    |
 |
|
|
|
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS GO DOWN TO THE WIRE
MAY 3, 2006: Marton's Cam Smith is poised to win but can take nothing for granted as he lines up for the fourth and final round of the New Zealand Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship series near Blenheim on Saturday.
Although Smith now has a good lead in the KTM and Motorex-sponsored series, he knows he can't afford to make a mistake with defending champion Brad Thomas, from Motueka, Adrian Smith (Thames) and Heath Howlett (Ngaruawahia) close behind.
But it would take a miracle now for Adrian Smith (Honda), Thomas (Suzuki) or Howlett (Yamaha), or disaster for Suzuki's Cam Smith, at Saturday's series finale to change the balance of power.
Cam Smith perhaps needs do nothing more than hold on tight to his big Suzuki RMZ450 and the title will be his on Saturday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Rangitikei sheep farmer has a six-point advantage over Adrian Smith for outright honours, with Thomas sitting third, five points further back, and Howlett just one point behind him.
After scoring an unaccustomed seventh at the opening round, Thomas was philosophical about his chances of retaining the overall title.
“I don't think anyone can catch Cam now,” he admitted. “But it's down to the wire between me and Adrian (Smith) for the bike class win.”
The way the points calculations work out, with riders able to drop their worst score from their bike class points tally, the race is very much alive between Adrian Smith and Thomas over whom will take the honours in the over-200cc two-stroke class. Whomever wins the final round will likely take the main prize.
Meanwhile, Norsewood’s Kevin Hermansen (Kawasaki) is favoured to wrap up the under-300cc four-stroke class and fellow Team Green rider Scott Bregman (Kawasaki KX125) is poised to clinch the under-200cc two-stroke class.
The series has been a real mixed bag so far with high winds, blinding dust and treacherous mud influencing the racing at the Pahiatua, Mosgiel and Huntly rounds respectively. And, even if weather plays no part on Saturday, the course near Blenheim will still test every rider to the limit.
A 23-kilometre circuit greets the riders on Saturday, covering very diverse terrain, from forest firebreaks to rolling farmland, gravel to clay, several river fords, a section of felled pine forest (with stumps and broken branches to trip the unwary) and a turnip paddock thrown in just to keep things interesting.
Hosted by the Marlborough Motorcycle Club, the race venue is seven kilometres west of the Saint Arnaud township, on State Highway 63, near Lake Rotoiti.
