OUTLAW TRI STATE ATV MX SERIES ROUND 2 – MT GAMBIER

BY Trudy Van Vliet

Campers filled the open pits on the Saturday night as the heavens opened in South Australia, only to wake up on race day with the sun shining. Mt Gambier MX club along with the Watson family had the track in pristine condition for all to enjoy.

Riders from NSW, SA, QLD and Victoria all presented for an early morning start. Entries were at their best and highest with over 110 quads to be scrutineered so racing was sure to be a thriller.

Pro Race moto 1 saw LBM Polaris Race Team rider Luke Beechey take to the track like a duck takes to water. Taking the holeshot Beechey was the one to watch as he flew over the tabletops in a scorching 1 min 23 sec lap. Hot on his heels was young rider Mitch Van Vliet who unfortunately spun out in the first corner relegating him back to last. LBM Polaris Race Team partner Aaron Ovens closed the gap and chased Beechey down with Can AM race team rider Michael Roycroft in hot pursuit.
Beechey had checked out leaving Ovens in open space trying to hunt him down. Meanwhile Roycroft, CanAm Team Rider Paul Smith, Hardiman ATV Kawasaki Team rider Paul Worth along with Van Vliet were having a race of their own. At the 10-minute mark Beechey still held the lead with Ovens closing down on him fast only to pass Beechey in the 4th last lap of the moto. Smith held his ground coming in 3rd with Worth in 4th and Colac rider Cameron Wade coming in a close 5th.

In the 2nd moto young Van Vliet was determined to get it right. Pulling off the holeshot Van Vliet took to the jumps like he was flying a jet plane. Not to be outdone by Beechey, Van Vliet pulled in a hot 1min 23 sec lap as well. Roycroft had an amazing get off through the whoops and Smith and Wade tangled leaving Wade with a dislocated shoulder and out of contention. Anthony Dellios was trying to close the gap with Van Vliet as was Ovens and Beechey however once Van Vliet was in front no one was going to pass him leaving Ovens to contend with 2nd and Worth putting in a huge effort to come in 3rd.
Van Vliet Stated “ I’m blown away with my very 1st Pro race win. The track is awesome and I felt good with the way I rode. I’m learning heaps from all the other Pro riders and getting some great experience with my racing"

The 3rd Moto this time saw Dellios take the holeshot only to get passed by Ovens over the 1st jump. Van Vliet had a good start but was forced out into the soft stuff getting bogged down and losing a few positions. Racing was fierce and fast leaving no room for errors. Smith had bad luck blowing out a shock leaving his quad looking like a ground sweeper and local rider Daryl Watson had a pretty average race on board a strange ride since having mechanical problems all day. Beechey had a bad start but made up huge ground continually passing and chasing the field down giving him 3rd for the moto.

Polaris would have been very pleased with their team as Ovens took out overall 1st and team rider Beechey took 2nd. Consistent rides from Worth saw him take out 3rd and only 1 point behind was Van Vliet in 4th.

Support Classes

Womens class had a huge grid with new riders coming out of the woodwork. Ashe Kawasaki Team rider Jeanette Lindsay on board her stock ride put in a huge effort over the entire day. Dirt Angles rider Patrisha Bartley had her work cut out for her after snapping an axil in practice and South Australian rider Donna Newman was a force to be reckoned with. In moto 1, Newman spun out on the notorious 1st corner that seemed to be catching everyone out relegating her back to last however Newman made up huge ground putting her back into contention for the trophy. Moto 3 saw Lindsay have the moment of the day. Wondering why she had an average start and couldn’t change gears Lindsay realised she had left the park brake on, on her stock ride. Once the brake was off Lindsay checked out leaving the field behind.
Overall Lindsay took 1st, Bartley in 2nd and a very happy Newman in 3rd.
Lindsay stated “ I love the track. The Kawasaki is good off the start and I will be very happy once it is wired. It will be heaps faster and a lot safer to land”

Vets are becoming the race to watch next to Pro. Now being the biggest field watching the 1st corner saw everyone up on the fence. SA rider Hustler ATV race team rider Daniel Penraat had a fantastic start to the day only to get tangled up in the 1st corner in moto 2 and 3. NSW rider Peter Middleton also had a few moments and mechanical problems but managed to hold the field off. Can Am rider Rick Beer was very eager only to jump the start and get hooked up in the gates leaving him last off the grid, however putting in a huge effort over the day saw Beer win the 3rd moto. Can Am team rider Darrell Knight took his racing to the limits bumping and crashing in his first moto. Getting his act together saw Knight win the 2nd moto convincingly.
Overall Middleton took out 1st followed by Beer in 2nd and an extremely consistent Anthony Parsons in 3rd.

Clubman Class has a fast growing field. New comer to the racing scene Victorian Rider Justin Smith certainly was given his initiation from the other more experienced riders. 1st corner saw Smith been pushed and shoved relegating him back down the field. Once he got his confidence there was no turning around, seeing him put in a huge effort for the last moto coming in a convincing 2nd. Brad Hutchins is certainly making his presence felt showing the other riders his skill and agility taking out overall 1st. Hot on his heels were new comers Nathan Watson and Alistair Watson.

Junior racing is getting even more competitive as the year goes on. In the 90cc class we saw youngest Van Vliet member Cooper stop to ask his friend Alexander Sabbatucci if he was all right. There were quiet a few get offs but all of the riders seem to bounce back up and get right back on their tiny quads and keep racing.

Not to be outdone is the very entertaining Jumbo Juniors Class. These oversized men on their tiny quads put on a huge performance for all spectators. Victorian father of Four Brothers racing Rob Van Vliet once again provided a comic act. Being pushed off the track by a fellow rider, Van Vliet took to the skies over a berm somersaulting in the air only to jump up back on his feet to the roar of the crowd.
Having to race his oldest son 16yo Mitch Van Vliet makes for some serious racing also. In moto 1 and 3, history was made as father and son took out 1st and 2nd with Mitch in the lead taking overall 1st place. Phil Ede who also has many antics of his own put in a consistent and effortless ride coming in with over all 2nd leaving Rob to contend with 3rd.

The last round of the Outlaw Tri State Series is in August at Toolleen, Central Victoria that should provide some amazing racing for the final championship positions.