Thrills and spills galore

Dust went flying as more than 90 riders took to the track at Indee Station for the 12th annual Indee 500 enduro dirt race earlier this month.

On the first day of the event, 15 junior riders took to the 23km course for a two-hour race, with Jai Lawer taking out first place, followed closely by Jeremy Johnson in second spot while Riley Schmidt placed third with all three managing seven laps.

A one-lap prologue race was also held to determine placings for the main event, with the seniors battling it out for the best time to ensure they got an early start the next day.

Karratha’s Luke Clay came away with the fastest time, followed closely by Dave Whitehead and then the first of the Pony Express teams of Karratha-rider Tyson Lind and Kalgoorlie-rider Paul Nappy.

Following this bunch was a trio of local riders including Aidan Chamberlain, Aaron Milkins and Robbie Whiteman who rounded out the top six. Racing started on Saturday, with everyone off the line.

Clay was on fire leading lap one, followed closely by Dave Whitehead.

However, Whitehead came off his bike just 7km before the mid-point fuel stop, and suffered a broken collarbone and scapular.

Aidan Chamberlain and Robbie Whiteman were then left to battle for second place, with Chamberlain successful for day one.

In the quad class, Stuart William had bad luck with the bike breaking down twice, giving the rest of the field a clean run.

John Iuliano won first place in the class.

Sunday morning brought lots of sore bodies and an equal amount of flat tyres.

Chamberlain and Whiteman experienced flat tyres, while Clay had a clean run to the finish line, giving him his first, a huge achievement for the rider who had competed in the event seven times previously.

Second place went to Steven Quinn, of Karratha, while third place went to Rob Pollard, of Perth.

The Paul Mckinnis award for the highest-placing Hedland rider went to Robbie Whiteman.

Indee 500 co-ordinator Andrew Paine said the event went really well this year, with increased numbers.

“It was a good atmosphere and the event went smoothly,” he said.

“It was great to see Luke Clay come out for a win. This was his seventh Indee and he’s had a did-not finish a couple times, a third, a second ... I’m glad he had a good race all weekend.

“It was good to watch.”