West’s best at BMX track

THE second meet of the new Best of the West Challenge will be hosted by Ballarat-Sebastopol Rush BMX Club this weekend.

Bringing together riders from all over Victoria, particularly the west side of the state, the new series has an aim to get people of all ages racing to help them warm up ahead of spring’s State Championships.

The challenge begins at Sunbury Stars BMX Club on Saturday 2 September, before heading to Ballarat on Sunday, 3 September, then to Bacchus Marsh BMX Club and Wyndham Warriors BMX on Saturday 9, and Sunday 10 September respectively.

Organiser Simon Antonello said there are 29 classes on the program for Sunday.

“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to enter,” he said. “Our plan is for this to become an annual event.

“There is a high calibre of athletes in the west, like Ballarat’s Josh Jolly, who is a drawcard as one of the top 10 racers in the world. The kids love him.

“At Ballarat, we have 150 entries so far, which is positive for the first event. If you enter the series, you get a jersey, and a 2023 plate.

“Inter-club rounds offer something different, other than the state rounds.”

Mr Antonello said western region clubs have been keen to create more racing opportunities before the long-time Track Attack series returns across Melbourne’s south-east in January of 2024.

“It will be good to bring another AusCycle event to Ballarat,” he said. “The weather’s going to be good as well, so that’s a bonus.

“Spectators are welcome, and as it will be Father’s Day, there’ll be a barbecue and raffle.”

Ballarat-Sebastopol Rush BMX Club is based at Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol.