The gods were smiling on Hattah for 2023, 25 years since the first event we had perfect conditions, that Mallee sand looking good enough to eat. Over 800 riders tackled 3 tracks over 2 days. I was there for some photography, to share a frothy or two with mates and to watch Australia’s best off-road racers go at it, here’s what went down.
Small wheel Juniors – Saturday's first race is the youngsters, these kids are great to watch, both the talent and enthusiasm off the charts. Seeing a 7-year-old hold a 65 wide open down a whooped-out deep sand straight just warms the heart of this old dirt biker.
Above - Junior small wheels winner Levi Rossi with his very proud dad. Rounding out the podium was Declan Smart and Chase Weston.
Above - Current Auspromx MX3 points leader Byron Dennis was on big bro duties for his sister Eliza who prologued 5th out of the whole small wheels field and was by far the fastest girl, but unfortunately DNF’d the race, the same fate that would befall Byron the next day.
Above – 65cc action as Stella Harding battles with Zane O’Conner.
Big wheel juniors – Over 250 whipper snappers lined up for Saturday’s main event. It was worth the trip for West Australian young gun Jackson Versteegen who won on his Savage Motorcycles backed Gas Gas.
Jackson, along with Ollie Gear 2nd and Levi Stephens 3rd finished within 20 seconds of each other after racing for over 1 ½ hours.
Above – Versteegen-81, grinning like a winner, and Gear-521 oh so close.
Above – I'm not sure who this big wheel’s junior is but ain’t it a sweet photo!
Senior Top Ten – After the junior events on Saturday the seniors prologue, then the top ten heads straight into a shootout.
Here are the results.
⦁ Callum Norton
⦁ Jack Simpson
⦁ Korey McMahon
⦁ Mason Semmens
⦁ Todd Waters
⦁ Connor Adams
⦁ Sam Pretscherer
⦁ Nathan Trigg
⦁ Andy Wilksch
⦁ Brodie Waters
Norton getting P1 for the big dance, despite only just sneaking into the top ten.
Above – I can confirm the great man was there, hopefully making plans to race next year.
Senior race – Hattah morning is just awesome as a spectator, it goes from very chill to full noise, no in between. Its simply push your bikes to the line, then race. And the start of the race is just magic, over 400 bikes, I can’t really put it into words.
Above – Jack Simpson at Mach 3 towards the end of lap 1.
Returning from his WORCS racing efforts in the US, Jack Simpson took the early lead, Norton had issues and fell from the lead group on lap 2, leaving Mason Semmens in 2nd and gradually closing on Simpson. My pre-race favourite Todd Waters dropped well back and retired mid-race after getting coat hangered by an overhead branch!
Above – Privateer Jaron Dunstan exploding a berm
Above – the desert pit stop essential, easy digging in the sand.
By lap 6 the battle was well and truly on, Semmens took the lead from Simpson and managed to gap him, holding on for his maiden victory, Simpson 2nd and Korey McMahon 3rd
Semmens, like Simpson back home from US racing duties, Semmens though competing in GNCC, a far cry from the desert, skills are skills.
Above – Semmens claims victory
If you’ve never been then best you get around it, race, spectate, pit crew, photographer, whatever you go is, go get it. I reckon the desert and Riverina is a top part of the country, but I’m a little biased.
Go Riding
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