St George Motorcycle Club hosted the opening round of its Honda MCA Clubman Road Race Series at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this month.
It was tough conditions for riders with temperatures reaching 47 degrees – with a searing track temperature of 73 degrees.
Inflatable pools and hoses were scattered through pit lane for riders to try and stay cool as riders, officials and volunteers struggled through the heat.
The majority of competitors were from the St George club but riders came from as far away as Nelson Bay, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Taree.
Seven classes of bike were involved, with Lachlan Epis in the 600cc class setting a lap record on the Sunday morning with a 1:36.6090. The 17-year-old will compete in the World SuperSport Championship this year, with the first round at Phillip Island on March 25 and 26.
Lucas Vitale leads the unlimited class after round one, with Engadine’s Dominic De Leon running second with his fastest ever time at the track. Mitch Levy also set a lap record for the unlimited class with a 1:34.1710.
In the 600cc Clubsport for bikes made before 2007, Simon Rees set a lap record for the class with a 1:38.4720. In the unlimited Clubsport, David Burch also set a class lap record with a 1:38.2630.
In the mixed class, which includes 400cc, 700cc Twins, 125cc, 250cc and single cylinder, 300 Ninja’s and R3’s, Ryan Sellen set a lap record for the class with a 1:45.9550.
Oli Bayliss, the son of Australian motorsport legend Troy, competed in his first race meeting in the open class with the club.
There were also class lap records in the juniors (9 to 16-years-old) and BEARS (British European American Racing Series).
Travis Hall set lap records in consecutive races in the juniors, with his best a 1:54.7510.
Dean Hasler set a lap record in the BEARS with a 1:37.3620.
