Webmaster posted on March 09, 2010 00:26
Queensland Yamaha Junior Development Team racer, Joel Dinsdale, capped of a big weekend of racing in New Zealand taking second in the 12 to 16 years 85cc while representing Australia in the Oceania Challenge in Auckland.
Dinsdale, 13years old from Mackay, jetted out Thursday for a double header weekend that saw him compete in the Auckland Motocross Championships on Saturday, then at the same venue, represent his country in the Australia verse New Zealand motocross challenge on Sunday and score some outstanding results along the way.
Using a borrowed bike, Dinsdale used the Saturday event to get used to the bike and the conditions before upping the ante on Sunday. Saturday saw Joel finish fourth in the Auckland Championships, the first of the overseas riders on the back of his 7-4-5 results. But on Sunday the real Joel Dinsdale turned up and was ready to race.
Scoring the second fastest time in morning practice, Joel went on the finish the first of the two championship races in third place after over-coming a bad start. Moto two faired better, with Joel up with the front runners from the get go and he charged home in second place. His 3-2 moto scores earned him second overall in the 12 to 16 years 85cc division, sandwiched between New Zealand riders Micah Goldrick and Courtney Duncan.
“I'm pretty happy with the way things went over the weekend. It started off a little slowly and it took some time to get a feel for the bike and the track, but on Sunday, I felt much better and it shows in the results.”
“It would have been nice to win, but I was proud to present Australia and score a good result. This is the second time I have represented my country and I enjoy the experience of doing it in a team environment. A big thank you to everyone at Yamaha, Stewart McCullough for the use of the bike, Motorcycling Australia and our Team Manager, Mark Willingham, for making things happen so fast,” Dinsdale offers at days' end.
Australia won the Oceania Challenge by 18 points over the New Zealanders.
Joel will now return to Australia and pick up the Sunshine State Series at round four at Hervey Bay. He currently is leading that series in the 12 to 13 years 85cc and is fourth in the 13 to 14 years 125/ 250cc.
OCEANIA CHALLENGE- 12 to 16 years 85cc Results
Rider Manufacturer Moto Results Overall Points
1st Micah Goldrick - NZ KTM 1-1 50 points
2nd Joel Dinsdale - AU Yamaha 3-2 42 points
3rd Courtney Duncan NZ Yamaha 2-3 42 points