2017 FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship
It might have been Father’s Day, but the competitors of the Biogenetics Newcastle International SuperMoto were firmly focused on the green light of the start line.
The Postie Bike Challenge kicked off the day’s proceedings, proving that horsepower isn’t everything as the 110cc machines negotiated the same track as their SuperMoto counterparts.
Racing throughout the day was tight and fast, with the difference in the finish order often coming down to who made the least errors.
Precision and concentration were essential on such a demanding track and a number of riders chose to sit out a race to avoid fatigue.
Good starts were essential to avoid the crunch as the circuit transitioned from the speedway section to the tar via dirt stop-jump.
Longford (VIC) based ex motocross racer Adam Miller controlled the FIM Oceania Championship races and topped the Biogenetics Australia FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship
Overall standings at the end of the day saw Adam Miller declared the outright victor while Ben Attard made his return to competition after a number of years away, but showed he still had incredible pace to claim second overall ahead of Dirt and Flat Track star Michael Kirkness.
American Gage McAllister had the speed but a poor start forced him to work through the pack for a second place in race two which cost him an outright podium in the championship.
Miller came second in the 2016 Stay Upright Australian Supermoto Championship and is aiming to go one better when the Titles go on the line in Western Australia later this year.
Adam Miller
“It’s an honour to take out the first FIM Oceania Championship. So many of the guys in the race are already champions in their respective disciplines so it was an incredible feeling to cross the line first. The crowd really helped, they were so vocal and it was a real experience to race in such an environment.”
For Gage McAllister, it was about finding the positives in a challenging weekend
“I’ve had a great time here in Australia, the riders are of such a high standard and the track really tested us out. I’d love to come back and race again next year. To be here with my Dad and to have been able to race against him in the Race of Champions is going to be a very special memory.” Neither McAllister is leaving empty handed. Gage claimed second place in the Race of Champions and Dad Brok secured first place in the over 50 Vets class.
Australian Dirt Track Champion Michael Kirkness competed in three classes and claimed a podium in each. First in the Race of Champions, second in the Newcastle International Pro class and third in the FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship. After taking the podium holding his two-week-old son, Kirkness said.
“This has been an incredible weekend, the calibre of riders and the track layout meant the racing was close and hard fought and it was great to be a part of it.”
FIM Oceania Board Member representative Simon Maas was in attendance over the weekend.
“The FIM Oceania racing was outstanding and showcased the best of a SuperMoto and we are proud to crown a new SuperMoto champion. It was great to see world champions and riders from around the world competing against Australia’s very best. There is no doubt that the SuperMoto is one of the most exciting forms of racing, bringing together the very best elements from road racing, motocross and dirt track. FIM Oceania is extremely proud to have worked with Boyd Events, the event partners and sponsors and look forward to working together for many years to come” said Mr Maas.
Riders were also overwhelmingly positive in their praise of the event and the work of the promoter, Boyd Events. But Graeme Boyd is already thinking of next year and the possibility of the current world champion competing.
“The racing was excellent, the weather was perfect, it was a great way to celebrate Father’s Day!”
The FIM Oceania SuperMoto Championship has been secured for Newcastle, through the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
2017 FIM Oceania SuperMoto Championship Results
Biogenetics Australia FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship
- Adam Miller
- Ben Attard
- Michael Kirkness
Newcastle International Supermoto Pro
- Andy Mcliesh
- Michael Kirkness
- Jarrod Wilson
The Race of Champions
- Michael Kirkness
- Gage McAllister (USA)
- Jarred Brook
World Vets Challenge (over 35 – under 40 years)
- Brad Trivett
- Jason Morris
- Alex Ippolito
World Vets Challenge (over 45 – under 50 years)
- Troy Bayliss
- Paul Caslick
- Eric Chia (Singapore)
Newcastle International Supermoto Women
- Meghan Rutledge
- Stephany James
- Lahrra Cloak
Newcastle International Supermoto Open
- Joel Tuckett
- John Bartley
- Simon Boyd
World Vets Challenge (over 40 – under 45 years)
- Rob Jones
- Jason Crump
- Ben Zacka
World Vets Challenge (over 50 years)
- Brok McAllister (USA)
- Ward Freeland
- Darren Saxon
Postie Bike Challenge
- Paul Caslick
- Brodie Thackeray
- Matthew Pickering
