Weather blows chances of grass track completion

Tom Foster 817 Dsc 3632  TBW Newsgroup
CHALLENGING DAY: Muddy and miserable weather conditions made life difficult for the riders during round two of the 2020 Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club season at Pleasant Park on Sunday. Picture: THOMAS MILES

Tom Foster 817 Dsc 3632 TBW Newsgroup
CHALLENGING DAY: Muddy and miserable weather conditions made life difficult for the riders during round two of the 2020 Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club season at Pleasant Park on Sunday. Picture: THOMAS MILES

RACERS were forced to load their bikes onto their trailers early after wintry weather blew any chance of Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club completing its second grass track of the season on the weekend.

The round took place at Pleasant Park and wintry weather created havoc around the venue.

MGJMC president Richard Humphries said the constant rain made life difficult for the riders.

“It was a good day apart from the weather,” he said.

“Once we were half way through the first round of racing it bucketed down and turned into a swamp-fest.

“It was a soil-based track, so when the bikes chew it up and the rain gets onto it, the track turns into a sloppy paste.”

However, Humprhies said it was not the wet weather which forced proceedings to be cut short after just two races.

“During the day we were sort of caught out by a mini tornado,” he said.

“Our canteen and a couple of gazebos went flying just after lunch, so our barbecue was destroyed.

“Three people were hanging onto the gazebo and went flying.

“They had a few bumps and bruises, but were fine.

“Even a rainwater tank blew over, so at that stage we called it off and did not do a third round.”

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the competitors still enjoyed a fun day out.

Close to 90 riders took part and Luke McInnes was the pick of the bunch.

He secured the Senior MX2 title, won a MX1 race and also claimed a clean sweep in the Veterans class.

Humphries said it was the best display of riding he has seen from McInnes.

“Luke rode really well and it was probably the best I have ever seen him ride,” he said.

“He handled the slippery conditions very well.”

The day’s highlight took place during the lunch break when six riders jumped on their little pit bikes and thrashed them around the muddy circuit.

It was the first time the novelty event took place and Humphries said it left a smile on everyone’s face.

“It was pretty fun and we were trying to spray each other with dirt,” he said.

“There was no winner, it was just about getting out there and having some fun while people were having a break and eating lunch.”

After two successful rounds, Humphries believes the season could not have started more positively.

“The support we have had from the motorbike community has been overwhelming,” he said.

“We cannot thank everyone enough and hope to see more people out there.

“Everyone is just having fun and that is what we are trying to achieve.”

The third round will be held on Sunday, August 16 at 76 Manga Road, Kalangadoo.