PETRINA Liemburg and Ben McMullen last week showed they were not only good Circular Head motocross riders but two of the most talented riders in the state.

 
Liemburg won the Tasmanian Girls on the Gas competition and McMullen the Groms on the Gas, which were held at Briant Park. This is the first time the events have been held in Circular Head.
The locals were well represented with about half of the field of five girls and 10 "groms". The Circular Head Motorcycle Club is proud that two of its members won the event.
After a clinic on day one, the riders were judged on day two in four categories: technique, lap time, fitness and public speaking. Points were added up to find the winner.
Liemburg also won this event last year when it was held in Hobart. Her results were the same this time, winning three out of the four sections, only falling short in the beep test.
Her win was even more impressive because she only got her arm out of plaster on the Friday before riding on the Saturday and Sunday. Liemburg said it was sore but did not hurt as much as she thought it would.
 
McMullen has been riding since he was four-years-old and racing with the CHMCC for the past three years but is new to the wider competitive scene. The 15-year-old started competing in the state rounds over the past year and this was his first time in the Groms on the Gas competition.
He used his Briant Park knowledge well to win the lap time section and was also the best public speaker to be the overall winner.
 
Liemburg and McMullen will go to Melbourne later this year for the final showdown where they compete in this competition against the best riders from around Australia.
Liemburg came equal third in the final showdown last year. She said competition is more serious in Melbourne, there is no clinic to start with just 20 minutes riding to get used to the track.
Liemburg said as Tasmanians they will unknown in Melbourne; many other riders do not expect a competition to be held in Tasmania so it will be a chance to make an impression.
They both plan to work on their fitness and riding skills throughout there year. They ride every week anyway so it will not be too much hard work.
 
Tasmania's best: Ben McMullen and Petrina Liemburg won the Groms and Girls on the Gas competitions last week and will compete in Melbourne later in the year. Picture: Shana Morgan.
 
Article and image was provided by Circular head Chronicle’s Journalist Shana Morgan
Wednesday 18th March 2009