KTM King of Nepean
— By Wacko-ocker
The KTM King of the Nepean Race was held at the Nepean Speedway, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, which is located south of Richmond NSW, off the Castlereagh Road, near Sydney. Excellent weather conditions over the weekend attracted large crowds of Dirt Track racing fans to an Australian top list of celebrity and champion Dirt Track riders.
The KTM King of the Nepean has become one of the most prestigious events on the Dirt Track calendar attracting some fierce competitiveness between some of the most famous, past and present, Dirt Track racers in Australia.
The program also included featured event classes – Jnr 65/110, Jnr 85/150, Pro250, Pro450, Pro Open, Prince of Nepean, Sidecars, Quad Bikes and this year Speedway Solos. Heats commenced with practice and heats on the Saturday morning, and were run over the two days with finals on Sunday afternoon.
This year the organisers ran the new “All Stars” event which included riders such as Garry McCoy (Grand Prix race winner), Luke Richards (current dirt track high flyer), Marty McNamara, Troy Bayliss (World Superbike Champion), Mark Willis (Ex 500 GP rider and King of the Mountain), Luke Gough, Paul Caslick (Speedway Legend), Stuart Bennett (Aus SX and Enduro Champ), Shawn Giles(Australian Superbike Champion), Jack Holder and Chris Vermeulen (Moto GP winner).
Racing over the weekend was fast and tight with few stoppages on Saturday, but as the final riders and points needed to make finals tighten more risks were taken.
The celebrity riders acquitted themselves well in heats and repechages, but the title of “KTM King of Nepean” Podium results were :
1st Luke Richards #24 who has now won back to back titles, 2nd Paul Caslick #3, and 3rd Ian Hamilton #718. Marty McNamara #7, who finished third in the race, was given a time penalty of 5 seconds, which relegated him off the podium, but unknown to other competitors and officials, he rode with a broken collar bone which he received in an accident in earlier heats.
The “All Stars” final lived up to its title with none of the competitors holding back and showing us why they’re of star quality.
Podium results : 1st Luke Richards #24, 2nd Paul Caslick #3, and 3rd Chris Vermeulen #4.
The Pro450 Final Podium results: 1st Ian Hamilton #718, 2nd Luke Richards # , 3rd Carew Dickinson #105.
The Prince of Nepean Podium results : 1st Thomas Duggan #6, who continued his great form after winning the Australian Junior Title at West Wyalong this year, 2nd Jarred Brook #21 and 3rd Mitchell James #551.
Sidecar Final Podium results : 1st Banks / Banks #31 who also kept form from winning the Australian Dirt Track Titles at Gunnedah this year, 2nd Afghan / Robertson #99, 3rd Banks / Hamilton #38, with Ian Hamilton #178 having a very busy Nepean swinging for Banks to pick up 3rd place.
The Speedway Solo Podium results : 1st Taylor Poole, 2nd Mason Campton and 3rd Kieren Sproule.
The Jnr 85/150 Podium results : 1st Mackenzie Childs #103, 2nd Caleb Porter #57, 3rd Tia Davis #10.
The Jnr65/110 Podium results : 1st Caleb Porter #57, 2nd Ryan Smith #29, 3rd Chevy Harper #311.
KTM King of the NepeanSide Cars Banks & Banks, followed by Afghan/ Roberts and Hamilton/Banks third Marty mcnamara got 5sec penalty in the race final for breaking the tape and finished up third in the race.
This year the organisers ran the new “All Stars” event which included riders such as Garry McCoy (Grand Prix race winner), Luke Richards, Marty McNamara, Troy Bayliss (World Superbike Champion), Mark Willis, Luke Gough, Paul Caslick, Stuart Bennett, Shawn Giles(Australian Superbike winner), Jack Holder and Chris Vermeulen (Moto GP).
For those who aren’t familiar with this track, it is a hard surface with loose dirt cover.
