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From - Nick Reader:
Down to the Wire at Suzuki Summercross\"
The action at Suzuki Summercross was non-stop as promised with an entertaining combo of intense Motocross racing and Freestyle Motocross jumping.
At the North Island Motocross Championship, Opotiki Honda star Cody Cooper cleaned up the 125cc class with 3 wins from 3. Cooper had to play catch up in Moto one, but soon reeled in Damon Smith (Auckland KTM) to take the lead and the race win. Cooper now competes in the NZ Supercross championship before heading to Australia for the Australian Motocross titles.
The National 250cc class came down to the wire with an epic tussle between Suzuki teammates Mark Penny and Cam Negus. With two corners to go in the final race, Penny needed to make a pass on Negus to take the title. Penny gunned his RM 250 to the inside of Negus to make the decisive pass, the race win and the North Island title.
As expected Darryll King on his booming YZF 450 four stroke was the dominant force in the National open class with only Corrie Sargent challenging the supremacy of the multi NZ champion and two times world #2.
DK was also the dominant force in the Feature race, which combined the best 125, 250, and open class riders in one all in race.
The man known as Sic Nick Franklin pulled out the craziest moves in the Freestyle Motocross jumping competition to win both days of the FMX and $1000. Moves including Rock Solids (flying off the back of the bike with no hands or feet touching) and Hart attacks (like doing a handstand on the handlebars) meant Franklin was the pick of the three Judges and the crowd.
Last year’s FMX winner Tim Watson took second place in the FMX comp with huge nac nacs and superman seat grabs.
Also of interest to the 2000 strong crowd were the three 11 year olds riding 80cc machines who took to the sky. The future of FMX looks strong.
Overall 500 riders took part in Suzuki Summercross, which is now firmly positioned, in the top three Motocross events in NZ and the number 2 FMX competition.
RESULTS:
National 125cc
Cody Cooper – Honda - Opotiki
Damon Smith – KTM – Auckland
Scott Columb – Suzuki - Queenstown
National 250cc
Mark Penny – Suzuki – Te Awamutu
Cam Negus – Suzuki – Honda
Peter Broxholme – Honda – Tauranga
National open class
Darryll King – Yamaha – Hamilton
Corrie Sargent – Honda – Masterton
Vance Carson – Honda
Four Strokes
Corrie Sargent – Honda – Masterton
Mitch Rowe – KTM – New Plymouth
Ollie Sharp – KTM - Auckland
Upcoming Supercross and FMX events include;
18 January 2003 – Tokoroa Supercross
6,7,8 February – Vodafone X Air Hamilton
