Previously the Tamworth Motorcycle Club has run long track events at the Tamworth Showground where the track is longer. 

But this year that wasn’t workable so the TMC took the titles out to Oakburn.

The track just makes the specifications for a long track and got the “thumbs up” from riders, TMC’s Paul Slade said.

“It was actually better racing at Oakburn. Because it’s smaller it kept everyone together,” he said.

There was everything from solos, sidecars and quads and, after the success of the event, the club is applying to host the Australian junior long track championships.

“They’re normally a two or three-day event,” Slade said.

The seniors were just a day.

They had all extremes of weather, Slade said – from sun to wind, but fortunately not rain, although it did look at times like it was going to.

“It was a good day.

“There was some really fast racing,” Slade said.

Cessnock’s Kozza Smith won the the long track solo title, James Hinton the long track sidecar, Briony Hendrikson the ladies, Joey Ringwood the prop open and pro lites, Jace Castles the mx open, Toby Hyde the 450cc and open unlimited quads, Adam and Graham Liebke the dirt track sidecars and Ryan Douglas the U19s.

The TMC claims Douglas, even though he comes from Brisbane.

“He’s a regular competitor and Tamworth club member,” Slade said.

“Every meet he’s here.”

He was one of a couple of the host club’s riders to figure in the placings, with Alex Giffin finishing third in the mx open.

It’s his first time placed in a national titles.

Most of the local competitors made the finals of their classes.

Next up is the Harry Pyne Champions of Champions, which will be the club’s last meeting of the year.