WINNING FORM: Last year’s 65cc 10-13 years champion Cameron Filmer in action at the Nowra District Motorcycle Club track. Photo: BRETT CARTER
Nowra District Motorcycle Club president Wayne Mather is predicting an exciting season of motocross ahead as the Braidwood Road complex prepares for this weekend’s opening round of the club championship.
Last year’s series saw the emergence of some great local talent including youngsters Billy “The Kid” Payne and Dante Hyam. Word at the club is that another batch of young guns is ready to take the challenge up to the established front runners this year ensuring tight handlebar to handlebar racing.
With the rain finally falling after a hot and dry start to summer, Mather said the local track was in great condition.
“It’s certainly wet at the moment,” he said.
“But the dams have gone from empty to full over the past week and from tomorrow until Sunday we will have the machines out on the track working flat out to ensure the circuit is in prime condition.”
Mather said that all the classes this year will see plenty of action but the over 35s division could be the most exciting.
“There is certainly plenty of interest in the over 35s with a few of the old guys coming back to mix it with the regulars,” he said.
“The senior (over 16) all powers always throw up plenty of action as well.”
The talk in the junior ranks is whether last year’s junior club champion Dante Hyam can continue his winning form. The 10 year old KTM mounted 85cc rider was practically untouchable last year and this year has a busy state-wide racing schedule.
Defending senior lites champion Kurt Mather has already announced he will not be back to contest this year’s championship. It’s a decision Mather snr said makes sense, but he believes his son won’t close the door completely on a comeback.
“The seniors race at such a high level that to be successful you need to put it all on the line,” he said.
“Once you have left school and you are working for a living the last thing you need is an injury.”
Motocross is not the sole domain of the boys, there are plenty of girls on the local scene who race against and often beat the guys.
“Up until they are 16-years-old the girls race with the boys,” Mather said.
“Once they reach senior level they move to what’s called all power where most of the girls race the 250cc machines.
“This year we are hoping to run a separate women’s class but that depends on the entries we receive once the season starts.”
Sunday’s racing action will get under way at 8am, and will see racing for all age groups from the under 7 nippers on their Pee Wee 50 machines through to the over 35s.
Spectator entry is free with plenty of vantage points around the 1500 metre track.