ALLANSFORD motocross rider Archie Parsons is primed for Victoria’s first major motocross competition of the year – the 2016 Shipwreck Coast 2-Day Open – which will be hosted by the Shipwreck Coast Motorcycle Club next weekend, January 23-24.
The 9-year-old competed in the 2015 Barry Francis Western Region Motocross Series where he impressively finished second overall in the 50cc grade. “I did really well in the 50cc grade. It was a great learning experience and I had a lot of fun,” Archie said.
“I love riding motocross. I love the fact that you can ride different motorbikes, change gears and you learn heaps of things,” Archie added.
The Shipwreck Coast Motorcycle Club expects to welcome well-over 200 of the state’s best senior and junior motocross riders for its annual two-day open event. Club president Alan Primmer said the club is ready to kick-start the New Year in style.
“We’ve been doing a bit of work to the track over the Christmas break. We’ve extended the track to about 150 metres,” Alan said.
“We’ve put in a couple of whoops and a berm. We always like to make the track a little bit different so it doesn’t get too boring for our riders,” Alan added. “We’ve also put fresh sand down, and if it doesn’t rain between now and then, we’ll water it,” Alan added.
Archie is also a big fan of his local hometown track. “I’ve been out to the track and it’s changed. It’s really good,” Archie said. “Since they’ve put a massive roller in, corners, jumps and some whoops it is heaps better. We’ve been practicing a lot,” Archie said.
Alan said the two-day open will be a great dress rehearsal for the club as it will host the illustrious second round of the 2016 Victorian Junior Motocross Championships on April 9-10.
“It’ll be a bit of a test run for sure. We might also host a round of the Western Region MX Series before the Victorian Championships, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet,” he added.
Alan would like to thank the club’s tireless volunteers for all their help in getting the club ready, especially Rodger Laycock for preparing the track, and Club Secretary Tracy Chilton.
The club will also be running a fundraising raffle at the gate for 19-year-old Illowa local Corey Hawks who was injured in an accident in November who has since been making a slow recovery.
The 2016 Shipwreck Coast 2-Day Open takes place on Buckley’s Road, Lake Gillear in Allansford from Saturday, January 23. Racing starts at 9am. You can still enter the event online at Cloudentries.
For further information please visit www.motorcyclingvic.com.au.