MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA:

Competitors had their first chance to ride the Maffra Sale Motorcycle Club track on Monday, with practice sessions held for all classes throughout the day as the 2009 Honda Australian Junior Motocross Championships got underway.

Following two days of intense weather, including 120km an hour winds, Monday’s conditions were a welcome change, with riders and their families looking forward to the warmer weather expected over the next couple of days.

24 practice sessions were held throughout the day as riders checked out the track and put their bikes through their paces before racing begins on Tuesday.

With three days of the eight day event now done, Club President Mark Tyquin said that despite the crazy weather everything was running smoothly leading up to racing on Tuesday.

“Of the nearly 700 riders who entered the competition, there were only two who didn’t sign in over the weekend,” Tyquin said.

“All the bikes and gear were scrutineered and it all went pretty smoothly.”

The weather has certainly forced riders and their families to rug up over the last few days.

“It’s been very windy out here,” he said.

“We had a good shower on Friday which helped the track, we’ve lost a few pit tents but people have been very good about it.

“For an event this size we really haven’t had any trouble with people, everyone has been really well behaved and respectful which is awesome.

“Today’s weather has been a little bit windy but a vast improvement on the last two days; it’s not really affecting the track too much so it’s been pretty good.”

With 700 riders taking to the track, many of whom are riding in more than one class, the track held up in the tough conditions.

“After practice tonight we’ll do a few little touch ups to the track just to make sure it’s in perfect condition for racing tomorrow, but other than that it doesn’t need much work,” he said.

“Hopefully the wind will calm down a bit more over the next few days, but after watching practice there’s going to be some good racing coming up.”

Spectators are welcome to attend and check out all the action and best of all, entry is completely free!

Motorcycling Australia (MA) will be bringing you coverage from the event on a dedicated web page at www.ma.org.au/2009ausjnrmx including photo galleries, interviews and all the latest news and results on.

For more information about the 2009 Honda Australian Junior Motocross Championships, visit the club website at www.maffrasalemotorcycleclub.org.au.