Round one of the Ssangyong Supermoto Championship was held under floodlights at the Eastern Creek Karting Complex on Saturday night. The first of six rounds, it was an eventful evening of competition and controversy, with protest laid early in the evening.

Supermotard, a relatively new branch of motorcycling, combines motocross and road race all on the same track. Modified motocross bikes are used and fitted with 17-inch wheels and road racing tyres. The bikes are set-up for the tar - you just have to survive on the dirt.

Clint Debner (666) is racing the new Kawasaki KX450F for Teknik Racing, in the highly competitive S2 class. In the first main he rode well to 8th position, with his times dropping on every lap. Clint qualified in 11th position after the race was re-run due to protest from another rider. It was a great result over all with Clint running 2-3 seconds behind the leader – not bad for somebody who says they are ‘”bit rusty”. Clint was running 10th before he stalled on the dirt section and couldn’t re-start the bike.

Nick Dole of Teknik Racing said "We were having problems with fuel overflowing into the catch can during qualifying, and we believe this contributed to making the bike hard to start hot. Thankfully it’s an easy fix, and I am excited to see what Clint can do at round two. Personally, I think Clint’s just warming up”.

Clint, an ex Australian Junior Champion and current Guinness Book of Records holder for the longest jump ever (86.4 feet) on a Pro Mini Bike, would like to “thank Brian Lowe from NF importers for pulling out all the stops to get us the Motomaster disc and caliper, Silkolene, and Clint’s personal sponsors DC shoe, Oakley goggles and Teknik Racing.”

-- Images from Press Day --