National champion inspires

Young motocross riders in Para-burdoo and Tom Price learnt from one of the best in the sport when an 11-time national motocross champion dropped by for a series of clinics.

Late last month, some 16 Para-burdoo and Tom Price children spent two days learning from Australian motocross star Lee Hogan in coaching clinics as part of the Paraburdoo Motorcycle Club’s Building Champions Program.

The clinics involved a program of drills and competitions on general motocross skills, including starts, jumping and braking.

Paraburdoo Motorcycle Club president Britt Johnson said the event had been in the works for two years and was an exciting experience for local children.

“It was almost like a once-in-a-lifetime thing for these kids, because the travel distance is so far and the airfares are so expensive,” he said.

The clinics were made possible by club fundraising and a $2500 grant from the Shire of Ashburton and were supported by a number of local businesses and community members.

Hogan posted several photos on Instagram during his Paraburdoo stay praising the local club.

“Great people, and an awesome part of Australia that I’ve never seen before!” he wrote.

“Thank you to the Paraburdoo MCC in the middle of WA for having me over to coach your local riders.”

Johnson said she had come up with the idea after her son took part in a clinic with Hogan in Darwin.

“From (my son) doing the training school with Lee Hogan, he grew in motocross skills 10-fold,” she said.

“So when I moved to the Pilbara and I became president of the motorcycle club, I just suggested to the committee whether we would like to bring him over.”

The club committee is hoping to bring Hogan back for another set of clinics next year.