Lemon Tree Passage brothers Bayley and Mitchell Jones will mix it with riders from as far away as Victoria and Queensland.

“Believe it or not we’ve even got riders coming from Townsville,” said Hunter Motor Cycle Club president Keith Davies, in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

“We’re expecting some excellent racing. It’s an event that commands a lot of respect nationally.”

The 28th running of the Chris Watson Motorcycles and Honda Australia Trackmasters honours two of the sport’s greats. 

Riders in the Pro Open class will be racing for the Rod Allen Memorial Solo Open Trophy, honouring the race announcer who was ‘the voice’ of speedway and dirt track racing in the Hunter region for over three decades.

Sidecar racers will be chasing the George Watson Memorial Trophy, honouring the multiple title winning star of the 1970s and 1980s.

While George built up his great record, in the late 1970s he was accompanied to race meetings by his son Chris Watson who went on to be the most successful rider in this discipline of the sport.

Hunter MCC will look to talents of Boyd Hollis of Thornton and Mackenzie Childs of Valentine, both on the cusp of the senior ranks.

The action starts at 10am Saturday and Sunday. 

Entry is free on Saturday and just $20 a car on Sunday ($10 for seniors).