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Shaun Fogarty wins N.I. NATIONALS OPENER.
28th February SUZUKI NZ NI CROSS COUNTRY NATIONALS.
Round 1 Waipu, Northland.
A bright sunny day greeted us as we showed up to round 1 of the New Zealand North Island Cross Country Championship Series opener at Waipu Caves Northland about 2 hours North of Auckland.
The team from Northland did an awesome job of setting up a good challenging national track that had the rider’s making positive comments about the ride.
First out on the track were the juniors. Ben Exeter (Woodville) Honda CRF250 led the 90min race from Jason Dickey (Raglan) Kawasaki KX 125 and swapped the led a couple of times with the win finally going to Exeter, 48 seconds ahead of Dickey who did have some mechanical problems during the race, but did post the fastest lap of the day a 10min-10sec to Exeters 10-12.
A good solid ride from Jol Harris (Hamilton) crossing the line for third overall & wasn’t far of the pace with a fastest lap of 10-17. With Exeters overall win, second in the 300cc 4 stroke class went to Brendon Imling (Reporoa) Suzuki RMZ250, who was one of only 7 riders to complete 9 laps, third went to Stacy Smyth (Dannevirke) Kawasaki KXF250, it was his first race on the 250 & he was adapting well to the different power of the 4 stroke.
In the 85cc 2 strokes Anthony Parker (Pukekawa) Kawasaki KX85 took the class win from Charlie Richardson (Pahiatua) KX85 who’s high flying antics over jumps will have photographers happy anywhere he goes.
In the 125cc 2 strokes it was Dickey & Harris with Cambridge regular Chris Foster 1min 22 secs back in third & must have had marks all over his back followed closely by Josh Gatenby (Taupiri) Suzuki RM125 & Ryan Hoskings (Huntly) Husqvarna CR125 all finishing within 12 seconds from Foster.
In the little 4 strokes Andrew Charleston (Hamilton) Honda CRF150 dominated the class from Aden Sheely (Tauranga) Kawasaki KLX140 completing 8 laps to Sheelys 5.
The young Ladies was the second largest class with 7 girls strutting the latest fashions and adding some class to the field, Morgan Edwards (Whangamata) taking the win from local girl Cassidy Neild (Rawene) both riding Husqvarna CR125s separated by 1min 31sec for 16th and 17th overall.
Third went to Phoebe Hill (Auckland) KTM85 followed by Drisana Sheely (Tauranga) Kawasaki KX125 for forth. The newly added teams class for the juniors has been well received, with three riders per team (the same as the seniors) it has brought the pit crews and parents together to encourage the riders and bring a bit more support for everyone riding, the riders now have to think about not letting their team down as well as their own race.
“The Jays” Team consisting of Jason Dickey, Jol Harris, & Josh Gatenby, were 1st up winners followed by “A Thorn Between To Roses” consisting of Chris Foster, Morgan Edwards,& Drisana Sheely, second with “Try Hard” Ryan Hoskings, Brendon Imbling, & Wayne Pool in third.
The Seniors although a poor turnout of numbers the riders that were there were top quality and produced some good racing.
No 1 Adam Reeves (Pahiatua) sporting the new look Yamaha YZ450 looked confident and was wanting to start from where he left off last year.
Micheal Vining (Huntly) & Sam Greenslade (Auckland) both campaigning the new Suzuki RMZ450s along with Shaun Fogarty (Auckland) on the KTM450EXC, it looked like it was going to be a clash of the 450s, but nobody told National No 3 Team Metalman-KMPs Luke Ramsay (Pukekohe) on the little Kawasaki KXF250.
He was setting the pace early on and was showing a clean pair of heals to the 450s. As was Adrian Smith (Mokau) on the little Yamaha YZ125 these two were a thorn in the side of the big boys but Smiths race had a curve ball thrown in when on lap 5 he lost around 12 mins when got a bit close to a fence and had about 3 chain of fence caught in his rear wheel dropping him down the order.
As everyone pitted for fuel Ramsay running an extra capacity fuel tank, as all the team Metalman-KMPs does was able to build on his lead. Vining, Fogarty & Greenslade were not far behind and as the race progressed but it was a surprised Fogarty that caught and passed a tiring Ramsay for the overall during the closing stages of the 3 hour race and secured the overall & class win the 450s reining in Northland.
Vining was second in the open 4 strokes & third overall with Greenslade strapped shoulder-holding in/out for the three hours rounding out class 3 in third and forth overall.
Ramsays 2nd in the overall had him well clear of the next challenger in the 0-300 4 stroke class Karl Roberts (Stratford) Yamaha YZF250, Ramsay completed 9 laps to Roberts 8 laps and with Jim Orton (Tuakau) Suzuki RMZ250 a further 4 mins back those guys need to find more speed to worry Ramsay. Scott Barr Smith (Tauranga) KTM 200 EXC had one of his best races finishing 5th overall to take 1st in class 2 0-200 2 strokes with Gary Almond (Auckland) KTM 150SX 6th overall a full 2 minutes behind Barr Smith making it a KTM one two and with Yamahas Stefan Cook (Tauranga) YZ125 back in third.
