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TEAM ONLINE MOTORCYCLES RACE REPORT – 1
Bike - GasGas EC 125
Events - Dirt Guide Cross country
Power Adventures two man cross country
MITCHELL NIELD -
Dirt Guide 2 hour Cross Country
It was to be a busy weekend for the TOM team with two different events planned. First up was the first round of the Dirt Guide x-country series This was just south of Tokoroa and with good weather and an awesome turnout it was set to be epic event.
With my bike away on business with Husky NZ, I was to race test the Kiwirider long term Husaberg 570. And with no time to get a ride in first I went to the start line blind with no idea of what to expect.
The start was a mess and it was all on in the first corner, getting buried in the pack and having to try and push through on the first lap the 570 had good straight line speed and I managed to make a few passes happen on the more open sections.
By the end of lap one I settled into 5th place and tried to ride smooth. After a few laps I got into a battle with Reece Burgess and he got by while I was fueling at the half way mark.
By the last lap I was in a tooth and nail fight with Phil Singleton which went back and forth for the last lap but I managed to make it work in the faster section of track near the finish and ended up 6th over all.
Round two is a bit further south in the same forest with more flowing trails I look forward to getting the Husky 300 out and seeing if I can get off the line better.
Power Adventure 3 hour 2 man Cross Country
Well, after the dirt guide finished we drove north, and stayed with some friends (thanks Jammo) we arrived at the Power Adventures two man in Maramarua forest a tad late. The plan was to both ride the GasGas 125 and as Damon knew the bike he would start. While he got sorted I spun the spanners over the bike and made a few tweaks to the suspenders.
After the first lap Damon slid into the pits in 2nd spot behind the team of Chris and Karl power and I leapt on the little 125 to get my first taste of the GasGas. It wasn’t long before I was screaming around the forest having a great time on the little 2-stroke trying to reel in Chris then it was back into the pits and hand the bike off to Damon and time for a rest .
The next few hours was much the same trying to pump out quick laps without hitting the ground.
At the end of the 3 hour race we finished in a comfortable 2nd place and the little GasGas ran like a dream. Even though the track had a few too many gravel sections it was still a blast to ride a 125 again.
DAMON NIELD -
Dirt Guide 2 hour Cross Country
My sponsors asked if I wanted to race the GasGas EC125 for the weekend so we picked it up Friday night and headed down to Tokoroa, staying at Sean and Adeles (thanks for that), to be well rested for the first round of the Dirt Guide Cross country series.
Saturday morning I set the bars and levers how I like them and rode up to the start and back to get a feel of it. That’s all the time I had so I then lined up on the start. I managed to pull the holeshot but it didn’t take long until I got some bad arm pump while still trying to get used to the bike.
By the end of lap one I was sitting in 3rd. I stayed in 3rd till end of lap 3 when I pitted and Chris power slipped past. I couldn’t catch him back, but held onto 4th to the end of the race, also winning my class.
I was very impressed with the bike and how punchy the bottom end was for a 125 and was really looking forward to the Two Man on Sunday.
Power Adventures 3 hour 2 man Cross Country
We turned up a bit late Sunday morning after a good night sleep (thanks Jammo). Mitchell and I were both going to the ride the 125 and as I knew the bike from the day before we decided I would start. So while I got geared up to start Mitchell fixed the flat tyre and tweaked the suspension.
I got another good start and was soon trying to keep Karl insight, but he pulled a bit of a gap by laps end. It was then over to Mitchell to try and pull some time back on Chris which he managed to do by race end. We easily held 2nd place with the Powers a few minutes in front.
Once again, the GasGas proved it had the punch to do the business, and it was great to race a different bike for a change.
A bit thanks to everyone that helped me out.
TOM RACING WOULD LIKE TO THANK SPONSORS -
Team Online Motorcycles
Kiwi Rider
GasGas NZ
Husqvarna NZ
Arai Helmets
SBS brake pads
Troy Lee Designs gear
Axo Boots
Ariete goggles
Michelin tyres
