Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships – Remy Gardner Claims Another 2nd Place at National Title
Team Gardner
2009 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships – Friday 13 – Sunday 15 November
Lester Edminster Raceway, Fairbairn Park Sporting Complex, Canberra, ACT.
On a scorching hot weekend that might have been better spent at the beach, the ACT Motorcycle Club welcomed over 150 competitors to Fairbairn Park Dirt Track Stadium for the 2009 Australian Junior dirt track championships.
Impressive infrastructure and noise abatement works at the Canberra complex set the scene for an exciting weekend of racing, and a show of competitors from all over Australia combined to provide thrilling competition.
The incredible heat experienced over two days was a test of stamina and determination. As these dedicated kids donned layer after layer of protective gear in up to 38-degree heat, their love of the sport was clearly evident !
With weeks of preparation and some sleepless nights Team Gardner was well equipped for the final championship of this season.
The usual racing rollercoaster was experienced throughout the weekend, but on late Sunday afternoon Remy claimed his second national championship podium for the year, finishing 2nd overall in the 9-U11 age group, on his faithful Honda 150RB.
Luca made the decision mid Saturday afternoon to withdraw from racing after it was discovered the 65cc was suffering from a cracked crank cases and leaking gear box oil, and the extreme heat was taking it’s toll on the 9 year old. He didn’t feel he could sustain his strength to compete confidently at championship level in the high temperatures. The team supported his decision.
Remy Gardner- Aged 11
85CC 2- Stroke-150CC 4-Stroke /age 9-U12
Heat 1: 2nd
Heat 2: 2nd
Heat 3: 1st
FINALS
Final 1: 2nd
Final 2: 3rd
Final 3: 4th
OVERALL FINAL RESULT: 2nd 1st: Jack Dawes 2nd: Remy Gardner 3rd: Dakota Ballantyne
A focussed and determined Remy arrived at Fairbairn Park after weeks of nutritional refuelling and cardio training. His eye was on the prize and his fortitude apparent. Day one went exactly to plan with the heats being utilised to fine tune bike set up and survey the competition. At the end of Saturday Remy led the points, which meant he’d have first gate choice for the finals. He decided on lucky 7. Sunday morning started hotter than the previous day but Team Gardner was pumped and ready to race! The first final started well with Remy taking the hole shot and leading until lap 3 when he missed a gear and lost a place to finish in second. As the day grew hotter and time got away from the organisers, track watering was reduced creating a difficult scenario for Remy, who’s bike was set up for the more loamy track that had been experienced earlier in the day. As he came over the line third in the second final his extreme disappointment was evident. In the last final of the day Remy rode a smooth and steady race to finish in fourth. With the championship still only a dream Remy’s face said it all. A smile did however creep in after a reminder from Dad that in 2009 he had now achieved two seconds in two National Championships; second in the Victorian state titles; and a third in both the NSW and QLD state titles – consistently in the top three…not a bad achievement for his second year in the sport. “Congratulations to Jack Dawes, he is a talented and experienced rider and I just haven’t been able to catch him when it counts, “ said Remy. “I really really want to win a championship on my Honda and am going to be working just as hard next year. if it wasn’t for all Dad’s hard work he puts into the bikes and the support of my family and sponsors, I wouldn’t be able to compete as well, so thanks to everyone who has helped
Luca and me this year”, he added.
Remy Gardner- Aged 11 cont…
65CC 2-Stroke/age 9-U13
Heat 1: 5th
Heat 2: 6th
Heat 3: DNS
OVERALL FINAL RESULT: DNS 1st: Josh Pickering 2nd: Thomas Duggan 3rd: Zach Cook
Luckily the 65cc class wasn’t a priority for Remy this weekend. After a couple of average results in the first two heats on Saturday,
it was discovered that the machine had cracked crank cases and all agreed the KTM65 should be packed in the trailer for the rest of
the weekend. Huge congratulations however to the Honda/Team Gardner sponsored Josh Pickering who took the well fought
Championship title in this class.
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