AUSTRALIA: Highly successful opening to the 2023 season at Findon.

Words by Pete Barnes

After the welcome summer holiday break over 50 competitors nominated for the long awaited opening meeting on Sunday and as expected it was Australian International Shane Bentley who captured the Senior Open event from Matt Gentle and fellow International Bobby McMillian.

Although still in their teenage years both Ryan Knights and Blake Frencken indicated their undoubted ability at this level which in turn could see them in contention for was the major awards during the Ade Gale Junior Laurels event at Poole later this year.

In the Women’s grade Hannah Williams completed five unbeaten rides with Kayleigh Clarke and Harleigh Rochester both well on the pace. Australian Women’s Team manager Tammy Clarke would have been pleased with the outcome as she plans the training schedule leading up to 2023 World Championships.

However the main topic on the day was the total upgrade of the Clubroom improvements driven by Steve Clarke plus a newly relaid track surface by long time member Allan Staunton who at 88 years young still manages to deal with on a day by day basis.