Flying bikes thrill Easter crowd

The bikes flew and thrilled a large crowd in attendance at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club – 2014 Easter Arena Motorcross on Easter Saturday night. An enthusiastic crowd also enjoyed the extra free show put on by Freestyle Motorcross stars, Blake “Bilko” Williams and new sensation “J O” Archer, both during the sundown race break and immediately after the “King of the Murray” finals were decided. The FMX shows were put on under the direction of Freestyle superstar, Cam Sinclair, who is a regular visitor to Mildura, especially enjoying all the motorsport which Mildura has to offer over the long break. Some great racing was witnessed during the three heat rounds which confronted all riders. Riders then contested longer distance finals where the results would be decided. A flawless finals performance by Victorian “A” grade rider Justin Carafa saw him become the Open class King of the Murray, with a great display ahead of Ouyen’s Nathan Trigg and Josh Spanos, from the Riverland, ahead of Michael Menchi, who came home in fourth place. Carafa took the “holeshot” and was never headed during the grueling twelve lap final although Trigg and Spanos always remained in touch, but were clearly ahead of the pack. Trigg was able to share the main spoils when he won the “A” Lites section of competition ahead of Ryan Shadbolt, Lachlan Davis and last year’s King of the Murray in Mark Grove. Visitor, Sam Davie took the holeshot and led for the early laps but it was Trigg’s Enduro fitness which saw him take over to win the ten lap journey. The “B” Lite King of the Murray title went to Broken Hill rider, Callum Dodimead, who dominated his division, riding clean lines and jumping well to win over former speedway regular at Olympic Park, Karlis Ezergalis and another Silver City rider, Todd Quin, with Ben Miller in fourth place. In the “B” and “C” grade Open machines which were combined, but were scored in their classes; Moulamein rider Tim O’Brien finished first in the “B” section, ahead of Broken Hill’s Matt Quin with Angus Francis in third place. In the “C” section Karl Claridge ahead of Jesse Jordan and Brad Leith with Broken Hill’s Cec Fraser and Madden Paul in fourth and fifth places respectively. The “C” Lite division was hotly contested with local rider, Cody Ryan taking the King of the Murray title away from Karl Claridge, Connor Hallewell and Matthew Ashman-Copley. The Junior 125 to 250 cc class saw some determined competition but was dominated by local rider, Taylor Adams, who was declared the “Rider of the Night” with splendid performances in both the 125’s and the 85 to 150 cc class, which he won convincingly. Adams was never troubled in a stand out performance where Cody Jones took second and local rider Jack Coleman was third. As mentioned, Taylor Adams also dominated the smaller category where Davin Bartlett took second ahead of local Liam Dinnage who took the minor placing. Top rider in the small group of 65cc machines went to Denzel Woulfe, with Sam Pretscherer and Max Phillips in the minor placings. The large Easter crowd enjoyed the spectacular action of the ArenaX but were thrilled even more when they enjoyed two great interludes of the best Freestyle Motorcross going around, when entertained both during the sundown break, with a teasing show put on by Cam Sinclair’s FMX men. This twenty minute opportunity gave the earlybirds at the event a taste of things to come with some wonderful “whips” from the young “J O” while “Bilko” gave just a taste of the “back flip” jumps for which he has become famous. This International troupe then put on a spectacular display of FMX, immediately after the “King of the Murray” finals with some amazing “helicopter” jumps. More “whips” and some spectacular “freight train” jumping where both riders were in mid air at the same time doing both helicopters and an impressive “hands free” backflip from Bilko. The crowd’s great enthusiasm and warm applause coaxed even greater skills from the pair as they enjoyed their work which included some excellent” lazy boy” styling, “seat grabs” and “cliffhanger” action. All the while Bilko continued with massive backflip action which drew gasps from those in awe of the action. The free to patrons FMX provided a wonderful finish to the night and all patrons would have gone home just waiting for the next time that the FMX stars return to Olympic Park. Discussions are already underway to have the troupe return, with a special promise from Sinclair himself, to return to Olympic Park when he is fit and riding again.” Sincs” has just recently re-injured a former leg break during training and told Mildura officials that he is keen to come and put on a full show at Olympic Park, just so as he can soak up some more of the amazing Mildura atmosphere. Sinclair was blown away by the reception his riders received, saying that the young “J O” was just starting out and was a radical rider, who was learning so much about the trade from himself and Bilko Williams.