KTM King of Nepean 2013
Nepean Raceway – Castlereagh NSW 2749
24th & 25th August 2013
The KTM King of Nepean finally delivered an event that will be talked of for some time and may have given Dirt Track the opportunity the discipline has needed since the Troy Bayliss Classic back in January.
Vincent Tesoriero was the mastermind behind the successful promotion that gathered former superstars for this annual title that has now become a must enter on the Australian Dirt Track calendar. 3 x World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss, Former World Super sport champion and moto GP winner Chris Vermeulen, 500GP winner Garry McCoy, Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles, AMA Flat track star Luke Gough, Australian Superbike and Supermoto Legend Mark Willis, Australia’s best off road exponent and Australian MX, Dirt Track, Supermoto, Enduro and Off road champion Stuart Bennett. Throw in the last three winners with Luke Richards 2012, Marty McNamara 2011 and Paul Caslick 2010 and don’t overlook 2012 Premier League Speedway Champion Sam Masters, Last year’s Prince of Nepean winner Jack Holder and we have one cracker program.
Upon arrival at the complex on Saturday morning, you could sense the excitement in the air and the friendly nature of all the officials, competitors and teams added another dimension to a dirt track race meeting. With flags flying and lots of signage surrounding the circuit, this event has certainly stepped up in the last few years. Riders shook hands and conversations and laughter filled the pit area as we prepared for two days of intense on track action and the racing delivered some fine action throughout day 1 with the top riders all within 1 second of each other.
The riders were looked after so well be the organising committee and most stayed at the Colonial Best Western Motel at Richmond, the hospitality shown by the management staff cannot be overlooked and a huge thank you to the organising committee. Saturday evening was an organised meet and greet at the Motel where a stream of kids and families had autographed posters and photographs taken for well over 2 hours.
With Saturday and practice done, Sunday was race day and another perfect morning greeted competitors. With only one round to complete, repechage and finals, the massive crowd that surrounded the circuit were entertained with some fine close racing to close out the program.
If the support finals were any indication, The King of Nepean was set to be a cracker final over 8 laps with a different winner in each final. With track conditions not ideal and forming a black slick line that made staying on the bike more of a challenge than racing itself, making a good clean start would prove vital.
Paul Caslick gated strongly as did Marty McNamara and Luke Richards with Caslick holding out the lead throughout lap 1. It would only be a matter of time before the big horsepower machine of Luke Richards would reel in Caslick’s machine and move into the lead and from here take out back to back King of Nepean Titles. McNamara moved under Caslick entering pit turn and crossed the line in second but a jump start 5 second penalty would see him relegated from the podium, moving Canberra’s Ian Hamilton into 3rd position.
After the event Paul Caslick said, “What an awesome weekend of close, respectful, and fantastic racing. Although track conditions before the final were not ideal, it was the same for everyone and my Chris Watson Motorcycles, Carlisle Tyres Australia, Cassons, Power Plus Fuels Honda never let me down the entire weekend. We were down on horsepower but I was able to focus on what needed to be done and over the entire program was only beaten to the first corner once out of 12 races. Congratulations to the Nepean Motor sports club, all the winners and also to my team for without their support and assistance, this result could not have been possible. Time to focus on the next few weeks now which will see Caslick Clinics travel throughout Queensland and then onto Broadford Victoria for advanced rider coaching. Thank you once again to Chris Watson Motorcycles, Honda MPE, Steve Dooley at Carlisle Tyres Australia (Lucas Motor Oils, Kenda tyres, EK Chains, K&N air filters), Daniel Timbs at Cassons (O’Neal, Smith Optics, Arai Helmets) Martin at Power Plus fuels and Stephen Gall for keeping my knees together with the wonderful Matrix knee braces. Also thank you to Mick and Alecia Walters at Lake Macquarie Welding Services and to Ben and Melissa Davis at Ben Davis Excavations, your help and assistance is priceless, as is your friendship.
