    |
 |
|
|
|
The Tauranga Motorcycle Club held the second round of its Autumn Series on Easter Sunday. Rain obligingly dampened the dust the night before but, to the delight of the 60 odd competitors and numerous spectators, stayed away for the event itself.
James Heke and newcomer Andrew Rolley provided exciting racing on the Senior track as they battled it out in Group 1 (125cc 2 stroke to 300cc 4 stroke) with James maintaining the edge in 2 out of the 3 races and taking the points lead at the end of Round 2. In the same field, Rotorua’s David Orr on a Yamaha WR250 vied for position with Tauranga’s Grant Smith on a hybrid XR250 in a KX125 frame. Only 8 points now separate these two riders.
Carl Williams convincingly won the first race in Group 2 (250cc 2 stroke to 450cc 4 stroke) but his points position was severely compromised when the motor of his Honda CR250 seized in the second race. Graham Palmer on a KTM250 was swift to take advantage. In spite of Carl’s strong comeback win in race 3 on a borrowed Gasgas EC200, Graham carries the lead and a 5 point advantage into the final round of the series scheduled for May 18th.
Phil Campbell once again rode brilliantly on the main track to secure a perfect score and a commanding lead over fellow Honda CR125 rider James Hamlett in the 125cc Junior category.
A fired up Scott Barr-Smith on a Honda CR80 dominated with ease the 85cc Junior class ahead of Jason Ponder and his CR85.
However the focus of the day was on the Junior Track and the wealth of future talent that is particularly obvious in the Mini classes.
The Club has worked seriously on the Junior Track and it is acknowledged to be one of the best in the area. The new bottom double berm corner provided permanent excitement as riders opted for one berm or the other in their attempts to get round the corner quickest.
Non stop action for both riders and spectators was the order of the day.
The separate 50s classes for Japanese and European machines provided consistently close and competitive racing. Hadleigh Knight on a Polini 50 was beaten by mere inches on the finish line by Dylan Yearbury’s KTM 50 after leading throughout the race.
In the 65cc class, Mark Goldstone rode noticeablely well and moved up into 2nd place in the points standings behind leader Logan Blackburn.
The ATV (quad) classes for both 50cc and 90cc bikes are proving increasingly popular with hot competition amongst the 5 to 7 year olds on their 50ccs.
The closeness of the points table in all classes and grades promises more exciting racing in the final round of the series which will be held at the same venue at Rowe Road Ohauiti on Sunday May 18th. Spectators are welcome.
Saturday March 15th saw the first round of the Tauranga Motorcycle Club Autumn Series Motocross in perfect conditions on the club’s home track at Ohauiti.
Lee McLean on an RM125 proved outstanding on the main motocross track. Not content with effortlessly winning all three 8 lap races in the 125cc 2 stroke to 300cc 4 stroke class, Lee rode direct from the finish of these races to the start of the next grade up events. “Just for the practice” (and not for points), he proceeded to annihilate the opposition in the 250cc 2 stroke to 450cc 4 stroke class as well. He clearly demonstrated that fitness as well as technique is an essential part of motocross racing.
Phil Campbell, in spite of an 8 week absence from the track through injury, proved equally dominating in the Junior grade on his Honda CR125 and provided a standard for less experienced riders to aspire to. Behind him the Dunstan brothers, Russell on his RM125 and Andrew on his CR85, battled it out with Scott Barr-Smith on a CR80. It is encouraging for the sport to see the talent of these young riders.
The Junior track, located inside the senior track, was seeing plenty of action at the same time. Places in the 65cc class in particular were keenly disputed. Kayne Lamont, Jack Stewart, Logan Blackburn and Mark Goldstone were all top 5 finishers in their respective classes at last year’s nationals so the next rounds of the Autumn series are guaranteed to be highly competitive as well. It was encouraging to see the participation of a number of first time competitors in the smaller classes on both quad and 2 wheeler bikes.
Rounds 2 and 3 will be held at the same venue at Rowe Road, Ohauiti on Sunday 20th April and Sunday May 18th. Spectators are welcome.
