As per request from the outriders, the km signs are already printed, mounted and are being installed right now.

By Blaster Babe

Australia's toughest ATV race, the main event in what has become Australia's biggest ATV Festival; was once again the place to be for excitement, disappointment, big laughs, some tears, and great memories.

The festivities kicked off on the morning of Good Friday for the Can Am backed event with the Junior 90 youngsters let loose on the infamous Scorpion Park track. Billy Shaw-MacMillan and Callen Holtham rode to victory in the new 90 Limited class, with a whole swag of keen youngsters contesting the 90 Comp class.

The premier event, The Thumb Pump 300 began bright and early on day two. The always popular Le Mans start was as nail-biting as ever. Running fast in full race kit is no guarantee to a "good start" to the race, as poor Ben Wade discovered. The promising youngster was quick off the mark but threw his chain on take-off and looked on in heart-break as the rest of the field sped away.  Halfway through the first session, Harry Van Vliet erred and met with a tree resulting in a chopper ride to Adelaide to mend a broken femur and cracked shoulder. First on the scene was his good mate Demika Anderson. The petite teen was not able to flip the bike over completely, but stayed holding it off Harry until track officials arrived. In the ultimate example to the rest of us that "you never leave a mate behind" Anderson effectively forfeited her race chances by remaining by Harry's side throughout the whole ordeal. She stuck by her friend, working with the paramedics to help keep him calm and distracted. These were two of the youngest senior competitors, but showed us all the true spirit of camaraderie that the quad community is known for. Harry's race partner in the Team's Class, Jake Van Vliet soldiered on solo, but it was the dueling duos of Knight/Booth and Reed/A. Anderson that provided all the excitement in the Teams. The Mens Open was hotly contested with not much breathing room between Patrick Geraghty and James Patterson. But the grueling track was taking its toll on Geraghtys machine as it limped around with the smell of baked engine oil wafting from it. The afternoon continued to wreak havoc on bikes and bodies with half a dozen more requiring tows back to the pits. At the end of the session, Troy Sheridan was leading the Pro Class pack with 18 minutes to spare over Victorian boys Adam Larson and Cam Wade.

The excitement continued in the High Beam 100, with night-race-virgin Mitch Van Vliet having a run-in with some kangaroos.This year the race was run a bit earlier, allowing for a Le Mans start before sunset, rather than single starts at timed intervals. Troy Ellis's blue neon trimmed YFZ was quite impressive to watch fly by in the dark, but it was no match for the Tassie Crew member Clinton Sheridan who romped home with the victory over Mitch, and Paul Hendy looking solid in third. And rather than take time out to savour the win, Clinton stepped off his bike and was straight back at work fixing his brothers bike ready for the Main Events final session the following day!

Day three saw the thrilling conclusion to the TP300 race with many more struggling to master Australia's Toughest ATV race. James "Patto" Patterson and his KTM both hung on to take the cup for Men's Open, with Chris Beimans and Darran Paulo trailing further back. The Teams class provided close racing during both sessions, but it was the partnership of Howard Reed and Andreas Anderson who eventually came out on top, with Darrell Knight and Rob Booth not far behind. Back on the bike after recovering from injury, Chelsea Deboo made it clear to all that this was her turf, as she easily took the checkers in the Women's Class. Amy Page from the Tassie Crew showed a lot of heart as she valiantly claimed second as her own. And here's a tip: she'll be the one to watch next year! Can-Am's Lisa Hoyle was unchallenged for third after Demika Anderson's lengthy break in session one. There were no surprises when Troy "Budda" Sheridan crossed the line first, though there were plenty of cheers all round and a few tears of joy in the Tassie camp. This young superstar no doubt got slogged with rather hefty excess baggage charges for the return trip as he also took home cups for Fastest Lap and Outright Winner, and the overwhelming swag of goodies that came with it from Sidchrome, CRC, and OzTrail.

After the big event was won, the huge crowd and competitors lined the drag strip to see the crazy characters and their even crazier machines do battle.

The Pinnaroo local boys populated the unlimited class, and the victor was of course Todd Niejalke and his sweet Banshee/Fireblade hybrid. That unmistakable CBR sound drowning out all other noise as it ripped down the strip. Dangerman's ZX10R powered YFZ also turned a few heads, but Craig "Jing" Jenzen's Sportsman 800 just couldn't keep up with those monsters. Ballarat's Andy "Mudguts" Seels was a sight to behold decked out in "farmers flannel" competing just to put a smile on everyone's face and to showcase some of his Austraco aftermarket wares, he succeeded at both.  After going missing for a few hours during the first session of the TP300, Raymond Cole salvaged his weekend by claiming top honours in the enduro  class of the Sand Drags, and Adam Larson proved he was faster than Troy Sheridan on the short track at least.

Presentation is always memorable, and this years' was no exception. Race Steward Trudy Van Vliet was asked to do the honor of drawing the raffle ticket from the tub with a groggy Harry Van Vliet on the phone. Trudy held the phone up to the microphone for the crowd to hear a meek "hello" to which he was answered with a mighty "HI HARRY!" from all in attendance. The lucky raffle winner was none other than Alice Springs larrikin Patrick Geraghty. Paddy was in fine form having got a head start on the evenings "festivities" and seized the opportunity to thank his sponsors and support crew. During the very lengthy speech, he was reminded by the mistress of ceremonies that an acceptance speech wasn't normally required for winning a raffle.

