The Paddock Club at the Yellomundee Regional Park was buzzing with excitement on Sunday morning, with riders, spectators and race supporters awaiting the qualifying rounds, kicking off Rocky Trail Entertainment’s MTB Grand Prix 2008.
The new racing concept required every racer to complete a short qualifying “hot lap” to secure their position in the starting grid of the 6 hour race that was to follow.
Jason English (Port Macquarie) took out the first place in the MTB Grand Prix in the Solo Male category, after qualifying for pole position, with a total of 17 laps on the 8.08 km track. With 13 laps, Craig Armour (Inner West Sydney) came in second overall after starting with a 30 second penalty in the starting grid. Another Sydney-sider, Brad Hawthorne (Bondi Beach)came third after catching up to the leaders from his sixth place in the qualifying.
The women’s category was dominated by Sydney’s Anna Beck (Thornleigh) after coming second in the qualifying rounds. Beck overtook Joanne Fox (Windsor) and secured the first place with 12 completed laps. Fox claimed second place with eight laps. Belinda Blackhall (Leichhardt) completed five laps to place third.
The pro-riders were joined by a large crowd of newbie racers at the Pit Lane. “We achieved our goal of attracting new racers to our MTB Grand Prix," says Martin Wisata from MTB events company, Rocky Trail Entertainment. “While putting on an interesting and challenging track for the experienced racers it was smooth enough for the newcomers to feel comfortable and get the racing bug!”
Martin said Rocky Trail had a lot more event concepts up their sleeves, announcing that their 24-Hour race will be held on 14 & 15 February 2009 at the Del Rio Resort at Wiseman’s Ferry, near Sydney.
For complete race results of the MTB Grand Prix 2008 and photos from the Sportograf photographers go to www.rockytrailentertainment.com
Sharon Payne
Bike Media
The new racing concept required every racer to complete a short qualifying “hot lap” to secure their position in the starting grid of the 6 hour race that was to follow.
Jason English (Port Macquarie) took out the first place in the MTB Grand Prix in the Solo Male category, after qualifying for pole position, with a total of 17 laps on the 8.08 km track. With 13 laps, Craig Armour (Inner West Sydney) came in second overall after starting with a 30 second penalty in the starting grid. Another Sydney-sider, Brad Hawthorne (Bondi Beach)came third after catching up to the leaders from his sixth place in the qualifying.
The women’s category was dominated by Sydney’s Anna Beck (Thornleigh) after coming second in the qualifying rounds. Beck overtook Joanne Fox (Windsor) and secured the first place with 12 completed laps. Fox claimed second place with eight laps. Belinda Blackhall (Leichhardt) completed five laps to place third.
The pro-riders were joined by a large crowd of newbie racers at the Pit Lane. “We achieved our goal of attracting new racers to our MTB Grand Prix," says Martin Wisata from MTB events company, Rocky Trail Entertainment. “While putting on an interesting and challenging track for the experienced racers it was smooth enough for the newcomers to feel comfortable and get the racing bug!”
Martin said Rocky Trail had a lot more event concepts up their sleeves, announcing that their 24-Hour race will be held on 14 & 15 February 2009 at the Del Rio Resort at Wiseman’s Ferry, near Sydney.
For complete race results of the MTB Grand Prix 2008 and photos from the Sportograf photographers go to www.rockytrailentertainment.com
Sharon Payne
Bike Media