A number of A Grade pro-class sidecar riders were part of the spectacular event, with other divisions including heritage and road class.

The spectacular was an exhibition rather than a competition, but favourable reviews of the Dooen track from pro-class riders greenlit the club to host the Australian sidecar championship later this year. 

Horsham Motorcycle Club president Kenny Watts said it was the first time in 12 years the championship would go ahead.

The first three place-getters at the Australian sidecar championship will qualify to race at the world sidecar championships in England.

The Australian sidecar championship will run in conjunction with the national quad bike titles, which the club will also host in October.

Mr Watts said it was another piece of good news after a successful weekend.

“The A Grade pro-class sidecar riders have given the track the tick of approval after racing on it and testing it for themselves,” he said.

“That means we’ll have a running of the Australian sidecar championships in conjunction with the quad bike titles in October, so that’s going to be a massive event for Horsham.

“People were saying the pros who were there were spectacular to watch, and now that we’re going to have a lot of them it’s going to be even more exciting.”

Pleased 

Mr Watts said the club was pleased with the number of spectators at the track during the weekend.

His two sons Aaron and Cory were also in action at the weekend in Wonthaggi.

Aaron earned a berth in the pro open division for stage three of the MX Nationals.

Mr Watts said racing against the best motocross riders in the country was a great learning experience for Aaron.

“We weren’t expecting him to break records, but he never finished last and was never in last position,” he said.

“He was rubbing shoulders with the big boys – he was basically chucked in a pool of crocodiles and he swam out the other side.”

Cory competed in the Honda CRF150 Cup, which gave him a chance to earn a wildcard entry to the world cup in England if he finished first.

He was second in his initial race, and was in contention to win the second race before a bad crash saw him taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Mr Watts said Cory only suffered bruising and had recovered well.