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[Suzuki Press Release]
TITLE RACE HEATS UP
The small South island settlement of Waimate hosted for the second round of the New Zealand Motocross Championship with record crowds making the trip to the natural terrain circuit to see some of our best MX riders battle for points in this year’s four round series.
125 National Class
Qualifying on pole position left not doubt that Alpinestar Suzuki rider Scott Columb is probably one of New Zealand’s most improved riders after spending some valuable time overseas during the off-season here in NZ. A crash in race one left Columb playing catch up and with points so important in a long series like this, he knew that fifth or sixth was going to make catching Honda’s Cody Cooper more difficult. “I rode so hard at the start, passing riders up to second position that I got arm pump and in the end I had to settle runner up” said Columb. Two second place results in race two and three left Columb a clear second over all for the series and well within sight of series points leader Cooper.
250 National
Masterton’s Luke Burkhart fired a warning shot at competitors by qualifying fastest in Saturdays timed practice on a track which he described as being one of the best he has ever ridden.
After finishing third overall at the previous round, Burkhart was primed ready to regain some points on his Alpinestar Suzuki RM250. Showing some of the speed that took him to a national 125 title in 2001, Burkhart won race one and two from Honda’s Shayne King, thrilling the crowds with some wheel to wheel racing against the former 500cc world champion. Race three saw Burkhart crash on the last lap to lose the lead to King and finish second but still take the overall for the day. “I’m pumped to win here today, even after probably one of the biggest crashes of my career in the last race,” said Burkhart.
Te Awamutu Alpinestar rider Mark Penny showed that he is still one of New Zealand’s most consistent riders by notching up some strong results for the day moving up to sixth overall in the series just 2 points behind Yamaha’s Cam Negus.
500 National
Like his teammates, Hawera’s Daryl Hurley set the pace in qualifying by setting the equal fastest time in qualifying with Honda’s Shayne King. The racing on Sunday was a different story from the previous round in Taupo, with Hurley leaving the rest in his wake as he kept the throttle to the stop on his Alpinestar RM-Z450 four stroke. “I had fun out there today, the bike was running well and this track was awesome, this is what motocross is all about” said Hurley.
With points close in all classes, spectators will be in for a treat when the riders gather for the next round in New Plymouth on October 16.
Provisional Results Round Two of the SsangYong New Zealand Motocross Championships Timaru
