked on the reversed circuit. "I was having trouble with braking markers all day….you see while everyone else was practicing Friday I was setting things up and only managed 10 mins track time, so I’m a bit behind the eight-ball."

Just missing out on a podium was young Ryan Marmont (Motorex KTM).  He is picking up more speed with each outing in this new discipline and was the big improver last weekend.  In the final race he got off to a great start and hung right onto the tail of Fillmore for most of the race. He succumbed to a late charge from Dymond in the closing stages but still held on for a great third place which gave him fourth overall.

Stuart Bennett had scored a very strong second place in the initial encounter but failed to finish the final race thus was not in the hunt for an overall podium.

S2 (up to 450cc)

Young Fillmore won the S2 class in fine style although at one stage of the game it looked as though Stuart Bennett might get the upper hand after the enduro specialist took victory in the second leg to put a slight blemish on Fillmore's otherwise perfect record.

Fillmore was very quick on the exit of all the tarmac turns. He has a very unique style where he sits back when exiting and stays very low on the bike, real low. His Honda looked to be handling perfectly, specially setup with some trick equipment he’d brought with him from the States. “I brought with me my Dunlop tyres and my suspension I use on my race bike…..so it’s workin real good. The motors a little sluggish though."

Bennett was right on the pace in the S2 races with that great victory in the second race while Dymond and Fillmore battled for the final steps on the podium. 

Bennett was enthused after his victory, "That felt real good……I kind of hoped we could do it if we got the start. You had to be fairly aggressive in turn 1. It’s tight and everyone out there struggled with rear tire grip.”

A tangle with another rider in the final race meant Bennett could salvage only fifth which wasn't enough to prevent Fillmore from taking the trophy overall.

Micky Dymond did not look to be taking too many chances and finished the day without a race win to his credit but he did take a good points haul with consistent podium finishes apart from a relatively poor sixth place in the final encounter after the talented American made a few mistakes.

Dymond was really impressed though with the Oran Park layout “It’s a pleasure to come over and find this racetrack…I really like it. It’s a little bigger, a little faster than what were used to but it’s a whole lot of fun to ride. I think it’s a little difficult to pass, but I’m having a great day."  In the final he made a few mistakes, played catch up and could no better than 6th.

This weekend the battle continues at Coffs Harbour.