FRIDAY night’s Millicent Show Stadium Cross event certainly provided entertainment for the large crowd, with riders of all ages gearing up for the technical track both throughout the day and into the night under lights.
Riding continued into Saturday and showcased both factory riders Kirk Gibbs and Jed Beaton, as well as the budding juniors of the sport over the two days.
Gibbs – who started his career with the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club – was encouraged by his brother Corey to return home for the event and as a result Beaton also signed up.
The high-profile names did not stop privateer riders from entering the Expert All Power class, with Lachlan Davis and Daniel Banks in particular stepping up to the challenge.
Aboard his Honda CRF 450, Davis claimed two race victories from the six and led the prestigious Dale Teagle Memorial race for some time before Gibbs found a way to get by.
Davis finished second, followed by Banks and Beaton in the main race on Friday night.
Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club organise the event each year and president Damien Holman said he was pleased with the way the event unfolded.
“This year’s Millicent Show Stadium Cross event was another action packed show of dirt bikes that ran very well over the two days,” he said.
“We had no rain and no serious accidents, so we were able to run with no interruptions.
“All riders put on a fantastic display of their ability from the 50cc Demo class up to the Expert Class.
“There were a few junior riders that are showing great form and will be ones to watch out for in the future as they enter seniors soon.”
Holman said the come-from-behind victory to Gibbs in the main event on Friday night was a thriller for the crowd.
“It was great to see some of the professional riders enter this event and was amazing to see some of the high-energy racing,” he said.
“The Dale Teagle Memorial Race was a highlight on Friday night and put on a fast-action adrenaline-pumping show of the best riders.
“There was a good number of spectators young and old that crowded the fence line enjoying the racing.”
South East riders showcased their talent in their respective classes, with majority of winners coming from the local Mount Gambier club.
Callum Morrison, Zane Hayward, Riely Knightly and Thomas Lambert were unbeaten in their classes, while Jake Brown took the win in his class after winning four of his six races.
Clerk of course for the two-day event John Heemskerk said he was pleased with the talent on show, particularly in the Expert All Powers class.
“The expert class has not let me down in the last four or five years of racing,” he said.
“We have been lucky that over the last four years we have had three or four riders at about the same pace.
“Kirk had to work really hard to win the Dale Teagle Memorial race.
“I think everyone expected him to get first and Jed to finish second, but that did not happen.”
Heemskerk said the tight, technical and short track made the riders’ starts crucial.
“If you do not get the holeshot it makes it pretty hard to pass,” he said.
“And that is what happened to Kirk in the final, he had to work hard to catch Lachie Davis.
“He was lucky in the memorial race, he had 15 laps so he had more time to catch him.”
Unsure on whether professional riders will return to the event next year, Heemskerk said the club was nevertheless grateful for the opportunity to host such a calibre of riders.
“It was most likely a one-off,” he said.
“We have been very, very lucky to have Kirk and Jed come down and that is just how it is sometimes.
“It all just fell into place this year.”
Heemskerk also commented on the impressive performance displayed by privateers Banks and Davis.
“The two rode really well and stuck it to the professionals,” he said.
“To break into the world of being a professional and fully sponsored is a tough gig, but these guys did really well to keep up.”
Heemskerk praised the efforts of both Josh Knightly and Holman for the smooth running of the event.
“A lot of people helped out and the outcome was very good,” he said.
“But Damien Holman and Josh Knightly did most of the organising.”
In turn Holman thanked those who had assisted in the smooth execution of the two-day race event.
“For this event to run as good as it did, it takes a large amount of hours and volunteers to set up the track,” he said.
“I would like to say thankyou to all the sponsors and businesses that put in along the way and a massive thank you to all of the people that put in their time and effort.
“Without these people events like this would not happen.
“We look forward to doing this again next year and hope it is another great event.”
The motorcycle club will now enjoy its off-season before returning to the Mount Gambier track around February next year.
