THE Portland Motocross Club hosted the first round of the Junior State Titles at Heywood Sports Park over the weekend, with event organisers describing it as the biggest event the club has ever held.

More than 350 entrants travelling from across Victoria, along with South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, hit the dirt across two days of racing, with club president Leigh Watt saying the event went as well as could be hoped.

“We got a really good turn-out, probably over 1000 people between contestants and spectators came down to the track over the weekend, it went really well,” he said.

Portland had four entrants across the events, with a handful of strong placings.

“Ryder Trickey came in third in his 65cc A grade event, and Banjo Watt came fourth in the 65cc B grade, a really great effort from both of those boys,” Watt said.

“River Hollis and Jet Bennett also did very well, unfortunately Jet ended up breaking his wrist during the event which was very disappointing for him.”

Bennett still performed well before his injury, finishing in eighth overall in the 125cc B grade event.

The club is building momentum coming into a busy period, with Watt saying the track will be available on Thursdays for anyone who wants to have a go or get some practice in.

“It’s a no-pressure environment where riders who are just new to it or looking to get some extra training in can have a crack,” he said.

“We’ve also got the first round of the Western Region series just around the corner, plus a few other events on the horizon… really we’re just trying to use the track as much as possible while it’s daylight savings and we can get the most out of it.”