Honda Sunshine State Series R2 – Day 1 Race Report

Published On: March 26th, 2024Categories: News

The highly anticipated Round 2 of the HONDA Sunshine State MX Series held at Gympie’s MX Farm saw huge entry numbers across both days of racing. For Saturday however, the major variable was the rain leading into the event.

After a delayed start, Saturday saw the junior classes, along with the Womens and Veterans, battle it out in the tough muddy conditions, testing their strength and endurance across a very challening race track. With an amended race schedule of only 2 Moto’s on the day to accommodate for track work and the muddy conditions, every gate drop was crucial for the overall standings.

Rhino Women’s

In the Rhino Womens Class, it was no surprise to see HRC’s Charli Cannon strong out of the gate. The QLD local managed to keep upright throughout the day, with the ever changing track conditions, to land on the top step of the podium, with Moto1 Motorcycles KTM rider Darci Whalley charging string in 2nd and Holly Van Der Boor coming home in 3rd overall.

1st- Charli Cannon
2nd- Darci Whalley
3rd- Holly Van Der Boor

Pirelli 2Stroke Junior Lites:

With a stacked class, it was Jackson Fuller who would reign at the top, setting the fastest qualifying time and starting out the front in Moto 1. As the conditions improved throughout the day both Lachlan Allen and Phoenix Blanchette made some small mistakes, but fought hard to land on the podium.

1st- Jackson Fuller
2nd- Lachlan Allen
3rd- Phoenix Blanchette

Motorex Mini Lites 9-U12:

It was a tough battle, but Sydney Stevenson fought hard to maintain the red plate and take the overall win while Jagger Townley would win the 2nd Moto after a fall in Moto 1.

1st- Sydney Stevenson
2nd- Jagger Townley
3rd- Chase Sherlock

Hyperlife co. Veteran Clubman:

Rawiri would reign with topping the qualifying timing and taking home the overall for the Veteran Clubmans class, while Brandon Gruening and Jacob Reeves would fight for the remaining podium places.

1st-Rawiri Mahuika
2nd- Brandon Gruening
3rd- Jacob Reeves

Forth 50cc Auto 7-U9

Tough conditions for the little shredders, but they managed to handle the ever changing track conditions well with Nate Forward taking home the Red Plate and Overall win.

1st- Nate Forwood
2nd- Joe Thurlby
3rd- Jake Knighton

Shot Racewear 85cc 12-U16

As the track began to form up well, we had a first time podium for up-and-comer Tyler Sacchi which saw him in 3rd place, while Kyle Harvey took the Red Plate for the weekend and Nixon Darragh fought hard for the weekend overall.

1st- Nixon Darragh
2nd- Kyle Harvey
3rd- Tyler Sacchi

Maxxis 65cc 10-U12

Big weekend for Nico Verhoeven, who competed across 2 classes, managed to take the Red Plate & Overall win. Despite the tricky conditions, it was a strong finish to the day for Jack Holliday and Chase Worthington who both placed on the podium.

1st- Nico Verhoeven
2nd- Jack Holliday
3rd- Chase Worthington

Lucas Civil 65cc 7-U10

After a tough start to the day and some small mistakes made, Nate Lee takes home the Red Plate with a 1 point lead.

1st- Hudson Francis
2nd- Nate Lee
3rd- Lucas Nelson

Fist Handwear Veteran Pro:

Steve Groves topped the timing sheet to qualify in 1st, and as the track conditions because more technical, Steven would come out on top with the overall win while 2nd place finisher Dave Mellish would take home the Red Plate.

1st- Steven Groves
2nd- Dave Mellish
3rd- Travis Regeling

DriTimes Veteran Expert:

Challenging day for our vets but Dale Schmitke took the Overall and the Red Plate. Ty Gilcrest was off to a great start, however a small crash would leave him dead-last and fighting to regain second overall, with Nathan Bernard rounding out the podium.

1st- Dale Schmitke
2nd- Ty Gilcrest
3rd- Nathan Bernard