Craig takes out national championships

Craig during his race

USQ Database administrator, Craig Blackburn, recently won National Veteran Champion at the 2011 Australian Quad Motor Cross Championships.

Craig started racing quad bikes in 2009 and quickly showed promise, placing well at a number of state titles.

He said he began training for this year’s Australian titles in February, but almost didn’t make it to the event due to an injury he sustained while training.

'When the National Quad MX Titles were announced in 2010 and they were to be held at Coolum, I knew I stood a chance of doing well. My training started in February, with Bootcamp twice a week at USQ, along with two gym sessions per week.'

'Three weeks out from the big weekend it nearly all came undone. A mistimed jump whilst racing in Clermont resulted in a near broken ankle and one and a half weeks on crutches. Luckily the swelling and pain subsided enough to allow me to compete.'

Craig said he was confident he would do well before the riders lists where announced and he realised he would be competing against pro-rider Ian Ffitch.

'Prior to the announcement of the riders list of who was attending the event, I was confident I would do well. I had researched the winners of the Vets event for the last three years and I knew I had their measure. Once I heard that Pro Rider Ian Ffitch was attending and racing in my class, I was suddenly less than optimistic.

'Some research on him indicated he had been racing quads for over 20 years, was the only non-US citizen to win the Pro series in the USA, and he wins nearly every event in NZ. It would be an uphill battle for sure.

'After the last of five races I was ushered into the holding yard. My brother came running over and excitedly told me the news that Ian Ffitch’s quad had broken down on the first lap. He was unable to complete the race, meaning he would not get any points for that race. It seems his high horsepower Honda did not last the distance.

'The realisation that I possibly had won the Vets title hit me and I couldn’t believe it, I had tears in my eyes. My dream had come true.

'I couldn’t have done it without the help of my sponsors Valvoline, Platinum Paint and Panel Toowoomba, Coastal 4x4 ARB Hervey Bay, Team IronPot, Colac Motorcycles.

'Special mention needs to go to my wife Jacqui and my kids who have endured many hours of being dragged all over the place attending races, and me being absent from home attending Boot Camps, my best friend Scott Henschen, and my brother Ashley who helped me over the weekend.'

Craig is now busily preparing for his next challenge, The QLD State Quad MX Titles later this month.

'I hope to claim that title as well. I am also leading the ThunderX Natural Terrain series after round three. To win that series would be a good finish to the year.'

Contact Details:

Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, 07 4631 2977