ATV’S CARVE IT UP AT COLAC

QRCV POLARIS STATE 8 ATV MX SERIES
By Trudy Van Vliet

Like the previous meeting held in Canberra, the pits were like a Mardi Gras with all the new factory teams present in full force.
The morning initiated with a busy 7am start and the pits were full with teams, families and spectators.
The loamy Colac track was in pristine condition and all riders were looking forward to start the days racing.

Race 1 of the Pro Class was full of expectations with Junior riders stepping up to Pro and new teams out on their first ride. The 15-minute moto was going to prove tough as all riders have stepped up their training programs with fitness being their main aim. LBM Polaris team rider Aaron Ovens had a great start to the day taking out the lead from the beginning. Young Cameron Wade was right up the pointy end with Anthony Dellios close on his heels. By the 2nd lap Dellios pushed past Wade taking up 2nd position giving back Wade the urge to chase. Young 16 year old Mitch Van Vliet, having his debut race in Pro, had a lot to prove that he was up to the standard and pace of all the other riders. Not to be out down Van Vliet threw out the gauntlet and held his position of 4th throughout the race. New Factory Can Am rider Paul Smith on board his new quad rode a great race showing the rest of the field what you can do on a stock quad in a Pro race.

Race 2 saw the field change with Dellios giving his quad a big squirt to take out the holeshot. Dellios has proved that fitness plays a big role in the sport showing the rest of the field his back , never losing the lead. LBM Polaris rider Ovens was in hot pursuit with Van Vliet hot on his tale. With the ruts increasing in size and the berms getting thicker and thicker there was not much room for overtaking and yet plenty of room for mistakes. Once again Can Am rider Smith showed the crowd what a stock quad can do and overtook Van Vliet to take up 3rd place. SA rider Daryl Watson along with Wade and local rider Brett Clissold had a race of their own throwing their quads around the track trying to get in front of each other.

Race 3 proved the best moto for all spectators to watch as young 16 yo Mitch Van Vliet took up Dellios’s challenge and took out the holeshot. Dellios and LBM Polaris rider Ovens were hot on his heels pushing their quads to the extreme making the most of every berm and line trying to overtake Van Vliet. Van Vliet pushed on never succumbing to the pressure. Ovens took to the bush at one stage giving Dellios a clean move up to 2nd only to be passed by hungry Ovens in the 5th lap. The three hard charges were putting on a spectacular race with both Smith and Wade having their own battle for 4th.
Ovens experience was proved as he passed Van Vliet in the 2nd last lap leaving Dellios to be content with 3rd.
Overall Ovens took 1st place with Dellios in 2nd and an extremely happy Van Vliet on the podium with 3rd.

LBM Polaris team rider Aaron Ovens commented “The track has had a lot of work done to it and the surface is really good. I am very happy with my ride and the quad is handling really well. I have had a bit of time to work on it with great results and my main aim is to stay out of trouble” Ovens pulled up a bit sore due to his rib injury at Canberra but cant wait to race at the Tri-State Series up in Mt Gambier.

Support Classes

Womens Class had a fantastic turn out with over 8 riders present. Jeanette Lindsay was on board a Kawasaki giving that a whirl showing the rest of the field it doesnt matter what she rides she always goes full noise. Vicky Eden took her quad out of hibernation also showing the field that she was there for business and not just a ride. New comers to the class Victorian rider Tania Hutchins, NSW rider Jessica Andrews and Can AM team rider Lisa Hoyle (Mrs Bullet) were certainly making their presence felt.

Hoyle (Mrs Bullet) on board her new Factory Can Am ride commented “ I love my new quad as it is very comfortable to ride. This is the 2nd time on board my new ride and I’m having a fantastic time. The ski jumps are a bit scary and a new experience for me but I’m getting more and more experience with them which is great”

In moto 1 Lindsay took the lead constantly pulling away from the rest of the field. Hoyle was giving chase to Eden and Nicole Clark along with Ainsley Anderson were having a competition of their own.
Moto 2 proved much the same with all girls on the charge. Moto 3 saw Hoyle have a bit of an upset throwing her back down into last place.

Lindsay had 3 straight wins giving her a clean sweep for 1st place, Eden took out 2nd leaving a consistent Hoyle with 3rd.

The Juniors never let the Quad fraternity down showing a lot of great skill and sportsmanship throughout the day.
Young rider Aidan Robinson was having a great battle with Sam Taylor when Taylors 50cc stock quad hit a bump and tipped him off only for the quad to pin his little body down. Robinson was to the rescue stopping and lending a helping hand to get the quad off his mate. The crowd cheered and the boys grinned and took off to finish the race.
The 300cc Junior class saw Local Rider Adam Larson take out straight wins and Jake Van Vliet stepping up his pace to take out 2nd in all 3 motos. Young Female rider Chloe Beer is proving her talent, also stepping up the pace especially in the 1st corner showing she is fearless and not backing down for anyone.

Vets over 35 Class is still growing with a great field of all types of calibre in the riders. These men are courageous, heroic and old according to the juniors. Hole shot proves to be the biggest adrenalin rush for all and if you get the hole shot, you are the hero. Victorian rider Chris Marks, the baby of the group, is giving the men a run for their money taking out 3 straight wins. Following close on his wheels is Can Am rider Rick Beer with both riders pulling away from the field. Rob Van Vliet gave chase, as did NSW Anthony Parsons. SA rider Daniel Penraat on board his KTM was also there in full force and one to be reckoned with.
Moto 3 was the crowd pleaser with Van Vliet and Beer having a tassel rebounding off each other only to bounce off the track and then be thrown back into each other again.
Over all Marks took a convincing 1st place podium, Beer in 2nd and a consistent Parsons in 3rd.

Production Class was full of Can Am riders with Darrell Knight ( Bullet) off his Jumbo Junior and onto his new Can Am 450 ride. Not to be outdone by Mrs Bullet, Knight showed that he is a very versatile rider on board his new quad.
Bullet stated “ I love my new Can am quad and it is very easy to adapt to. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the quad I just need to learn how to ride it.”
Bullet definitely proved himself having 2nd place in all 3 motos. Local rider Tait Ovens was also out in full force with his 3 straight wins and Can Am team mate Rick Beer had straight 3rd place positions.
Both Jason Pope and Kegan Ballantine gave chase with the close field so positions were tight all day.

With points accumulating for the QRCV 2008 Championships, all riders will be out in full force for the next round being the Tri-State Series up in Mt Gambier on the 18th May, 2008.