Local motorbike riders Hugh Hope-Hodgetts and Beau Bailey have claimed their first state titles at the 2019 NSW Junior Dirt Track Championships.
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The championships were hosted at Taree Motorcycle Club this year on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday. July 14.
Hugh Hope-Hodgetts and Beau Bailey claimed wins in the 7 to under 10 85cc Modified Class and the 9 to under 13 85cc/150cc Class respectively.
It is Beau's first year in the 9 to under 13 age category, making him one of the youngest competitors.
Hugh also secured third place in the 7 to under 9 65cc Class, while Beau also placed second in the 9 to under 11 65cc Class.
The NSW Junior Dirt Track Championships are hosted at a different track every year.
Hayley Hope-Hodgetts said while it is called dirt track, this year the titles were held at Taree Motorcycle Club (Old Bar) which is an oil track.
An oil track requires different tyres and a few different settings for bikes, and is a different surface for riding than granite, which Hayley said can be tricky if you are not used to it.
Both Hugh and Beau are members of the Forbes Auto Sports Club, but they train regularly at Cowra Motorcycle Club, where they race monthly.
Along with training at the Cowra Motorcycle Club and training regularly at home Hugh plays football for Red Bend Junior Rugby League in Under 10's and currently is training for athletics.
Hugh said he first rode a motorbike when he was three and started racing when when he was four.
He has competed in several Australian Titles before and five State Titles, placing second place in the 2019 QLD Dirt Track Titles as well as a third place in the 2019 QLD Long Track Titles and the 2018 Vic Dirt Track Titles.
Hugh said one of the things that he likes about riding is the social aspect of being able to ride with his friends.
He rides a range of bikes including a Husqvarna 65cc, Honda 80cc Modified and his sister's Honda 80cc Standard.
"Dad built me a track at home, so [I] practice there most days and then race every weekend somewhere different," Hugh said
Beau has been riding motorcycles since he was three years old and said he usually rides a Yamaha 85cc and a KTM 65cc.
The freedom of riding is one of the main things Beau said he enjoys most about racing.
Beau has previously competed in four titles, claiming third place in the 2017 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships in the 65cc 7-9 years age division. Beau will spend the next two months preparing for his next goal, an Australian title at the Australian Championships which will be held on the Central Coast in September.
