Race 2 of the South Australian State Series was held at Fox Creek, on the legendary Bowl track, in awesome conditions for racing! The track had a visit from the ‘trail pixies’ just a week prior to the race. The main changes were extending the triple, altering the corner after it and adding a nice swooping berm as you turn onto the track.
There were well and truly over 200 race runs completed on the weekend, unfortunately a transport bus blew a clutch during Saturday’s practice meaning a slightly longer wait. Fortunately, a new bus was brought up to the track quick smart.
Most riders came to grips with the track changes quickly, the triple was what caused the most grief for people. In the end only a few people ended up hitting it but it gives everyone else something else to work to for next time.
A big field in EliteA�MenA�saw the return of Connor Fearon for his first race this series butA�Will Rischbieth was missing in action. It was also awesome to see Dave West outA�racing again, Dave finished second overall in Elite Men in the National Series a few years ago but hasn’t been spending as much time at the races since. Add to this all the usual contenders such as round one winner Ngari Jenkins, young Cam Ryan, the recently returned to racing Steve Marsh and it was anyone’s guess as to who would be taking home the gold.
The competition in Under 19’s was just as tight, seeding would be the first real indication of who was on it.
As the day progressed light visibility dropped quickly due to the hills shading the track adding another challenge for the riders. Under 19 Men started the finals off and racing was tight, under two seconds separated the top three riders. Matt Taylor just pipped Bryce Wing, who had a crash in his seeding run which pushed him down the list.
Under 19 Men:
1. Matthew Taylor 2.33.67
2. Bryce Wing 2.34.77 + 1.10
3. Sam Keogh 2.35.51 + 1.84
4. James Chambers 2.35.84 + 2.17
5. Charlie Martindale 2.38.42 + 4.75
After Under 19 a relatively large Elite Women field raced andA�it was Jolene Knight who took a resounding victory. Jolene has just moved down from Queensland and has ridden with Tracey Hannah back home, no surprise then that she knows how to handle a bike!
Elite Women:
1. Jolene Knight 2.58.70
2. Molly Payne 3.12.06 +13.36
3. Julie Harris 3.37.29 + 38.59
4. Carol Moore 3:38.32 + 39.62
5. Sheree Dickinson 3.38.50 + 39.80
Time for Elite Men and these guys were serious, we mean really serious. Riders had the trainers out warming up and down before and after runs, something we haven’t scene much of in the State Series.
As the racing proceeded the light continued to drop, in the end Connor Fearon showed a clean pair of heels by over two seconds. He had some different lines to other riders, his overseas experience and skill clearly showing. From second through to fifth was much more of a contest being separated by only 2.55 seconds. Mr Consistent for 2012 is Steve Gebert who placed second here at Fox, Dave West showed you don’t need a big bike to go fast, just skill! He was third just under three seconds behind Connor, on a bike with five inches of rear travel. The winner of Round 1, Ngari Jenkins, placed fourth, we are going toA�predict this years overall series winner is going to be a battle between Steve Gebert and Ngari. With plenty of South Aussie riders heading overseas, expect these two to battle it out for the overall. Simon Buzacott rounded out the top five despite saying he wasn’t feeling comfortable this weekend.
Elite Men:
1. Connor Fearon 2.25.53
2. Steve Gebert 2.27.54 + 2.01
3. Dave West 2.28.52 + 2.99
4. Ngari Jenkins 2.28.55 + 3.02
5. Simon Buzacott 2.30.08 + 4.55
Round three heads to Melrose, a short but sweetA�track, stay tuned.
Great wrap-up
Be great if you could get some of this write up in the Mount Barker Courier sports section