Last weekend, the Port Pirie Motorcycle Club (MCC) illuminated their birthday candles in grand style, commemorating a century of motocross legacy with an unforgettable series of events. Amidst the classic Easter festivities, the 2024 Boats and Bikes King of the Gulf, 2024 AB Chem South Australian Women’s Cup, and the 2024 Smart Refrigeration Classic King of the Gulf kicked off, heralding a monumental weekend filled with breathtaking motocross action and remarkable storybook endings.
In a remarkable nod to the club’s centenary, record-breaking entries flooded in, painting the event with unparalleled excitement. A staggering convoy of 300 bikes revved up to conquer the tracks, while over 200 riders embarked on a journey to partake in what was aptly dubbed a once-in-a-lifetime centennial celebration.
Tensions reached a fever pitch as 22 fiercely competitive riders descended upon the track for the highly anticipated 2024 Boats N Bikes King of The Gulf event. With a lucrative $3,000 prize awaiting the ultimate victor and the tantalizing possibility of an additional $1,000 bonus for conquering all four legs, the stage was set for a memorable showdown. Reigning champion Siegah Ward wasted no time asserting his dominance, clinching a commanding victory in the first race and setting his sights on the coveted bonus. However, challengers Mitch Norris and Levi McManus were determined to make their mark, showcasing their formidable skills and determination. Norris, in particular, proved to be a formidable adversary, claiming victories in races 2 and 3. Yet, Ward had the final say, triumphing in a thrilling finale and clinching the coveted 2024 Boats N Bikes King of The Gulf title along with the accompanying prize money. Norris and McManus secured their places on the podium, claiming second and third positions, respectively, in a display of remarkable sportsmanship and talent.
Returning as the 2023 SA Women’s Cup victor, Amy Bartsh entered the weekend with a fierce determination to uphold her title in 2024. Right from the start, she dominated the preview races, setting an unparalleled standard and securing a clean sweep of victories, putting her in a great position to then continue the momentum and take the feature race. This achievement solidified her position as the reigning AB Chem SA Women’s Cup Winner for 2024, surpassing the competition thrown her way from a stacked field of SA’s fastest women. Emma Haylock claimed second place, while Steph Cutler and Jessica Bennett battled for third. With plenty of position jousting, Steph found the upper hand to take that final podium step by 4 points and a final race gap of under 2 seconds.
Entering the weekend, a formidable lineup of contenders gathered for the highly anticipated 2024 NYRSTAR Prince of the Gulf event, headlined by Pro MX 3 competitors Kye Little and Jayke Hansen. Demonstrating his dominance from the outset, Jayke swiftly asserted himself in each race, skillfully maintaining his lead despite relentless challenges from the lead pack. With a flawless performance, Jayke secured a clean sweep of first-place finishes, clinching the coveted title of the 2024 Prince of the Gulf for the first time.
The battle for the remaining podium positions intensified, as Noah Rochow narrowly edged out Ashton Hansen and fellow Pro MX 3 contender Kye Little to claim second place by a mere 2 points, while Ashton secured a third-place finish just 4 points behind.
Transporting spectators back to the essence of Motocross and underscoring the enduring allure of older-generation technology, the Smart Refrigeration Classic King of the Gulf provided a nostalgic journey into the sport’s evolution. With anticipation running high, fans eagerly awaited to see who would claim the Classic crown and the prize money for 2024. In the end, it was the remarkable skill and prowess of NT’s Tom Whillas that truly captured the spotlight, as he surged ahead with a commanding lead of over 33 seconds, leaving competitors Kieren Belmarie and Darren Averay trailing behind.
Amidst a weekend filled with premieres, the much-anticipated debut of the Junior 125/250cc Development Cup in 2024 took centre stage on Sunday, providing budding young riders with an opportunity to test their skills on the challenging senior track. As expected, this addition proved immensely popular, drawing a multitude of enthusiastic junior racers eager to shine on the grand stage. Throughout three preliminary races preceding the main event, competitors warmed up, with frontrunners gradually emerging, intensifying anticipation among spectators. Initially, Harry McDonald showed strong promise and seemed poised for victory until Kye Little seized an opportunity on the third lap, surging into the lead and ultimately clinching the win ahead of Noah Rochow and Joshua Whitehorn, who staged an impressive charge from the mid-pack to contend for the top spot.
As the dust settles and Port Pirie prepares for its upcoming club rounds, Motocross in SA is already in full swing, with the imminent State Championship Round 1 at MRA. For those who missed out on making the trip down for Easter, mark your calendars for next year, because if 2024 was any indication, the 2025 Easter King of the Gulf is a must-attend event for Motocross enthusiasts of all ages.
If you’re excited to check out all the action of the weekend, Sab Flutur of “Shine Bright Photography” is consistently uploading photos to the Port Pirie Motorcycle Club Facebook page. Be sure to reach out to Sab if you’re interested in purchasing any of these fantastic shots. Additionally, for a comprehensive breakdown of all the weekend racing classes, check out Saturday – HERE and Sunday – HERE.