International riders play second fiddle to locals
Bermuda riders got one over their international counterparts at the Motorsports Park at Southside on Sunday as the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC) hosted their final event of the National Championship Series.
Emerson Conner, of the US, and Australian Justin Maley couldn't better the likes of Keanu Wilson and Ed Cook respectively as the local riders tested their skills against overseas competition in the season's curtain call.
Cook won all of his three races in the Formula class over Maley, who placed second in the first race, while Billy Dunn finished second in the other two races.
In the GP 125cc class, Keanu Wilson was the dominant rider, although Conner and Bruce DeGrilla Jr. weren't too far behind.
Wilson won two motos and placed second in the other, while DeGrilla won a race and was second in another.
Conner, 15, claimed a second and a third in his three races although he didn't have the time he wanted to get accustomed to the track due to bike clearance at Customs.
Paul DeCouto of the BMRC was pleased with the weekend and the experience the local riders gained.
"We had a nice turnout, a big crowd and the most exciting races were the 125cc and the formula class with the two international riders in these categories," said DeCouto.
"It took them some time to get used to the track, in particular Emerson Conner, with the wait for the bikes to clear Customs and so forth, but in all it was very entertaining.
"It seemed as though we had in excess of 1,000 people come to the meet.
"The last weekend has set us up for next season, and obviously after the racing from the weekend being the last day, people will be very excited when racing commences.
"The experience for the local riders was invaluable considering the timing of the riders coming down at the end of the season, it gives the local guys extra incentive."