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OCTOBER 24, 2007: If dad can race his Yamaha at the weekend, there’s surely no reason why little Daniel shouldn’t tag along too.
With off-road motorcycle racing such a family-orientated affair these days, it’s a simple thing for dad to throw five-year-old Daniel’s Yamaha Pee Wee 50 on the trailer too.
Jon was competing in the final round of the Yamaha-sponsored Top Trail Rider Enduro Series near Tokoroa recently and the whole family, including his wife and other son, three-year-old Jacob, went along for the ride too.
“I have been riding since I was 14,” said Jon, of Waitemata. “And that first bike was a Yamaha too. I guess I caught the bug. Now I’m riding a Yamaha WR250 enduro bike, the same one I raced at the International six days Enduro near Taupo last November. I think I finished 300th or 400th … I didn’t really look at the results,” he laughed.
The 42-year-old was locked in a battle for runner-up spot in the TTR series and, after a good day in the forest course near Tokoroa, he managed to snatch away the No.2 spot in the Intermediate Veterans’ over-40 class. He was consistently among the top four throughout the five-round series.
“I stalled the bike a couple of times but, luckily, I have an electric start on the WR and I was soon on my way again.”
The TTR series is aimed at introducing novice riders to the sport of enduro racing, as well as encouraging former racers to come back out of retirement. The series also offers a challenge for the country’s elite riders and even attracted some of the top names in the sport, including former national champion Steven Bird (Yamaha YZ250).
Next year’s TTR series will include a full round of races for junior riders (aged 12 and above) with events at Oparau, Kapiti, Whangamata, Hukerenui, Pahiatua, Taupo, Martinborough, Santoft, Gwavas and Woodhill.
There will be six TTR Northern series events (with five to count for points) and four TTR Central events.
