Champion starts with win

REIGNING champion Anthony Queripel picked up from where he left off as he claimed victory in the opening sand race of the season.

The sun made periodic appearances on a dull day to greet another campaign at Vazon and the senior motorcycle riders had the honour of starting the meeting with a very tight finish in the first race between Queripel, long-time competitor Mike Clarke and a fast-charging Martyn Guilbert.

Queripel and Guilbert dominated the lead positions for the remaining races with close competition lower down the field between Dave Cleal and Rob Teed, Colin Teed and Eddie Goracy while Nick Russell on the big Honda 900cc battled with young George van der Tang for the final slots.

First retirement of the season went to Dave Patten.