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The Tauranga Motorcycle Club Winter Series for Mini and Junior Motocross riders began last Sunday with quality riding and excitement that augers well for the next 3 rounds. It was a day of brilliant sunshine and equally brilliant displays of budding motocross skills.
The mini and junior events are proving to be real family affairs. The age range is from 4 to 16 and some families sport up to 3 riders. The willingness of parents to be involved in the running of the event is also to be applauded.
On the mini track, Garth Amrein held off strong attacks from both Aaron Wiltshire and Alex Blackburn to win 3 out of the 4 50cc races for Japanese 2 wheeler bikes.
In the 50cc European class, local rider Cameron Stewart faced a hard task against experienced out of town riders Isaak Moore from Raglan and Joshua Thompson from Rotorua and is running third in a very closely contested points table.
Nikita Knight from Putaruru once again proved that girls can do anything by winning all 4 races against hot competition in the form of Tauranga’s Josh Nijhuis and another Putaruru rider Cameron Van Der Heyden, all competing in the 80cc Trail category.
Ross Cossey leads the 60cc group with 3 wins and a second but has 2 local riders, Jarrod Saville and Amber Royal who went from 3rd to 2nd to 1st in successive races, close behind.
The quad numbers were a little disappointing for this first round. Troy Van Der Heyden worked hard to pip Emma Goldstone at the post. However they would both like some more competition. This is a call for the many quad bike owners out there to come along to the next round. It’s for boys and girls and it\'s great fun.
The 65cc motocross class joined the “big boys” on the main motocross track for their events. Logan Blackburn again demonstrated why he is one of the top 65cc riders in NZ but Ryan Knight, in particular, impressed with the progress he has made since the Autumn Series.
In the Junior classes, the 125s and the 80s raced together on the main track. The dominant first three literally flew around the track easily clearing the table top each time. Phil Campbell and James Hamlett led on their 125s with a persistent Scott Barr-Smith on his CR80 in chase. Sam Fenton, Caleb Watts and Luke Henry fought it out behind.
All these young riders have a very professional approach to the sport. However, amongst the group of new and emerging riders there is no less competition. Dicing for position in the lower ranks creates much excitement during the track time for unlicensed riders and non-racing beginners. It is certain that many if not all of these young riders will be licensed and fully fledged racers before too long.
The next round is scheduled for Sunday 10th August 2003. Phone 07 552 5215 (Warren) for details.
RESULTS: Mini Track
50cc Japanese
1st Garth Amrein 752nd Aaron Wiltshier 693rd Alex Blackburn 644th Kerran Saville 5250cc European
1st Isaak Moore 80 2nd Joshua Thompson 64 3rd Cameron Stewart 60 4th Hadleigh Knight 56 5th Wiremu Hohaia 4460cc Motocross
1st Ross Cossey 77 2nd Amber Royal 69 3rd Jarrod Saville 6280cc- 100cc Trail
1st Nikita Knight 80 2nd Josh Nijhuis 68 3rd Cameron Van Der Heyden 60 4th Matthew Reilly 52 5th Jamie Nijhuis 4480cc-100cc Quads
1st Troy Van Der Heyden 77 2nd Emma Goldstone 71 RESULTS: Main Track65cc Mini Motocross
1st Logan Blackburn 80 2nd Ryan Knight 68 3rd Jack Stewart 60 4th Mark Goldstone 52 5th Jordan Rika 43 6th Jarrod Gibbons 4180cc Junior Motocross
1st Scott Barr-Smith80 2nd Sam Fenton 68 3rd Luke Henry 56 4th Caleb Watts 54 5th Rhys Henry 45 6th Luke Royal 41125cc Junior Motocross
1st Phil Campbell 80 2nd James Hamlett 68
