THE 2019 Millicent Stadium Cross event thrilled spectators like never before at the region’s annual show on the weekend.
Some of the South East’s top riders showcased their skills in all 11 classes throughout the two-day event.
Event organiser and Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club president Damien Holman said this year’s stadium cross was one of the best ever.
“It was a huge success,” he said.
“There were heaps of people watching and it was a spectacular show for the event.
“It was one the better weekends of racing we have had for a long time.”
The headline act was the Dale Teagle Memorial race and it lived up to expectation.
Under the night sky, the top four riders from the event put on a clinical display across 15 fast-paced laps.
The feature race was dominated by Zackariah Wright, who claimed both the overall victory and the hole-shot award.
Jaxon Rayner was runner-up, while Tylor Thompson and Connor Fearson made up the minor places.
Holman said the Dale Teagle Memorial race was an eye-catching spectacle.
“Those riders really put on a display to watch,” he said.
“It was an exciting, fast and quick race because there were no incidents.
“It was definitely one of the best races for the night.”
The event also played host to several other races with 11 different classes for fans to enjoy including MX1, Experts, Veterans, Juniors, Women’s, plus 50, 65 and 85cc categories.
Holman said there was quality racing in each class and he paid credit to every rider in challenging conditions.
“Every race ran smoothly,” he said.
“The guys were good off the start gate and the racing was spectacular from the lower ages into the 85cc.
“There were a couple little incidents where we just had to wave a yellow flag out and get a medic to attend to them, but we did not have to stop for an ambulance.
“Everyone rode to the ability of themselves and the track conditions, so it worked out to be a great weekend.”
The adverse weather conditions leading up to the show almost stopped the entire motorcycle event from going ahead.
An unexpected heavy shower on Friday morning damaged the perfectly-prepared track just hours before the action started.
But thanks to the hard work of around 30 volunteers, the track returned to its immaculate condition in time for racing, with the only impact a two-hour delay for practice.
Holman said it was an achievement in itself to get the surface ready after the heavens opened.
“When we went to bed on Thursday night it did not look too bad and we thought we should be able to get away with it, but it rained all night and soaked the track,” he said.
“We had an intensive team basically working on re-preparing the track and doing the best they could in the morning.
“There was earth-moving equipment pulled in from everywhere and it all came together in the last hour.
“By the time we finished practice it was beautiful and even our expert riders said it was a top-class track after seeing what it was like.”
One thing that did not need fixing was the event’s live stream across the internet and big-screen television.
The new addition was well received on Friday night and Holman said it was the “highlight” of a perfect weekend.
“For our first time live streaming, it was a bit of a learning curve, but a big success,” he said.
“It will be back next year and we hope to run it for the two days instead of just one.
“It was perfect for riders, sponsors and fans who want to sit back and watch it on their phones.
“Everything was on the money and we could not have asked for a better weekend.”