In class 1 the open 2 stroke it was welcome back to the north for Sam Speedy (Te Kauwhata) KTM 250EXC taking the class win, after a few seasons racing down south while attending University it was business as usual for Speedy however he was challenged by Mathew Vining (Huntly) Suzuki RM250 finishing only 11 seconds adrift in second, with similar lap times this will be a battle to keep an eye on, while finishing third was Brandon Given (Raglan) KTM300EXC.
Team Metalman-KMPs Jason Moorefield (Te Kauwhata) Kawasaki KXF450 showed all vets and some young guys as well that he’s a force to be reckoned within class 5. He had a pretty lonely race with his nearest rival Craig Robinson (Stratford) Honda CRF250 and Aaron Schreurs (Te Aawamutu) RMZ250 third some 20 mins back in the 35 to 44 yrs Vets class.
The Super vets was one of the more interesting battles of the day with one of the hard men of the sport Andy Galpin (Marton) Yamaha WRF250 riding the Castrol 6 hour in Matata on Saturday then travelling to Waipu through the night to show up blisters and all to win class 6 from Gordon Brooker (Feilding) Honda CRF450 & Chris Smyth (Dannevirke) Kawasaki KXF250 these men were dicing together all day and finished 24th 26th & 27th overall respectfully.
The ladies had two entrants Julie Greenslade (Albany) Gas Gas EC125 and Jan-Maree Pool (Otorohanga) KTM250EXC. Greenslade had the early lead but Pool chased hard all day to take the class lead around ¾ distance Greenslade had an off and pitted but then retired, leaving Pool to the class win completing 7 laps to Greenslades 6.
The oldest class in NZ Cross Country history the teams was won by “Team KTM” consisting of (Fogarty, Gary Almond, Speedy.) second was “Team Wright-Vining-Good, (Vining, Dean Goodwright, Mathew Vining,) in third was “Team BBC” Brandon Given, Conrad Edwards, Boyd Carlson.
Simultaneously in the South Island Round one was being held in Mosgiel no report given all results for N.I.& S.I. on mnz.co.nz & www.silver-bullet.co.nz
Overseas Experience Counts as Rory Mead Dominates Rnd 2.
14th March SUZUKI NZ NI CROSS COUNTRY NATIONALS.
The Juniors were first out and while doing the look lap one of the Young ladies Rachel Parker (Pukekawa) Suzuki RM125 crashed in a wasp’s nest and was stung a few times as were a lot of the other riders.
Sean was quick to react and the track was changed while the medical was attending to the stings. With the race under way 35 juniors hit the first turn, a couple of riders went down causing a bit of a bottle neck but they all seemed to get away ok.
On lap one it was round 1 runner up Jason Dickey (Raglan) Kawasaki KX125 to lead them through the scoring chicane with Chris Foster (Cambridge) Yamaha YZ125 in second & Jordan Wilson (Palmerston North) KTM250EXC who was involved in the first turn pile up, but came from dead last to third in one lap and by the time they came through for lap two he was in front and stayed there to the finish stretching his lead to over a minute to Dickey then to Foster a further 4 minutes back and while doing so set the fastest lap of the day for the juniors with 16min-14sec to Dickeys 16-37.
With Dickey & Foster showing that the 125 2 stroke is still a weapon to be recon with, third in that class went to Joel Harris (Hamilton) Yamaha YZ125 less than a minute behind Foster sealing the deal that maybe the 2 stroke isn’t dead and the myth about the 4 stroke being better is just that a myth.
However with Wilson winning outright on the 250 4 stroke the jury is still out on that, and with Stacy Smyth (Dannevirke) Kawasaki KXF250 “son off long time cross country campaigner Chris Smyth who rides a similar machine” switching from the 2 stroke last year to be leading the class this year has paid off.
To finish 2nd behind a flying Wilson was a good effort and he had a near two minute lead over Joshua Anderson (Taihape) Honda CRF250 in third who’s efforts have been rewarded by travelled to Northland & sits in third place for the series as well while Ben Exeter round ones winner has a wrist injury from a motor cross mishap and was a no show at Oparau.
Anthony Parker (Pukekawa) Kawasaki KX85 had a new opponent to deal with at Oparau, fresh from his 3rd placing at the NZ Junior Supercross Championships was the versatile Scott Sowery (Pahiatua) Kawasaki KX85. Sowery finished 10th overall & had a 6 min lead over Parker who was closely pursued by Max Emett (Tauranga) Suzuki RM125 & Charlie Richardson (Pahiatua) Kawasaki KX85 with only 1 second separated these two riders across the finish line what a battle it was on the last lap.
Andrew Charleston (Hamilton) Honda CRF150 made it two out of two with the class win at Oparau and with 17th overall has shown that the 150 Honda is very competitive against the 85s in cross country.
