Locals become Australian champions as Forbes auto sports hosts huge weekend

Locals have claimed Australian titles on their home track after Forbes Auto Sports Club hosted the Australian Junior Dirt Track Titles over two big days. There were 16 local riders amongst a field of 116 who made the trip to Forbes to compete, some travelling from as far as far north Queensland to compete across 13 different classes. Forbes Auto Sports Club President Jake Redfern said the meeting was highly successful. "Overall it was a great meeting with plenty of people out there, great weather and great racing on display," he said. Local riders have won three first place finishes, five second place finishes and one third place finish. Mason Redfern came away with an Aussie title in the 110cc 4 stroke 7-12 years support class, Sam Drane won the 100cc to 150cc 2 stroke 13-16 years championship and Lockie Duggan won the 85cc 4 stroke modified class. Second place finishes also went to Sam in the 200cc to 250cc 4 stroke 13-16 years, and Lockie in the 85cc 2 stroke and 150cc 4 stroke 9-13 years. Local riders who were also lucky enough to claim second place were Taylah Duggan in the 85cc 2 stroke and 150cc 4 stroke 11-16 years class, Holly Hope-Hodgetts in the 100cc to 150cc 2 stroke and 200cc to 250cc 4 stroke 13-16 years class and Mason Wild in the 65cc 2 stroke 7-9 years class. Riley Stephenson claimed a third place finish in the 110cc 4 stroke 7-12 years - support class. Other local riders who competed on the weekend included Reggie Anderson, Porter Collits, Hayden, Lenny and Roy Duggan, Hugh Hope-Hodgetts, Harry Redfern, Jock Stibbard and Reed Wild. Classes competed in four heats where riders then qualified for repechage and finals. Jake said holding the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship in Forbes is good for the club financially and it allows future committees to do the same in the future. "It's pretty good financially, it's pretty good for the club as well as being able to pull a meeting like that off, if any of the future committees wanted to take on any events like that they would have the opportunity to now that we've done that and it's great for the local riders in this region," he said. "We had a lot of good sponsors on board lot of local businesses got behind us which was great and we had a great team of volunteers, small but great team of volunteers who put a lot of effort into making the event happen," Jake said. Well done to all of our local riders and congratulations to those who placed during the weekend.