Josh Mckay wins Hyden Ironman 2011
Hyden Ironman 300
Western Australia
August 20 & 21st 2011
Bethwyn Gaisford
Australia’s largest Quad Enduro “The Hyden Ironman 300” lived up to all expectations, with a massive 107 quads entered across 8 classes, held last weekend on August 20 & 21st, by The Wagin Motorcycle Club. Perfect weather greeted the masses of people who would make “Smithy’s Place” home for the weekend. The facility has hosted a national round of the Australian Off Road Vehicle Championships and is set up to give all the riders and crew a few home luxuries. Hyden is famous for “Wave Rock” but more travellers noticed the 22km’s to Smithy’s place sign, than to stop and see the infamous WA landmark.
The Hot Favourites for the outright winner were the defending champ Kirk Williams, and last years runner up Matt McKay. Williams an enduro specialist with “Gas Dash” and “Finke Dessert Race” to his calendar, while Dale Harris a multi time winner was also on the hunt. Chris Howard had raced many times, along with Criag Davies and would be looking for the win.
The event caters for eight classes distinguished by engine capacity and modifications,
along with Females, Vets and Junior Lites.
Day 1 was split into two moto’s each of 3 x 35km loops, some would need a fuel stop, while the hardened Enduro specialists set up for the long trips, would do the 105km without a stop. The refuelling area, marked out like an F1 pits, with safety rules in play, and high tech and efficient teams to get the fastest riders in and out in mere seconds, was the focal point for the spectators, who had to ponder who was in front, by calculations and Iphone apps until the official times were released at the end of each section.
After Moto 1 youngster and Current Australian Junior Quad Motocross Champion Josh McKay held the top spot with Kirk Williams in second. From this point, with one rider having fuel stops and the other not, it was a game of cat and mouse til the end of the race. After Moto 2 McKay and Williams were separated by a mere second leaving the final 3 laps to form the decider.
Sunday Morning was clear and crisp with a slight breeze, but the start to a beautiful winters 25 degree day. Josh Mckay and Kirk Williams front row off the start, and heading out for their final 3 laps. Mckay knew he had to put in a huge first lap to allow time to refuel without losing the lead. He put in the fastest lap of the Ironman approx 28 seconds faster than anyone else had, giving him the break he needed. After 2 laps and on his fuel stop ready to go out for one last lap, Josh looked back for the first time, to see Williams in the distance coming down the fenceline, he exhaled and took off to finish the race, and secure the Hyden Ironman 300 for 2011. The youngest ever winner to the event, was met with applause from all at the chequers, and hugs from his family and friends. Kirk Williams came across the line 23 seconds behind, while Chris Howard took 3rd and Chris Brown in 4th.
The Veterans and Women’s classes were a shortened distance of 3 x 2 lap moto’s totalling 210km’s . The Davies Father and Daughter Duo of Craig and Melissa took 1st place in each of their classes, starting the race as they did the finish, across the chequers almost together to a Hi5. Derek MacDougall secured second and Roy Grist third in Vets. Simone Gaisford and Amy Schleuter took 2nd and 3rd just under 3minutes apart, all women under the 4 hour mark.
500cc Modified
1st Steve Versteegan
2nd Shaun Ragno
3rd John Iuliano
500cc Standard
1st Rhys Brown
2nd George Beever
450cc Modified
1st Josh McKay
2nd Kirk Williams
3rd Chris Howard
450cc Standard
1st Jay Ward
2nd Graham Cockman
3rd Bradley Bunter
350cc/ 400cc
1st Zackary Croonan
2nd Matthew McIntyre
3rd Steve Brewer
Juniors
1st Chad McKay
2nd Jett Cockman
3rd Colt Cockman
FULL RESULTS HERE
Pics here
Western Australia
August 20 & 21st 2011
Bethwyn Gaisford
Australia’s largest Quad Enduro “The Hyden Ironman 300” lived up to all expectations, with a massive 107 quads entered across 8 classes, held last weekend on August 20 & 21st, by The Wagin Motorcycle Club. Perfect weather greeted the masses of people who would make “Smithy’s Place” home for the weekend. The facility has hosted a national round of the Australian Off Road Vehicle Championships and is set up to give all the riders and crew a few home luxuries. Hyden is famous for “Wave Rock” but more travellers noticed the 22km’s to Smithy’s place sign, than to stop and see the infamous WA landmark.
The Hot Favourites for the outright winner were the defending champ Kirk Williams, and last years runner up Matt McKay. Williams an enduro specialist with “Gas Dash” and “Finke Dessert Race” to his calendar, while Dale Harris a multi time winner was also on the hunt. Chris Howard had raced many times, along with Criag Davies and would be looking for the win.
The event caters for eight classes distinguished by engine capacity and modifications,
along with Females, Vets and Junior Lites.
Day 1 was split into two moto’s each of 3 x 35km loops, some would need a fuel stop, while the hardened Enduro specialists set up for the long trips, would do the 105km without a stop. The refuelling area, marked out like an F1 pits, with safety rules in play, and high tech and efficient teams to get the fastest riders in and out in mere seconds, was the focal point for the spectators, who had to ponder who was in front, by calculations and Iphone apps until the official times were released at the end of each section.
After Moto 1 youngster and Current Australian Junior Quad Motocross Champion Josh McKay held the top spot with Kirk Williams in second. From this point, with one rider having fuel stops and the other not, it was a game of cat and mouse til the end of the race. After Moto 2 McKay and Williams were separated by a mere second leaving the final 3 laps to form the decider.
Sunday Morning was clear and crisp with a slight breeze, but the start to a beautiful winters 25 degree day. Josh Mckay and Kirk Williams front row off the start, and heading out for their final 3 laps. Mckay knew he had to put in a huge first lap to allow time to refuel without losing the lead. He put in the fastest lap of the Ironman approx 28 seconds faster than anyone else had, giving him the break he needed. After 2 laps and on his fuel stop ready to go out for one last lap, Josh looked back for the first time, to see Williams in the distance coming down the fenceline, he exhaled and took off to finish the race, and secure the Hyden Ironman 300 for 2011. The youngest ever winner to the event, was met with applause from all at the chequers, and hugs from his family and friends. Kirk Williams came across the line 23 seconds behind, while Chris Howard took 3rd and Chris Brown in 4th.
The Veterans and Women’s classes were a shortened distance of 3 x 2 lap moto’s totalling 210km’s . The Davies Father and Daughter Duo of Craig and Melissa took 1st place in each of their classes, starting the race as they did the finish, across the chequers almost together to a Hi5. Derek MacDougall secured second and Roy Grist third in Vets. Simone Gaisford and Amy Schleuter took 2nd and 3rd just under 3minutes apart, all women under the 4 hour mark.
500cc Modified
1st Steve Versteegan
2nd Shaun Ragno
3rd John Iuliano
500cc Standard
1st Rhys Brown
2nd George Beever
450cc Modified
1st Josh McKay
2nd Kirk Williams
3rd Chris Howard
450cc Standard
1st Jay Ward
2nd Graham Cockman
3rd Bradley Bunter
350cc/ 400cc
1st Zackary Croonan
2nd Matthew McIntyre
3rd Steve Brewer
Juniors
1st Chad McKay
2nd Jett Cockman
3rd Colt Cockman
FULL RESULTS HERE
Pics here