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Photo - Luke Burkhart splashes his 125cc Suzuki around Taupo to win his class.
SUZUKI NZ Ltd - Press Release:
Inclement weather did nothing to dampen the "Alpinestars Suzuki" team performance at the annual Labour Weekend "Taupo Motocross Extravaganza". Heavy track conditions made riding the usually very fast and technical track a greater test for rider and machine with deep puddles causing vision problems for riders and making passing a lottery.
125CC CLASS
One rider to fall foul of the wet conditions was Queenstown’s Scott Columb in race one. After making a strong start, Columb riding his "Alpinestars Suzuki" RM125 was putting a pass on Honda mounted Jonathan Burkhart for third place when both rode through a large puddle basically swamping Columb’s vision causing him to crash heavily over a large jump. Riding away from the field in race one was another "Alpinestars Suzuki" rider Luke Burkhart on his new 2005 model RM-Z250 passing Veteran Daryl King on the last lap for the lead in a race that had the crowd on its feet. "This bike is so much faster than my 04" said Luke after winning race one.
The second race saw Honda’s Cody Cooper get a clean start and hold onto a solid lead through the entire race with "Alpinestars Suzuki" team riders Luke Burkhart and Scott Columb second and third respectively.
Looking for an improvement after a disappointing first race saw Scott Columb riding in a class of his own in race three. With a mistake costing Luke the lead, Columb was quick to take advantage moving into first and then powering around for the top podium spot and a solid fourth overall for the day even after a DNF in the first race. With three solid performances it was Suzuki’s Luke Burkhart who took the overall for the day.
250CC CLASS
Daryl Hurley, fresh from his experiences at the Motocross Des Nations, looked unbeatable in practice and devastating in race one showing his speed and talent on the "Alpinestars Suzuki" RM250, winning by nearly a minute from second place. Race two and three were a mirror of race one with no-one matching the experience and mastery displayed by Hurley on a bike described by him as the most rider friendly 250 two stroke he’s ever ridden.
FEATURE RACE
Heading into the feature all-in race, Daryl Hurley had to overcome the fact that many riders were on larger capacity machinery and usually, on a heavy water laden track, horsepower is king.
Hurley, with several New Zealand and Australian MX titles, made short work of the pack and after an average start it wasn’t long before he was challenging Darryl King and his Yamaha YZ-F450 for the lead. Passing about mid way through the race, Hurley rode on to finish in first place and cap off a very successful weekend for Suzuki.
RESULTS:
125CC CLASS
1. Luke Burkhart - Alpinestars Suzuki
2. Michael Phillips
3. Damion King
4. Scott Columb - Alpinestars Suzuki
250CC CLASS
1. Daryl Hurley - Alpinestars Suzuki
2. Michael Cotter
3. Shaun Fogarty
FEATURE RACE
1. Daryl Hurley - Alpinestars Suzuki
2. Darryl King
3. Corrie Sargent
Full results are at Mylaps.com
