King Koppe reigns as crowds flock to Grasstree
TOWNSVILLE’S Damien Koppe has snagged a hat- trick, taking out the title of King of the Beach for the third year running at the Grasstree Beach Motorbike Races at the weekend.
More than 5000 spectators turned out at the tiny community of Grasstree Beach south of Mackay for one of the most anticipated dirt bike events of the year at the only legal beach motorbike race in Australia.
The races, which have run since 1926, starting off with two barrels and a group of mates on the beach, has now evolved into a massive tourist event.
King of the Beach, 30- year- old Koppe, has been riding for 25 years and said the competition was getting tougher.
“It was insane on the bike keeping it together, and three in a row, I’m pretty chuffed about that,” he said.
“They’re all slowly catching us. I think we need to work on something else ( bike- wise) pretty soon.”
Fresh off the back of his win at the Burt Munro Challenge Beach Races in Invercargill, New Zealand where he was the first Australian to win the coveted event, Koppe had good practice for the Grasstree Beach races.
“There were a lot of road events over there, and their feature one was a similar size race, similar size, 50 laps, which took around 45 minutes to finish it, so it was long- range fuel tanks involved and stuff in that. I got the win in that,” Koppe said.
“I get around and still do some dirt track meets.
“Aussie flat track titles in Bali Ranch in Newcastle – that’s in three weeks’ time and I’ve got that one coming up – and I’ll be aiming for New Zealand again.”
Koppe has also raced professionally in speedway for Sheffield Tigers in England, and comes from solid speedway stock being the son of Aussie and UK rider Steve Koppe, who now runs Future Sport Motorcycles in Townsville.
Event organiser Ann Hand said the King of the Beach event was a major success.
“With many spectators and competitors staying the weekend, the financial benefit to the area is enormous,” Hand said.
“Many local community groups help Gum Valley run a fabulous family day, including local Lions, Sarina Junior Rugby League, Sarina Men’s Shed and Sarina SES.”