The MPE Suspension Central Queensland Motocross Championships were hosted at Mosquito Creek Motocross track at Emerald on February 24 and 25.
The series consists of five rounds – Emerald, Rockhampton (March 10 and 11), Middlemount (April 28 and 29), Mackay (May 5 and 6) and Yeppoon (June 30 and July 1). The competition is held each year and is contested by riders throughout the state including riders from Cairns down to Gladstone and west to Cloncurry.
The Emerald Junior Motocross Club track was lucky enough to host the first round which is always hotly contested as it the opening round for the season.
There were a total of 184 riders and nearly 230 bikes for the weekend. The track was primed for competition thanks to the many hours from club volunteers. Saturday provided perfect racing conditions with a fast track and perfect weather and some amazing racing on show.
In the QMX1 Class the top three riders were: Luke Weaver, Ryan Eden and Jake Valinoti picking up where they left off last year and providing some great action. Luke Weaver emerged as the winner at the end of the weekend.
In junior classes two of Australia's top riders - Tye Jones (Junior Lites 2 stroke and 4 stroke) and Brad West (Mini Lites) were on show and were in amazing form - both going 1-1 in their respective classes to take out the round.
Luckily the rain held out long enough to complete racing on Saturday however the heavens opened on Saturday night and dumped around 80mm on the track to see racing cancelled on Sunday.
On a lighter note it was quite amusing to see riders from Longreach standing in the drizzling rain late Saturday afternoon wondering what this stuff falling from the sky was..... and hoping it was on the way to them next.
The next round kicks off in Rockhampton and is expected to be just as big and hotly contested. And, as Rockhampton will host one round of the Queensland Titles on July 7 and 8, many riders will be keen to get on the track and get to know it a little better.
Emerald will also host the Queensland Womens Championships on July 28 and 29 so it is set to be a huge year for Central Queensland Motocross and is a real testament to the quality of the tracks and riders in Central Queensland. – Sharon Pease