The final day of the festival decided the Junior class races with their second sessions followed by Junior Presentation. Experience told the tale when the speedy Kellan Robinson won the Junior 300 class after day four. The young Victorian told us he loves to "just do as much riding as he can find" be it MX, Enduro, or otherwise. Promising South Aussies Kristen Ellis and Lachlan Anderson took second and third respectively.

In the 90 Comp class, it was easy to see from whom the youngest racers learned their skills; as the weekend was won by Kellan's younger brother Aidan Robinson, and Kristen's younger sister Kiara Ellis claimed second. Cameron Craddock took home a well-earned third.

Final congratulations should go to Mick and Tiffanae Andrewartha for organizing this fantastic event, and her whole crew of officials and volunteers that worked tirelessly to make the weekend such a success. And if you are reading this because you weren't there, then make darn sure you don't miss it next year!

Junior 90 LTD and Comp Results

Junior 300 Results

Thumb Pump 300 Results

Highbeam 100 Results

Junior 90 Ltd
1. Callen Holtham (SA)
2. Billy Shaw-MacMillan (SA)

Junior 90 Comp
1. Aidan Robinson (Vic)
2. Kiara Ellis (SA)
3. Cameron Craddock (Vic)

Junior 300
1. Kellan Robinson (Vic)
2. Kristen Ellis (SA)
3. Lachlan Anderson (SA)

Sand Drags Unlimited
1. Todd Niejalke (SA)
2. Darren Barson (SA)
3. Andrew Seels (Vic)

Sand Drags Enduro
1. Raymond Cole (Vic)
2. Adam Larson (Vic)
3. Troy Sheridan (Tas)

Highbeam 100
1. Clinton Sheridan (Tas)
2. Mitchell Van Vliet (Vic)
3. Paul Hendy (SA)

Teams
1. Andreas Anderson/Howard Reed (SA)
2. Rob Booth/Darrell Knight (NSW/SA)
3. Lachlan Bailey/Roydn Bailey (SA)

Open Womens
1. Chelsea DeBoo (SA)
2. Amy Page (Tas)
3. Lisa Hoyle (SA)

Open Mens
1. James Paterson (SA)
2. Chris Beimans (SA)
3. Darran Paulo (Vic)

Pro 450
1. Troy Sheridan (Tas)
2. Cameron Wade (Vic)
3. Adam Larson (Vic)

Fastest Lap
Troy Sheridan (Tas)

Outright Winner
Troy Sheridan (Tas)

Well the 2012 TP300 ATV festival is now only a few days away and we want to remind/inform you all of some important points.

 · The website will be updated this afternoon with all entries received up to 12 noon Monday 2^nd April . Please check your numbers and the events for which you are entered. If there are any errors/omissions please call Tiff on 0413 618 817.

· No tear offs are to be used under any circumstances so please do not pack them. We will be keeping an eye on this.

· There is to be no alcohol consumed in the pits until all racing is completed. Please remember that we are racing over 4 days and racing includes highbeam100 so if you have finished racing for the day please make sure that if you are having a couple of drinks that you do it outside of this area.

· If you have an MA licence you will need to provide this as well as photo id at sign in. This is required as the MA licence no longer has a photo.

· If you require a day licence please bring photo id with you (and $45 if you have not already paid for it).

· If you are under 18 please ensure that you bring your parent/guardian with you to sign in

· Each rider/entry will need to bring your mechanic/refueller to sign in and riders brief as they will also need to be credentialed to be track side for fuelling etc, this will also ensure that they receive the necessary instructions for refuelling.

· We will be running to the posted time schedule (where possible), the schedule is on the website but there will also be schedules posted around the event. Please ensure that you are aware of what time you need to be somewhere.

· We will have enviro mats for sale, they are $6.00 each. We will have a limited supply for those that do not have them, don't forget to throw yours in if you have one.

· There are still a couple of riders that have some money outstanding; I have spoken with most of you. Please make sure you bring it with you to sign in.

· If you have sent in a copy/fax of your entry, please ensure that you bring the original if you have not already sent it.

· There is a raffle running at the event. All funds raised will go the local Ambulance service. Tickets are $2 each.  The major prize has been donated by Sidchrome for this and is even bigger than last years.

· Don’t forget we will have hot showers. We would ask for a gold coin donation for the use of these that will be given back to the local community.

· Please support the catering; those of you who were at the last couple of TP300’s know what a great job they do.

· Trish is also available for massages, she has all of her details on the website, and I know that she is already receiving bookings.

· NO GLASS, Cans are ok and are easier to dispose of for the property owners

· No Ground Fires in camp ground & pit area, fires in drums are ok provided they are managed, BYO firewood

· There is a 25k/ph speed limit in effect in and around the camp ground, spectator areas and also along the section of the Border Track that runs through the property.

Most of all get ready for a great weekend. It is shaping up to be an absolutely fantastic event with a great mix of riders both new to the event and 5 time veterans.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Tiff@47

Less than a week to go now and there will be some final instructions up on here later today but this little one is to let everyone know that the Strawberries and Cream van will be in attendance again this year so go see Froggy for all your Strawberry related needs, also they make great coffee and milkshakes.