Loading ...Originally written by SIMON BAMPFIELD
HEYWOOD’S Brad Hutchins claimed second place in the 2008 Victorian ATV Quad Bike State Titles in Ararat on Sunday.
The event consisted of seven classes and Hutchins competed in clubman class against four other riders.“There wasn’t a great deal there, but the ones that did turn up were the state’s best,” Hutchins said.Tim Hutchins had entered the competition, but suffered a sore wrist from training in the lead up.The clubman class was the closest over the weekend and Brad Hutchins was right at the front.Leading up to the event Hutchins had great form, but went into it with a cautious approach.“To a certain extent I was (confident), but the first race was just see what happens.”Three races were held on Saturday and the Heywood rider started in a blaze of glory, finishing in second place in the first two.After the opening race the New South Wales champion pulled out of the event, leaving the four riders to compete for the title.The third and final race for Saturday was going to plan, but in this sport things can change for the good, or bad dramatically.“I was running second and I knocked my safety landing off and stalled it.”With each race running for just four laps, a quick recovery is essential to gaining a good place.“I went back 50-60 metres in last place, but I was lucky enough to get back past him for third place.”At the end of the day Hutchins was in second place, narrowly behind Colac’s Daryl Anderson.Despite a very successful day on the track the second placegetter was concerned how the two races on Sunday would go.“I was a bit worried I was going to pull up sore, I wasn’t sure how I was going to go the next day.”The track was rough, it was warm and because of the level four water restrictions the organisers couldn’t water the track.It meant there was a lot of dirt flying around in the air, making it difficult for all riders.
Hutchins pulled up surprisingly well for the final day of competition and was raring to go.After the first race the door swung wide open for Hutchins as points leader Anderson tried to whole shot and it didn’t come off, running into the tyres and jarring his wrist.Lilydale rider Justin Smith threw up the challenge to the other riders and finished first.In the final race Hutchins and Smith raced as close as you could on these machines for the entire four laps of the Ararat circuit.Smith would eventually cross the line first in front of Hutchins and Anderson did recover from his injury in time to finish the races.Anderson’s lead from the opening day of competition was just enough to hold off Hutchins for the state title.“You could have thrown a blanket over how close we were all finishing.”It was a great achievement to come in second place at the titles and was pleased with how the bike responded to the difficult track conditions.“We were pretty happy, but it would have been good to get first.“We were pretty happy with how the bikes went and I would like to thank the local businesses that supported me.”Hutchins might compete at a South Australian event later this month before travelling to Swan Hill for a competition early next month with wife Tania and possibly Tim as well.
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