It was great to be travelling north again for the Queensland titles, and this year saw quite a pack of NSW riders that made the trip up. I decided to take the rig via Grafton, Casino, Kyogle and onto Beaudesert and arrived at the trials site Saturday morning. I would first like to thank the club, and especially Robert Eyres and Don Rowland for making me so welcome and preparing a great site opposite the score tents.
Mackie "Mack Attack" Hartshorn, Ben Franco, Rory Hartshorn, Tom Ring.
The weekend chucked a smorgasboard of weather at the riders with a relatively overcast but dry Sunday, deteriorating into a drenching mud bath on Monday afternoon. The trial consisted of a very big loop with a really varied selection of sections including a well visited creek section, and a large number of brand new areas including some challenging hill climbs.
I have to say Saturday was the day for white gear, as those in the light stuff were looking a bit like a "nappysan" commercial by presentation on Monday.
The Gas Gas riders faired extremely well in the results from Boys Willcocks looking extremely strong in Experts, (2nd overall) and obviously ripe for a TDN team placement, through all the age groups and grades.
Introductory was a a decisive win for Steve Napper who looks stronger every trial and really comfortable on his TXT.
Junior 7 - 12 saw youngsters Ben Franco in first, and Mackie Hartshorn in third, both making the long trip up from Sydney worth while.
Open Junior was a hottly contested both in the sections and also in the paddock chat, with a lot of banter about the new 125cc ruling. All in all a good ride from Bradley Bryant in 2nd, James Boyle an excellent fourth (considering he had a hefty delay midstream Sunday) and Tom Ring in sixth.
The Junior Women's class again was heading south with Amanda Cummin's on her Sherco, but yound Rory Hartshorn really toughed it out to only miss the podium from the always smiling Scorpa mounted Miss Chivers! Those two girls had a hard day at the office, but were awesome every time I saw them. You could see the big grins even through the MUD!
Open Women was again the domain of Australian Champion Kristiie Mckinnon, and similarily Mike Frith was a very comfortable first, and not riiding at all like a 60+ Veteran. I think someone needs to check his birth certificate!
A tied score and countback decided a much closer Veteran's 50-59, with Tom Rafferty just edging out Paul Moore in a very well deserving class of 10 riders. And Darren Creswell got a podium in the 40-49 group.
Apart from the modern machinery there was also a fantastic resurgence of the Classic class lead by Mr Tony Bax and his Trumpy. An awesome ride from Baxy on some very challanging sections for the Veterans saw him romp it home. In hindsiight the sections were a bit to hard for these old machines and I certainly hope it doesn't turn the competitors off from returning.There seems to be a bit of a ground swell in Classics which is good to see.
It was really great to catch up with the Gougie clan, and I think I may have been talked into something that I'll later regret. Justin is always good for a story (Sherco sprockets on Honda primary shafts) and I'm kind of glad Rob lives in Qld because I think we could get into a lot of trouble if we lived closer!
All in all in was a great weekend topped off with a little sideways rally action in the Hiino truck trying to get out of the property.
I hope we can make the NSW titles just as much fun, and see some of my good friends heading south for our two day at Pacific Park in August.
Thanks again to the property owners, and all the officials and Observers who toughed it out on a very trying second day. Brilliant.
Paul Arnott - The Hell Team