Queanbeyan's motorcycling enthusiasts are in for a treat this weekend when the ACT Motorcycle Club kicks off the dirt track season with one of its two marquee events, Kings and Queens of Canberra.
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Neighbouring Fairbairn Park on Pialligo Avenue will play host to the event as some of the best dirt track riders converge upon capital country, and ACTMCC dirt track chair Darylene Austin said the quality competition would be worth the wander over the border.
"For the punters, what they can see is the best riders in Australia competing against each other and gaining the respect of other competitors," she said.
"We get riders from Adelaide, Queensland, Central Coast, Victoria, New South Wales and ACT all battling it out to be the best in their field.
"It also has the respect as if it was a championship meeting from all the competitors, because it is a sanctioned event through Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling NSW."
Canberra has traditionally held the opening race meetings of the season, and the local dirt track contingent will have a strong presence in kicking off the year with 60 of the approximate 150 riders hailing from the area.
"We usually get that much representation on the local side," Austin said.
"But I've had a lot of interest from interstate this year, so we have a lot coming interstate that haven't been here before."
A recent surge in popularity has enveloped the sport, and Austin said this had culminated in further interest in the event, as well as an increased female presence.
Nine female riders are competing in Kings and Queens, five of which are from the area, including Corinna Erhardt of Tuggeranong.
Kings and Queens of Canberra will be held at Fairbarn Park, just outside of Queanbeyan on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7.