IT TAKES plenty of dedication to make an 18-hour round trip to compete in a two-day sporting event, but that’s the reality for Muswellbrook’s Bennett family.
Josh, 19, and Daniel, 17, compete in flat track motorcycle racing and early this month travelled to Albury for the 2009 Victorian Dirt Track Titles.
Josh competed in the senior ranks, taking out third place in the Over 500cc 2 Stroke/450cc 4 Stroke class.
With few competitions held close by, dedicated parents Bruce and Joanne travel with their sons all over the countryside.
In August, the Bennett’s travelled to Nepean for the NSW Senior Titles, where Josh came fifth in the 250cc and 7th in the 450cc class finals.
Daniel also made the final for the 250cc class.
Most recently, the family travelled to the Central Coast Cup at Gosford on the weekend where Josh picked up second in the 250cc class and 3rd in the 450cc.
The Bennett boys have only recently taken to flat track riding, after spending years competing in motocross.
Josh took up flat track about 18 months ago and Daniel joined his brother in the sport when he turned 16.
Bruce said the family spends plenty of time on the road, with the sport not having an ‘off-season’.
“They ride all year round and there is normally racing two out of every four weekends,” Bruce said.
“Generally the most break in between competitions is two weekends in a row.”
The brothers are members of the Cowra Motorcycle Club.
Josh said the pair usually practice up to four times a week on the 600 metre flat track the family had built on their property near Muswellbrook.
Although they spend a lot of time travelling, locals will
have the chance to see the
Bennett brothers compete locally at the Muswellbrook Flat Track Spectacular in December, an annual competition hosted by the Kurri Kurri Motorcycle Club.