    |
 |
|
|
|
MARCH 20, 2007: He’s only 15 but Wellington’s Jake Whitaker says he is ready to take on the world.
The young trials riding star has been setting the sport alight in New Zealand in recent months and is now being tipped for greater glory as international fame and fortune beckons.
Whitaker beat national champion Warren Laugesen (Levin) at the opening round of the North Island Trials Championship series a fortnight ago, the first time he’s done that in his fledgling career, and that has given him fresh impetus that his Kiwi rivals fear may propel him well out of their league.
He also won the expert class at both rounds one and two of the South Island Trials Championships near Christchurch at the weekend.
Whitaker is now saving furiously for his first big foray onto the world trials scene and his parents, Michelle and Patrick, are organising a fundraiser dinner and show to help raise the $30,000 he’ll need for his initial trip “to dip his toes in the international waters”, starting July.
“The plane flights are booked, it’s just a matter of paying for everything now,” said Michelle Whitaker.
“We’re planning the dinner and show at the Rosewood Estate in Wainuiomata at the end of April, the dinner on Saturday, April 28, and the demonstration display by Jake the following day. There will be trade stalls and quad bike rides and other entertainment too,” she said.
Whitaker had intended to contest the Italian round of the World Youth Trials Championships but he’s too young, with the minimum age being 16.
Whitaker turns 16 on July 5 and then immediately heads overseas -- with sometimes rival, friend, mentor and minder Laugesen as manager – in July. He’ll compete at the Polish, Czech Republic and English rounds of the World Junior Trials Championships.
“Not able to ride every event, he’ll have no chance of winning a world title but it would be good to show his face and get the experience,” said Michelle Whitaker.
“If he makes an impression and perhaps interests a few sponsors, he’ll go back and do the whole series in 2008. It’s likely to cost about $100,000 for him to do the whole series in 2008.”
For this season’s abbreviated campaign, he’ll have assistance from Laugesen and then fellow top New Zealand rider Luke March (Hawke’s Bay), the men each spending four-week stints with Whitaker.
“I’m really excited but a bit nervous too,” said Jake Whitaker. “I went to England as a spectator, at Hawkstone Park, last season and I reckon I could get top five among the world’s youth riders.
“I even think the sections there looked a bit easier that what I ride here in New Zealand but it’s cut-throat and any little slip-up is very costly.
“My dream is to be world champion. Tauranga’s Stefan Merriman (now a many-times world enduro champion) won the world youth trials title when he was about my age and I reckon I can do it too.”
