On Saturday the 14th of January, over 400 riders from all across Australia made their way to Coffs Harbour on the North Coast of NSW for the 7th annual Hoey Moey Coffs Harbour Stadium MX event. Including big names such as Dean Ferris, Kade Mosig, Kyle Webster and Aaron Tanti, the 12 hours of action attracted 1000’s of spectators.
Images – Smoking Wheels Photography
Words – McLeod Media
Whilst temperatures of almost 40 degrees celsius challenged the days junior racing, the heavens opened as the gates dropped for the first senior race of the evening. The constant heavy rain added an extra challenge, increasing the difficulty of the already challenging circuit. As puddles formed on the race track, it didn’t stop the eager senior riders from attacking the rutted, and muddy track. The split conditions throughout the event added for extra excitement for the spectators.
Some standout juniors included Hixson McInnes (1,2,1 – 65cc 7-9y), Nate Thompson (4,1,2 – 65cc 7-9y), Yamaha Junior Development team rider Ryder Kingsford (1,1,1 – 85cc 9-11y), Husqvarna Junior team rider Reid Taylor (1,1,1 – 85cc 12-13y), Tyler Darby (3,1,1 – 85cc 14-15y), Hayden Matterson (2,1,1 – 125cc 14-15y) and newly recruited Honda BCP Pro Circuit rider Rhys Budd (1,1,1 – 250cc 14-15y).
Budd, on his first outing on his new Honda BCP Pro Circuit 250cc said he loved the event, stating that “the track was really fun to ride, it had a couple of technical sections that made it interesting.” Contrary to the rain throughout the senior racing, Budd said the only downfall of the event was the heat of approximately 40 degrees Celsius, “but other than that, the event and track were both awesome, and I’ll hopefully be back next year!”
The Pro Lites produced great racing, with mixed podium placings in each round. CRF Honda Australia Racing’s Kyle Webster took the Overall (3,1,3), followed by BBR Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti (1,2,6), and Yamaha Yamalube Racing’s Cooper Pozniak (4,3,4).
Honda CRF Racing rider, Kyle Webster said that the Coffs Harbour Stadium MX was an awesome and well ran event. “The track was built so well, and would have made for some great racing if it wasn’t for the weather. But even with the weather, Coffs Harbour Motorcycle club made it a great and exciting event. I loved it!”
The rain continued to fall throughout the evening, but it didn’t stop the Pro Open riders from putting on some great racing for the spectators. Reginning MX Nationals champion and CDR Factory Yamaha rider, Dean Ferris (2,1,1) took the overall in the Pro Open Class. Ferris was closely followed by DPH Yamaha’s Kade Mosig (3,2,2) and BBR Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti (1,5,3) all aboard a YZ450f.
Ferris, who is a regular competitor at the yearly event said that “tt was shaping up to be a good day, but the weather came in and made the conditions tough – again I enjoyed myself at the Coffs Harbour Stadium Cross, and I look forward to doing this event another time.”
The most anticipated race throughout the night was the Pro Shootout. Consisting of a one lap dash, 1v1 of the twelve quickest senior riders throughout the night. The shootout made for the most exciting racing of the evening, on a very deteriorated and muddy track. Coming down to a final lap between DPH Yamaha rider Kade Mosig, and CDR Yamaha rider Dean Ferris, Ferris would take the overall, and the $1500 prize money.
As one of the openers to the 2017 Motocross/Supercross season, the Hoey Moey Coffs Harbour Stadium MX always puts on a great show for both riders and spectators. The success of the event was largely attributed to the work of Donna Craig and the entire team from the Coffs Harbour Motorcycle club.
