RIDERS REV UP FOR HUGE TEST
Mountain Man title on the line
MOTOCROSS: Toowoomba’s Echo Valley is one Australia’s most physically demanding motocross tracks.
Its steep inclines, constant altitude changes and red clay base test even the most skilled riders.
This weekend Australia’s top riders will take on Echo Valley in a bid to claim the coveted Mountain Man title.
A task that will be harder than ever this year.
“Numbers are up right across the board for this weekend,” Toowoomba Motocross Club official John Armstrong said.
“As a result we will be running two qualifying heats for the Mountain Man category.
“The top 40 from those heats will then qualify for the three finals races.”
Armstrong expected the racing to be fast and furious this weekend and said fitness would be the key to winning.
“The better riders can do a lap of the track in a little over two minutes,” he said.
“I expect guys like Dean (current two-time Australian champion Dean Ferris) and Kirk (Gibbs) will probably be closer to 1-minute 45-seconds a lap.
“That adds up to a lot over the longer races.
Armstrong said the key to be winning was staying upright for as long as possible.
“That’s where someone like Dean has the edge,” he said.
“He is just so much fitter and stronger than a lot of rides.
“On a track like ours that ruts up a lot and with its constant altitude changes and steep hills – fitness is very important. “It’s an extremely demanding track.”
Racing will start at 10am tomorrow and Sunday.
The showpiece event, the Mountain Man races, is on Sunday.
GET TICKETS: Tickets are still available. To purchase tickets phone 0427 873 890. Adults are $10, children are free. A special VIP package is available for $165.