Events > ACT Kings and Queens Dirt Track

Kings and Queens Dirt Track Canberra
January 2005

The ACTMCC conducted their annual Kings and Queens Dirt Track meeting over the weekend 23/24 January 2005. The format of the event has all Junior racing on the Saturday and then Sunday focuses solely on the Seniors. The event is the first big hitout for the year on the dirt track calendar and some big names make it along to make it a pretty serious affair.

The last race of the day, the K&Q Final, saw a torrid 5 lapper on a track that had developed a nice hard blue groove, the big guns impressing the crowd with blue smoke pouring off their overworked rear tyres through the fast uphill sweeper. Troy Herfoss on a CRF450 Honda took the win from slider mounted 'Rocket' Rod McDonald with past Aussie champ Paul Caslick in third.

Of course, of more interest to us is that the club catered to the old bikes with a 'Classic' class that was well subscribed. Initially running as two heats, it eventually became a single heat as numbers dwindled due to bike problems, but by the end of the day there were still nearly a dozen fronting the starting grid.

Some of the classic riders rode in other events, including the Over 35s (cleaned up unsurprisingly by Caslick!). What was interesting to note was that the classics put on a good show in those classes. The differences are not huge, and if it wasn't for the one really heavy braking area the bikes would be very competitive.

The other interesting thing was that the crowd loved the Classics, I heard a lot of positive comment from spectators as I wandered around the track. This class is really growing, and with the ACT club supporting the class, and the number of events the club runs each year, I can only see this trend continuing. I've heard rumours of quite a few bikes being readied for vintage/evo racing this year, so bring it on.

Finally, a big congratulations to the ACT club for the professional managment of the event. The facilities are good, the track prepped and maintained to perfection, and the commentary etc was top class. Well done all.