After what can only be described as the worst round of the year for the Chas Hern/RC motorsport team, a major boost came at the awards dinner.
Chas had finished 2nd in the 2008 formula Xtreme Championship and collected his trophy, but to his surprise it wasn’t going to be his only trip to the stage. Chas suffered a damaged ankle in the 2nd race for the weekend but insisted on showing up to the dinner to thank sponsors and his team.
After the intermission, Chas’s name was called out to accept the
Kirk McCarthy award and he hopped his way down to the stage to gladly collect the trophy. “This means a lot to me. I had the privilege of racing against Kirk in dirt track. I have also had the honor of meeting his parents Margaret and Allan, as they live only 20 minutes from the Motorcycle/Lawn mower shop where I used to work. They used to come in and buy parts from me.” commented Chas proudly accepting the award. This is a major boost to the team as they will be stepping up to a premier class in 2009. Chas will again be riding Suzuki’s and details of the team will be revealed soon.
Big thanks to everyone behind the Kirk McCarthy fund and especially Allan and Margaret McCarthy for their ongoing support for up and coming Australian riders after the loss of Kirk, one of Australia’s greatest motorcycle personality’s and competitors.
Two weeks after the last round of the A.S.B.K in Queensland, The Chas Hern Racing/ Kirk McCarthy award team headed off for Sydney for the second round of the Australian Formula Xtreme Championships.
After the devastating 2nd round at Tasmania, the Chas Hern/Kirk McCarthy Award team were off to Queensland raceway in Ipswich for Round 3a and 3b of the ASBK. It is the furthest circuit of the season and the team decided it was to much of an expense to test at the circuit so they would have to work hard and fast in order to get the Suzuki GSXR 600 up to speed.
With limited free time between Tasmania and Queensland, Chas decided to take part in the 1st round of the Victorian Inter Club Championship at the Island. This was Gena's first race for the year as well so he had double duties with making sure her 400 was in good order.
After a very challenging first round at Phillip Island we were looking forward to a better result in Tasmania. As Symmonds Plains is one of Chas's favourite tracks for the series he was really looking forward to a stronger result. With limited track time on the new 600 before Phillip Island, we spent time at both Winton and Tasmania before the event and the testing proved successful as on the Wednesday test Chas lapped less then 1 second off the pole time of 2008.
Over 10 country towns have been devastated by fire around the surrounding areas of Whittlesea over the last weekend. Fire started at Kilmore East and ripped through Wandong and Upper Plenty, to Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Pheasant Creek, Kinglake Central, Strathewen and St Andrews