Townsville 21 year old Kayden Downing announced himself on the dirt track scene when he took out the Casey Stoner Cup at today’s meeting held in honour of Australia’s dual Moto GP world champion.
Stoner spent almost a decade as a member of the Kurri Kurri Junior Motorcycle Club and another talented young rider added his name to the honour roll of winners of this annual event staged at the Loxford Park track.
Even with defending cup winner Jarred Brook a late withdrawal the meeting produced another winner from north of the border.
Downing made a big impression at the Trackmasters meeting a fortnight earlier, but went home without any hardware from that meeting.
With little between as many as five riders for much of the day Downing ultimately stood tall to win the two classes he contested at the Kurri Kurri meeting.
A three-way tie was resolved on the results of the last round in the Pro 450 class with Downing edging out 16 year old Mackenzie Childs and 18 year old Boyd Hollis.
In the 8-lap Casey Stoner Cup final Downing got to the lead early on with Childs unable to bridge the gap while Sean McLellan won a close battle to beat off Hollis and Damien Koppe for third.
Hollis earlier outpointed Childs and Connor Ryan in the Pro 250class.
The junior racing was a shakedown run for the New South Wales Junior Track Championships to be staged at the same venue on the Queens Birthday weekend in June.
The chance to race at the Loxford Park track before that title showdown attracted riders from Queensland and Victoria and everything points to an exciting title meeting in June.
Four junior riders were winners of two classes as the action from the youngsters matched that turned on by the seniors.
Local Billy Van Eerde dominated the 13 to Under 16s, with Kempsey rider Jayden Holder, Central Coast rider Senna Agius and Tom Drane from Forbes also taking out two classes.
By Peter Baker On behalf of Kurri Kurri Junior Motor Cycle Club
