Backyard Dirt, Big Heart: Falklands Moto Shines at Grimmers!

Photos by Shanice Sim and Jodie Robson.

Falkland Islands Motorcycle Association Motocross, Round 5, delivered exactly what island motocross does best. Community, grit, and genuine racing, all set against the backdrop of Grimmers Track, a private circuit carved out on the land behind the home of Eddie Grimmer and Tanya Jaffray, who proudly sponsored the event. From the moment engines fired, it was clear this was going to be one of those days riders and spectators alike would be talking about for a long time.

A total of 46 riders lined up across the classes, supported by a strong turnout of spectators who came to cheer on family and friends. That support matters here. You feel it trackside. The fence line was full, the pits were busy, and the atmosphere had that unmistakable buzz that only a dry, sunny race day can bring. In the Falklands, a dry race day is always a victory before a wheel even turns.

The peewee classes once again stole the show. These young riders continue to set the standard for determination and heart. Reagan Mittens pulled off some genuinely impressive overtakes that had people pointing and talking between motos. Millie Peters lined up for her very first race and rode with composure well beyond her experience, doing herself proud from start to finish. Harry Smith made a welcome return to racing, showing no signs of hesitation after time away. Logan Berntsen had a tumble and aggravated an already sore knee, yet still remounted and carried on. That kind of toughness is learned early out here, and it is inspiring to watch. Across the board, the peewees showed improving technique, confidence, and race craft, and they continue to make the entire association proud.

The junior classes faced a serious challenge this weekend, stepping up to the bigger track layout. With smaller wheels and less power, the conditions demanded commitment and control. There were falls, there were restarts, and there were plenty of smiles when helmets came off. Troy Grimmer had one of the more dramatic moments of the day, coming off at speed in a reminder that motocross rewards bravery but demands respect. In Junior B, Leighton stood out by being the only rider to fully commit to the jump during racing, earning well deserved recognition for backing himself and sending it.

The women’s racing was another highlight. Regan Newman put in a massive weekend, racing both the women’s and clubman classes on Sunday. Two races back to back and four races in total is no small effort, yet she rode smooth, smart, and consistently placed well. She set the tone for how it should be done. It was also great to see three additional women lining up alongside her, including the return of the Stewart sisters, who made a strong and confident comeback that did not go unnoticed.

Clubman saw a healthy turnout with a couple of new bikes in the mix, adding fresh interest and bench racing chatter. Regular clubman rider “Salty” raised a few eyebrows with a noticeably calmer pace, later revealed to be a strategic decision ahead of an upcoming holiday. No broken bones, no problems. The expert class rounded out the day in familiar fashion, pushing hard and keeping the standard high.

With sunshine, dry conditions, and great racing across all classes, this event at Grimmers Track was a clear success. It showcased not just speed, but resilience, sportsmanship, and the tight knit motocross community that defines racing in the Falkland Islands.

RESULTS

Peewee:

1st Eli Turner

2nd Logan Berntsen

3rd Lydia Peters

4th Deegan Glandville

5th Raegan Mittens

 6th Elyse Sim

7th Harry Smith

8th Talia Thain

9th Millie Peters

Junior B:

1st Miaya Thain

2nd Leighton Clifton

3rd Jaydee Mansilla

4th Nate Mansilla

5th Kaleb Henry

6th Kieran Mills

7th Iefan Jones

Junior A:

1st Cohen Sim

2nd Riley Mills

3rd Harry H-P

4th Drew March

5th Dionne Stewart

Ladies:

1st Regan Newman

2nd Rebecca Clarke

3rd Whitney Stewart

4th Kerys Clarke

Clubmen:

1st Troy Grimmer

2nd Nathan Luxton

3rd Robbie George

4th Regan Newman

5th Leslie Dixon

6th Jesse Ross

7th Nathan Johnson

8th Sam Cook

9th Kristen Fowler

10th Ross Peters

11th Leroy March

12th Darren Clingham

Paul Joshua (DNF)

Tiron Mittens (DNF)

Experts:

1st Jay Moffatt

2nd James Tyrrell

3rd Chico (always on time) Thomas

4th Adrian Sim

5th Josh Young

Conrad Francis (DNF)

Lee Vasey (DNF)

Winner of the Beer Leg - Troy Grimmer (Eddie Grimmer)