Past, present and quite likely future champions shared the spotlight as the 2008 Riverina Long Track Cup marked the return of motor cycle track racing to the Yarragundry Park track near Wagga Wagga on Australia Day.
 
One past and two current Australian champions were joined in the winners’ circle by several young guns who appear destined for higher honours in the sport.

While both the long track solo and sidecar classes had disappointingly small line-ups, the crowd at least got to see a past and current Australian champion in fine form.

Sydney’s Craig Watson was a sight to behold as he blitzed the long track slider class. Strider Horton of Newcastle was the only rider to even briefly threaten Watson but a broken chain in his last ride meant Horton was even denied second place overall to the outgunned, but consistently finishing, Cliff Patton of Penrith.

Sidecar stars Darrin Treloar of Sydney and his passenger Justin Plaisted of Adelaide triumphed despite losing out in one heat to Adelaide duo Mark Plaisted and passenger Sam Harrison.

All of the dirt track classes attracted good entry lists with plenty of close, hard fought racing the order of the night. Even though a number of winners scored a clean sweep of their races they often endured tough battles to achieve that.

The other reigning Australian champion, Southern Highlands based Luke Gough was victorious in the over 450cc 4-stroke class winning all four rounds, but in most of them he had to come from behind to beat the very quick starting Daniel Romeo of Griffith, with Wagga Wagga rider Gavin Smith riding consistently to finish third.

Romeo dominated the Pre 1980 Classic class despite the efforts of Canberra rider Cory Banks and Gavin Smith.

Two youngsters won the two classes of racing that they contested.

Seventeen year old Canberra rider Nathan Pocomoke was unbeaten in both the 250cc 4-stroke class and the up to 450cc 4-stroke class. On the few occasions that he was, briefly, threatened he produced an extra surge to soon take control. 

Two 16 year olds, Michael Sulcs of Canberra and the furthest travelled competitor at the meeting, Jace Castles from Brisbane each finished runner-up to Porombka in one of the classes while the more experienced Ian Hamilton, also of Canberra, finished third in both classes.

Fifteen year old Grant Charnock of Cowra showed what a fine young talent he is, winning both the 125cc and 250cc classes. Senior riders take note for when he joins the senior ranks. Charnock worked hard to overcome Canberra rider Michael Vecchi in both classes.

There was plenty to like in the junior events with the Cook brothers from Cowra, Ben and Zac both taking class wins.

Wagga Wagga youngster Aiden Feeney had a busy night contesting three classes, finishing with a win and two third placings overall.

Another Wagga Wagga club member, Griffith based Jake Aramini also had a class win, while another Canberra junior Patrick McLaughlin was also prominent.

Results Of Riverina Motor Cycle Long Track Cup
Staged At Yarragundry Park, Wagga Wagga  On Saturday Evening, 26 January 2008.

250cc 4-stroke   
Nathan Porombka (ACT)  Michael Sulcs (ACT)   Ian Hamilton (ACT)

up to 450cc 4-stroke   
Nathan Porombka (ACT)  Jace Castles (North Brisbane)  Ian Hamilton (ACT)

over 450cc 4-stroke  
Luke Gough (Central Coast)  Daniel Romeo (Griffith)  Gavin Smith (Wagga Wagga)

Long Track   
Craig Watson (Sydney)   Cliff Patton (Penrith)   Strider Horton (Newcastle)

Long Track   
Darrin Treloar/ (Sydney)  Mark Plaisted /(Adelaide)  Mick Farrell (Newcastle)

Sidecar    
Justin Plaisted    Sam Harrison    Wayne Farrell

(Note: First mentioned name Darrin Treloar is the rider, second name Justin Plaisted is the passenger

500cc Classic Slider 
Bob Sunderland (Wagga Wagga) Mark Aliprandi (Surfair)   No third

Pre 1980 Classic  
Daniel Romeo (Griffith)  Cory Banks (ACT)   Gavin Smith (Wagg Wagga)

65cc 7-U/9 years  
Zac Cook (Cowra)   Aubrey Faull (Taree)   Jahki Nelligen (Cowra)

65cc 9-U/13 years  
Ben Cook (Cowra)   Jake Aramini (Wagga Wagga) Patrick McLaughlin (ACT)

85-150cc 9-U/12years  
Jake Aramini (Wagga Wagga) Bayley Faull (Taree)   Sophie Newell (Kurri Kurri) 

85-150cc 12-U/16 years 
Aiden Feeney (Wagga Wagga) Patrick McLaughlin (ACT)  Guiseppe Scarcella (Central Coast)

125cc 13-U/16 years  
Grant Charnock (Cowra)   Michael Vecchi (ACT)  Aiden Feeney (Wagga Wagga)

250cc 4-stroke 13-U/16 yrs 
Grant Charnock (Cowra)  Michael Vecchi (ACT)  Aiden Feeney (Wagga Wagga)