THE recent NSW motocross championships held on the Hastings Valley Motorcycle Club’s Wauchope track were highly successful with three local riders enjoying podium finishes.

Young gun Lachlan Byron finished 2nd in the junior 50cc and 7/under 9 years; Jacqui Jones was placed 2nd in the highly competitive women’s section while Jesse Jenkins was 2nd in the Clubmen All Powers category.

Jenkins is competing in the first year in senior ranks and took out round 1 of the championships held at Clarence in June. Racing on his home track brought its own pressures coming into the recent round 2.

In the first race, the 17 year old didn’t have the best start and was mid field for the first corner when he was hit from behind while in the air on the first table top.

Faced with a slippery track, and pushed back to 10th, Jenkins showed his true class chasing down the leading pack. He finished with a highly creditable 3rd placing.

Racing 2 was held in terrible conditions with the track quickly becoming a real test for all riders. But Jenkins’ class showed up when he took the lead from the first race winner and cleared away for a comfortable win.

His times were comparable to the open class riders.

These results left Jenkins with 13 points and in first place leading into round 2 to be held at Cessnock on August 24.

Lachlan Byron’s grandfather Harry was a true champion of racing and under the guidance of his dad, David, the young 50cc KTM rider is just one point off the lead in his class.

Racing in knee deep mud and in one of the hardest classes to compete in, Byron’s throttle control in the mud and riding strength helped him to be one of the few riders that didn’t get a face plant in the treacherous muddy conditions.

Jacqui Jones won her first race by a comfortable margin but, with the conditions closing in and suffering three significant falls, race 2 saw her finish in 5th place.

These results placed Jones in third place overall with round 2 at Cessnock loom