From http://www.supermotard.com.au/ - Check there for some fantastic gallery pictures, and lots of other information about supermotard racing in Australia
New South Wales was finally able to feel, see and hear the joys of the Yamaha Australian Supermotard series when the final round was held under perfect Autumn weather at Wakefield Park, south of Sydney.
The largest field of the series so far was given a riding demonstration from the seemingly unbeatable KTM rider Greg Moss. Moss won 10 of the 12 available races in the series and not even a glitch in getting to the starting grid in time prevented him from clean sweeping the Yamaha All Powers Supermotard races.
Starting from pit lane in the final and longest race of the series, Moss chased down the entire field to win just moments before Mark Avard, Yamaha (Procycles/ Metzler) and Jon Hafey (Husqvarna) Toowoomba Bikes & Bits.
Avard, on his relatively lesser powered bike, was able to harass the leaders throughout the day but was unable to nose ahead when it mattered in the feature races. Hafey, Ricky Rice, KTM (Action M/C /Bruce Wood racing) and Josh Foster, KTM (Troy Corser Racing/ Rob Carter Developments) were all new comers to the series and made great impressions on the leader board with Hafey's spectacular antics earning third overall with Avard second overall.
Although unable to place in podiums in the last round, Robbie Hermans, Yamaha (Pakenham Yamaha) was able to finish third in the series with due to great consistency.
Fortune did not smile upon Brett Hickman, KTM who started the day 11 points ahead of Moss only to succumb to mechanical difficulties in the Sportsbike Tyre Warmers Prestige class. Hafey took full advantage of the situation and finished 2-2-1 to beat Moss overall by 2 points and Foster rounding out the top three. Grit and strong determination kept Lucas Reynolds, Honda (Peter Stevens Motorcycles) ahead of the points table in Alpinestars Sports Supermotard class finishing the day with 1-7-5 positions.
The round honors went to Adam Cini, Husqvarna (Motorex) with 7-3-1 places gaining confidence as the day progressed, Avard had his work cut out for him when his title hopes went with a small spill in the first leg. The 19th place in the opening race with 1-4in the others for Avard, allowed Reynolds to ride accordingly to take the overall trophy. Graham Cheney on a Yamaha, Nick Selleck with his Honda and Foster riding Troy Corser's YZ400 battled hard throughout the day with spectacular hard sliding from all. Shaun Giles on his DRZ 400 was unable to continue after finishing 5th in his introduction to the series, a stomach bug the culprit.
Selleck streaked away in the points to secure the AGV Supermotard All powers Non expert class. It wasn't all his way though with Cheney taking the days overall points score, 16 year old Nick Clee (Bendigo Yamaha) and Jordan Mann, KTM and Matt Pace on a Yamaha all having digs at the front.
Avard convincingly took the spoils in the one make series Yamaha Cup but it was Cheney who took the narrowest margin possible of overall points beating Graham Smith, Yamaha (Julie Cogan Racing) by one point with Scott Roots ,Yamaha (Pro form Cycles) . Darren Taylor (Geoff Taylor Racing) exited early from the day with a broken leg but was still able to secure third with second place in the series going to Scott Stephens.
Sharp Racing Clubman was a class introduced to the series for riders who did not wish to convert their bikes to Supermotard trim and the bikes needed to have 21" front wheels. Mann was able to take the points in front of rice on a KTM 400 but it was third place finisher, Mick Kelly on an ancient Yamaha WR500 who gave a demonstration of rear wheel steering coming off the fastest bitumen corner on the circuit completely sideways lap after lap. A true demonstration of riding skill.
With the inaugural Yamaha Australian series now over it is onwards and upwards heading to the soon to be announced 2003 series which will be run from around late September to Late March.
With a round of the World Supermoto championships in November at Broadford, Supermotard Australia will continue to bring out Australia's most versatile and skilled riders and show them to the people.
Stay tuned!
Paul Caridi
Supermotard Australia - http://www.supermotard.com.au/