hyden07

Hyden Ironman was held this weekend August 18th & 19th, We had attended the first 2 Hyden Ironman events in 2001/02 but had missed the last 4 because of date clashes etc.
The kids were eager to go, Luke had turned 16 a week before and could race his Honda 450ER and Simone's Blaster class had been included, so it was all go for the whole family to race.

Prepared for the extreme cold temperatures we headed off to Hyden on Friday along with the Balshaws, Osbornes, Spencers, Mortimers and others to be met with some mild chilly weather and clear skies, it was great. We camped all together and the kids had the freedom to walk, talk socialise and ride til their hearts content.

The event started Friday night with scrutineering and a draw for positions. The seniors totalling 45 had their names drawn from a hat for positions. Each group of two were to start with 30 second intervals. The juniors were grouped together and started from the back of the field also in groups of two and 30 second intervals. There were 10 Juniors in total.
Saturday Morning, all the riders assembled for the Group photo before the recon Lap to show them where the 30km track was. Thats right 30km warm up lap!. After recon- everyone had about half an hour I guess to ready themselves for the start of racing.

Assembled in Drawn order, the riders were eager to be on their way. The seniors were off on the first 3 lap Moto {90km} and the Juniors 2 Laps (60km) with such a large field it wasnt going to be long after the Juniors took off, for the first of the Senior riders to head back through the start finish check point. Grant Gaisford who took off second on the grid, had Dale Harris the eventual winner hot on his tail, with the time difference on start meant he was leading the field again, and would be the man to beat for the third year running. Dale held the lead from start to finish and has stamped his name on the perpetual trophy more times than anyone else.
A continuous stream of riders would go through from then on to the end, I had all 3 riders out there pretty evenly spaced, I was always looking for someone to come through. You would think with the riders out doing these long races, you would have plenty of time to yourself in the pits, but it is full on from start to finish, watching the riders, the fueling for some between laps would rival the F1's.

Adam Davies had put a huge gap between himself and the other Blaster class Riders. He rode beautifully with skill speed and the tenacity to outdo his Dad's laps times, think there was a side bet between them that probably helped Craig Davies along to his overall 2nd place and Class win.

Adam Put in 7 solid lap times to take the win in the Blaster Class followed by Kyle Brenton 2nd and Brayden Spencer in 3rd, Nicholas Osborne came in 4th, Simone Gaisford 5th, Jordon Tyson in 6th. Jessica and Joel had a bit of a crash
in the first lap of the second moto and came in nursing their aches and pains, Jessica rode 2 laps Sunday but pulled in with Aleshia who had hurt her arm. Joel was unable to continue and put his bike on the trailer for next time. Lauren, a new comer, managed only 1 lap, but credit where credit is due, the laps are 30km long !
We are all pretty proud of all the kids, they did well, and for some it was their first ever Enduro type event. Winner Dale Harris mentioned the kids all did great, they held their lines and rode faster than he thought.

The Hyden Enduro Quad Event
is run over 300km which is 10 laps
2 x 3 lap motos on Saturday
with 1 x 4 lap moto on Sunday

The Juniors course
2 x 2 lap motos Saturday
1 x 3 Lap moto Sunday

Next year around the same date, if you want to experience something a little different from Motocross, keep an eye out for the entries to the Hyden Ironman 2008.

For Full results check back soon.