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A line of motorbikes stuck in the mud forced organisers to stop the Taumarunui round of the national cross-country series at half-distance last weekend.
The race, the first round in the North Island section of the Suzuki championship series, was supposed to last for three hours but before the hour and a half mark the farmland track - muddy after overnight rain - became impassable.
Victory was given to young Pahiatua rider Paul Whibley, who was leading by about three minutes on his Honda CR250 when the race was called off.
\"There was an uphill section through the bush that had cut up and the bikes were wedged in the ruts,\" Whibley said. \"There was no way past, with the bush at the side of the track, and the organisers did the right thing to stop the race.\"
The victory continues a great run of success for the rising star of off-road competition. Whibley won the 2000 New Zealand enduro championship and last month finished second in the Australian four-day enduro championship near Kawhia, beaten only by world champion Stefan Merriman.
Second yesterday was local rider Kevin Archer, riding a Suzuki DRZ400 four-stroke. \"It\'s his farm so he knows the land,\" Whibley said. \"I followed him for the first couple of laps to watch his lines, and then I got past and pulled away.\"
Stacey Oldeman of Te Puke was third on a Honda CR250, while Napier rider Ben Harding rode well to finish fourth on a smaller KTM 200. Reigning champion Adam Youren took fifth place and had reason to be disappointed with the shortened race, because his success is based on his stamina and speed over the last hour of the long races.
Former champion Paul Wilson of Piopio returned to top-level competition after missing last season because of a logging accident that cut off part of his right foot. He was leading on the first lap when he crashed his Honda CR250 into a pond and had to abandon the race.
Meanwhile the opening South Island round ran without problems in dry, dusty conditions at Ikamatua in Westland. Grenville Button took victory on his KTM 400 four-stroke after fellow Christchurch rider Mark Thompson suffered engine failure on his Honda CR250 while leading in the third hour.
Ryan Currie of Rangiora was second and Dean Baird of Christchurch third, both riding Yamaha YZ250s. Currie, who was feeling ill, caught up with Button near the end but decided there was no need to risk a pass in the dust, as they were competing in different classes and there were no extra points for outright victory.
Suzuki National Cross-Country Championships, round one
North Island section, Taumarunui --
Open two-stroke: Paul Whibley (Pahiatua) Honda CR250, 1; Stacey Oldeman (Te Puke) Honda CR250, 2; Adam Youren (Napier) Suzuki RM250, 3.
Two-strokes up to 200cc: Ben Harding (Hawke\'s Bay) KTM 2000, 1; Brett Gunson (Hawke\'s Bay) KTM 200, 2; Todd Mardon (Bay of Plenty) Kawasaki KX125, 3.
Open four-stroke: Kevin Archer (Te Kuiti) Suzuki DRZ400, 1; Steven Bird (Palmerston North) Yamaha WR425, 2; Mark Whyte (Paeroa) Suzuki DRZ400, 3.
Four-stroke up to 300cc: Dene Humphrey (Auckland) Yamaha WR250 1; Mark Pollard (Te Awamutu) Honda XR250, 2; Wayne Jennings (Whakatane) Yamaha YZ250F, 3.
South Island section, Ikamatua (Westland) -
Open two-stroke: Ryan Currie (Rangiora) Yamaha YZ250, 1; Dean Baird (Christchurch) Yamaha YZ250, 2; Michael Paterson (Christchurch) Honda CR250, 3.
Two-strokes up to 200cc: John Ross (Christchurch) Kawasaki KDX200, 1; Stephen Collie (Christchurch) KTM 200, 2; Grant Oliver (Christchurch) KTM 200, 3.
Open four-stroke: Grenville Button (Christchurch) KTM 400, 1; Ian Thornycroft (Nelson) Yamaha WR400, 2; Steven Turner (South Canterbury) Honda XR650, 3.
Four-stroke up to 300cc: James Lavender (Christchurch) Yamaha YZ250F, 1; Jeremy Shaw (Timaru) Honda XR250, 2; Carl Burger, Honda XR250, 3.
