QLD Supermoto series opener run and won at Stanthorpe —Â By, Jovian Haidle Round 1 of the 2011 Loosekid Industries QLD Supermoto Titles March 12 & 13 proved once again Supermoto racing is alive and well. The fast paced event was a showcase of close racing, incredible bike control and sportsmanship. All classes were well subscribed and the track was extremely well prepared allowing the riders to get on with the racing. From the moment the bikes hit the track Saturday morning the riders put on a show to remember. JN’s Race Products/Bridgestone S1 450cc+ Class As the racing progressed Ross Taylor’s Rising Sun Honda CRF470 seemed to have the field covered with Seeton Battle, Harriman and Phillips applying more pressure as each race went on. Ross was able to win the first 6 races while Harriman and Battle swapped positions with Philips close by on the big Aprilia. Further back in field the racing was just as tight with John Newton, Ward Freeland, Pete Smith and Tom Gardiner fighting desperately for their positions in the Top 10. The last 2 races of the Round saw Seeton Battle get the better of Taylor. Battle by Name, Battle by nature applied some pressure to Taylor and as often happens in such a close field the smallest error was enough to see Battle gain the lead with Taylor remounting for fourth in both races. Taylor’s dominance in the first six races was enough to see him win the round with a 10 point advantage over Battle with Harriman in Third. Tom Gardiner rode his Redcliffe Mowers/Terex Cranes KTM 515 consistently all weekend to claim the Top C Grader prize. Workshop 2000 Slacks Creek S2 450cc Class As the racing begin it was North Qld’er Koppe who got the jump and stormed to victory in the first 2 races. However in the third Koppe made a mistake which Laing capitalised on to take the victory. The Future Sport Suzuki rider Koppe got back to his winning ways for the remainder of the races as Laing and Titan Garage’s Alex Harriman traded places on the podium. A big crash in race 7 ended a great weekend for Belray/Shark Helmets/Yamaha YZF450 Luke Trail. Trail insists “I haven’t fallen for the longest time, I can’t remember the last time”. Trail escaped with some minor injuries and was awarded crash of the weekend by his fellow competitors. Koppe’s impressive performance gives him the championship lead with Harriman and Laing close behind. Warren Gill rounds out the top 4, while Steven Relph, Peter Cox, Darren Webb and James Harwood all rode consistently to keep there championship hopes alive. Peter Cox was the Top C Grade finisher for the round. Loosekid Industries S3 250cc Class Laing holds a commanding points lead going into Round 2 with Hull claiming second and the ever improving featherweight Sam Crossley taking third for the round. Aaron Barr was the pleased to finish in the top 4 and claim the Top Unplaced C Grader title for the round. Rebel Fm 97.1 Veterans Class Overall the weekend was a huge success with great racing on show. Thanks to the Motorcycle Sportsman of Qld, Motorcycle Qld Officials, Loosekid Industries, Workshop 2000 Slacks Creek, Rebel FM 97.1, JN’s Race Products, Bridgestone, Osella Photography and Shark Leathers for the support. Round 2 is in Mareeba, North Qld, August 6 & 7 with big numbers expected once again. The same format will be run in Mareeba with S1, S2, S3, Veterans and Novices all catered for. |