Marty McNamara couldn’t have timed his maiden Australian title win any better.
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On his home Gunnedah track, in front of local fans, racing wheel-to-wheel with “one of the hardest riders to pass in Australia” – McNamara was in his element.
“It was pretty special,” the former Gunnedah junior said on being crowned the new Australian Pro 450 champ.
He was one of 148 riders who geared up at Gunnedah’s Balcary Park last weekend for the 2015 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships.
After years of running second to good mate and fierce rival, Luke Richards, who is also his training partner, McNamara finally took out the division’s number title.
“It’s tough competition, you’re up against the best of the best out there,” he said.
“Especially him [Richards], he’s one of the hardest riders to pass in Australia.”
“I’m Gunnedah born and bred... it’s my home club, it’s where I had my first race."
- Marty McNamara
McNamara however took it in his stride and led through the preliminary rounds before snatching the points in the decider as well.
Emotions weren’t quite at a tear but they were close to it as he climbed the podium to collect his trophy at the post-race presentation.
“I’m Gunnedah born and bred,” he said.
“It’s my home club, it’s where I had my first race.
“To win [an Australian title] there... it feels pretty good.”
Gunnedah rider Jordan Dall was also a finalist in the 450 division, alongside clubmate Troy Whittaker.
Benny Hammond, also from Gunnedah, was two points shy of finals contention after a strong run in the repechage – a second chance draw where the top two riders from the last round also earn a finals berth.
McNamara chased hard in the Pro Open and MX Open divisions to finish second behind, you guessed it, Richards, who also won the Pro 250 class.
Gunnedah Motorcycle Club president Anthony Dall said Marty’s win was a great boost for the club and the next generation of riders looking to further their racing careers.
He commended all local club riders, a few who made finals in their divisions but through “bad gates” at the start line and rotten luck in general, were unable to secure a podium place.
Just getting to the first corner unscathed was a task in itself.
“It’s pretty cut-throat stuff,” Dall said of high-tempo Australian championship racing.
The local veteran placed fourth in the Over-35 division behind Whittaker in second.
In the junior support classes, Gunnedah’s Thomas Donnelly placed second in the 12-to-under 16 years 85/150cc 4 stroke.
Shay Barr and Brock Casey also placed in the 250 class.
Former Superbike world champ, Troy Bayliss, a regular visitor and competitor to regional race tracks around the state including Gunnedah, was unable to attend.
Dall said the motorsport legend did plan to compete but had to withdraw late due to an infection flare up in his leg.
Bayliss was injured in May during a AMA Pro Flat Track event at the Sacramento Mile in America.
Next up for local riders is another championship event at Taree in August, before a round of the Taree, Kempsey, Gunnedah Inter-club meet gets underway around September.