Dirt track triumph

Four riders from Gunnedah Motorcycle Club (MCC) claimed a state title each at this year’s NSW senior and junior dirt track championships, which took place at the Gunnedah-based Balcary Park last weekend.

Daniel Wicks, Tom Donnelly, Emylie Murrell and Hugo Holmes were Gunnedah MCC’s first placegetters, as 36 riders from the club competed in the two-day event.

There were about 70 seniors and 90 juniors as there were 20 classes and 156 events, featuring riders from all around Australia.

The youngest class was the 50cc Demo riders which ranged from 4 years old, while the eldest class was the Over 35s.

Wicks came first in the MX Open and third in the Pro 450, while Donnelly came first in the Pro 450 and second in the MX Open.

Murrell placed first in the Pro Open Women, and Holmes was the 85cc-150cc 9 to 13 years champion while also coming second in the 85cc Modified Class 7 to 12 years category.

Another Gunnedah MCC rider, Marty McNamara, came first in the Over 35 years support class.

Other Gunnedah MCC riders to gain podium placings were Issac Cross, Nate Jaeger, Violet Hoskinson, Jim Jobling and Dalton Hoskinson (all second placegetters), and Tai McNamara, Nash Carlyon and Kim McKay (all third placegetters).

While this was the fifth straight year that the NSW senior dirt track championships were staged in Gunnedah, it was the first time in five years that Gunnedah hosted the NSW junior titles.

With this year being the first time Motorcycling NSW held the senior and junior titles together as one event, Gunnedah MCC spokesperson Dale Holmes said it was an extremely successful occasion with “a large number of riders and spectators travelling to Gunnedah”.

“This was a great thing for the community, which brought a significant financial injection to a large number of Gunnedah businesses,” he said.

The spokesperson said the track held up extremely well after the committee and members spent many hours preparing the track and facilities.

Pro open women’s placegetters Katarna Robinson (second), Emylie Murrell (winner) and Keely Pearson (third) on the podium. Photo: Nic Pic NSW.

Gunnedah’s Tom Donnelly salutes his victory at the dirt track titles. Photo: Nic Pic NSW.

Gunnedah MCC rider Marty McNamara placed first in the Over 35 years support class. Photo: Liam Hauser.