Championships put Ipswich on the map
IPSWICH BMX Club has its sights on hosting the state championships in 2019 after a stellar weekend of racing in the South Queensland Zone Championships.
The Willey Park track was at its best as the Ipswich club hosted a highly successful event.
"In total we had 776 riders so it was a massive weekend over two full days of racing," club president Lee Smith said.
"This has highlighted Ipswich's track as being a lot higher standard than any other track in south Queensland now.
"We had nothing but good comments about how great the facility now is.
"Normally you have these events and you get these keyboard warriors on Facebook with something to complain about but we had nothing bad said. Everything was positive.
"I spent the weekend talking to BMX Queensland about the potential for us holding the 2019 state titles.
"They said that if we put our hat in the ring we are going to be very hard to beat."
A jointly funded refurbishment of the track by Ipswich City Council and the club has proven to be a huge winner.
A poly aggregate coating laid by Sic Surface has been well received.
"It is like a polymer glue and sand coating . . . and it is waterproof," Smith said.
"It is a brilliant product and keeps the track perfect."
The track has been built to suit riders with the shape and size of the jumps designed for all.
"It is not just the pros saying they love the track. It is the older guys and the younger kids," Smith said.
"It is safe to ride but also fun for the guys who like to go a bit crazy."
Smith said three Ipswich riders won South Queensland titles in their ages groups - David Jackson, Chloe Jackson and Sophia Preston.
"David won the 30-34 men and Sophia, who won the Australian titles, won her eight year girls class as well," he said.
"Chloe Jackson, David's daughter won the 14 years girls.
"I have raced against David and he has always been quite fast. He's been involved in the sport for a long time.
"He is going over to America to race in the worlds this year for the first time, along with his youngest daughter Holyee-Ann.
"Sophia will be going over as well. She is an up and coming talent."