The Far South Coast Motorcycle Club (FSCMCC) has been voted NSW motorcycle club of the year at the prestigious Motorcycling NSW (MNSW) Night of Champions held last Saturday night at the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club.
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Over 600 competitors and guests were in attendance with state champions being announced for 79 NSW motorcycle events.
The FSCMCC is a small local club dedicated to providing one of Australia’s leading motocross and dirt tack facilities for the benefit of motorcycling enthusiasts, young and old.
Last Friday night, FSCMCC held its own annual Christmas party at the Bega Showground.
In addition to awarding local championship trophies and Annette Nichols’ fun novelty awards, two stalwarts of the club Mark Mead and Kieran Harris, were honoured with life memberships.
Both humbly accepted this recognition to cheers from the crowd of over 150 guests, as they paid tribute to the many people who volunteered their time over 20 years to get the club where it is today.
On Saturday morning, a number of club members headed to Penrith to represent the club at the MNSW Night of Champions.
Taking off from Merimbula Airport and nursing a few headaches from the Christmas party, the group were eager to represent the club with pride.
Mark Beretta from Channel 7 was the host of the NSW Night of Champions and paid tribute to the five clubs that made the finals.
Mr Beretta noted that each club had made huge contributions to motorcycling, their facilities and their local communities.
Voting was extremely tight, with FSCMCC winning on the night by one vote.
Mr Beretta paid tribute to the husband and wife team of Mark and Annette Nichols, who work tirelessly to promote FSCMCC and support the many families who participate at working bees and on race days.
Both Mark and Annette Nichols accepted the award on behalf of FSCMCC.
“This is a huge honour for our small family club,” Mark said.
“To be recognised by MNSW as the best motorcycle club in the state is fantastic.
“Daniel Gatt and his team of dedicated staff at MNSW are to be congratulated for hosting the MNSW Night of Champions, promoting the sport and sharing success.
“We will display this award with maximum pride as we support our club members to achieve their motorcycle dreams,” he said.
Annette echoed the sentiment to thank dedicated club members.
“This award is dedicated to the committee, volunteers and track officials that turn up week in, week out to make motorsport happen on the south coast,” Annette said.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone as we continue to work hard to prove that our club is truly deserving of this recognition.”
After hearing the announcement, support streamed in for the club on social media.
Messages of congratulations and praise had been steadily appearing on the club’s Facebook site.
Support for award winner Jimmy Griffin was also evident on Facebook (see story on right).
Some of the club’s younger members celebrated the news with a fist pump before “cutting some laps” around the Tantawangalo circuit.
Young local rider Jimmy Griffin was also in attendance to pick up his third place in the NSW State Titles for Motocross 15 years 250cc four stroke - the premier event in junior motocross.
“I would like to thank MNSW, the clubs who hosted the three rounds of the championship, Yamaha Australia for providing me two great bikes for the year, Mick Cole Motorcycles, Singleton Motorcycles, Scott Goggles, Shift gear and Bear MX for their great gear,” Jimmy said at the presentation.
Mr Beretta interviewed Jimmy on the night and congratulated him on his efforts.
“Jimmy, I hear you have had a great year, finishing in the top five in every major event you competed in this year,” Mr Beretta said.
“That is extremely consistent given the talent in the sport right now.”
Jimmy paid tribute to the high level of competition in his reply.
“Yes I was over the moon with this year’s results.
“I ran fifth in both the 125cc two-stroke and 250cc four-stroke events at the Australian Junior Motocross Titles, and even cracked a few hole-shots.
“My bikes were good and my fitness held up well over the seven days of racing the best junior racers in the country and from NZ and America.
It has proved to me that hard work pays off,” he said.