Once again the young ladies were one of the biggest classes and the class leaders didn’t disappoint. The tables were reversed from round 1, Phoebe Hill (Auckland) KTM 85SX was 47sec ahead of Drisana Sheely (Tauranga) Kawasaki KX125 & Both managed to get by the lap scorers before the chequered flag to get in that valuable 5th lap. Morgan Edwards (Whangamata) Husqvarna CR125 had to settle for third on the day and after winning the class at Waipu these three will be of interest at Raglan.
“The Jays” team of (Dickey, Harris & Gatenby) once again won the teams on the day with “A Thorn Between Two Roses” with (Foster, Edwards, Sheely) stopping the wasps landing on the roses for second and third was “Team Latecomers” (Anderson, Charleston, Sarah Elwin) grabbing the last medals of the day.
With the seniors lined up & set to go Sean showed them the start which meant they had to ride through the river to get onto the track, Rory Mead (Porirua) Yamaha YZ250 hit the river first with a blinder of a start followed by the rest of the field in a spectacular fashion with bikes & water going everywhere.
One rider to go for an early swim was Lance O’Dea (Napier) Suzuki RM125, he went over the bars in spectacular fashion exiting the river and was narrowly missed by the passing riders pouring through the river. With Mead out in front he settled into a good fast pace & wasn’t challenged all day, to led from start to finish.
Sam Greenslade (Auckland) Suzuki RMZ250 had a consistant ride to finish 2nd overall, however he was chased hard by Luke Ramsay (Pukekohe) Kawasaki KXF250 who crossed the line only a couple of seconds later for third overall. He also rode within his limits around the tricky course, which had to demand your full attention for the entire three hours.
John O’Dea (Napier), Cam Smith (Marton) & Dean Goodwright (Waiuku) all on Suzuki RMX450s made it a clean sweep of the podium for Suzuki in the open 4 stroke class showing their Enduro skills that paid off as they put in a good solid ride for 4th, 5th & 6th overall respectfully. Mathew Vining (Huntly) Suzuki RM250 was only 1 second behind Goodwright in 7th overall but managed to get an extra lap in on Boyd Carlson (Tuakau) also on a Suzuki RM250 to finish 2nd & 3rd in class 1 behind the overall & class winner Mead.
Some of the big uphills must have taken its toll on the small bore 2 strokes as they all didn’t get that 6th lap in, Scott Barr Smith (Tauranga) KTM 200 EXC was only 2mins adrift from that mark but still did enough for the class win. Andrew Gaddes (Ohaupo) Suzuki RM125 was a further 10mins back & Stefan Cook (Hamilton) Yamaha YZ125 came in third to round off class 2.
With Greenslade & Ramsay only 2 seconds apart at the finish, third place in the 0-300cc 4-stroke class went to Karl Roberts (Stratford) Yamaha YZF250. He was some 9 mins off the leaders but still managed a credible 8th overall, 5 seconds ahead of 35-44yrs Veteran class leader Jason Moorefield (Te Kauwhata) Kawasaki KXF450. Moorefield has been untroubled so far this year but even with the appearance last years number 53 of Hugh Lintott (Wellington) Honda CRF450 he still managed to pull a sizable gap on Lintott and Barry Wilson (Palmerston North) Husaburg FE450.
Last years 45yrs plus super vets class winner Mark Fuller (Taupiri) KTM200EXC was wanting to start where he left off last year but Andy Galpin (Marton) Yamaha YZF250 had a superb ride to finish 7 mins ahead of Fuller. “I had a good ride & I really liked that track, those conditions suited me” said a humble Galpin after the race.
Fuller also had Craig Evans (Hamilton) KTM 300EXC not to far behind only 3 mins back for third.
In the Ladies class Jan Marie Pool (Otorohanga) KTM 250 EXC fresh from her win at Waipu knew she had her work cut out for her when Letitia Alabaster (Raetihi) Kawasaki KXF250 last year’s ladies class winner lined up for the three-hour race. Alabaster showed she’s all class and pulled 7 minutes clear of Pool by race end, to finish 42nd overall. Sarah Fox (Te Awamutu) KTM144SX pulled the pin on the race after lap 3 feeling crook with stomach cramps but did enough for third place.
With the O’Dea brothers and Sam Swanson (Waipukurau) RMX450 teaming up to create team Central Suzuki they at a good day to finish in third place in the teams class. Second was another Suzuki team consisting of Greenslade, Smith, & Ruys Henry. But with Kevin Hermansen (Waipukurau) Kawasaki KXF250 back from injury & Ramsay & Moorefield riding so well defending team KMP Metalman was always going to be hard to beat, taking their first win of the season.
Adrian Smith Wins 3 Hour On A YZ144.
27th March SUZUKI NZ NI CROSS COUNTRY NATIONALS.
Round 3 Raglan.
The venue used for round three was the same as last year with a few extra paddocks thrown in for the seniors. Grant Dickey of the Raglan motorcycle club runs an awesome event and his layout for the pits and scoring are second to none. He also lay down some firm ground rules at riders briefing about pit etiquette & track cutting, suggesting if you do so you will be going home.
With everyone’s ear chewed off the juniors made their way to the start for the look lap & race start.
Last years National number 3 Jordan Wilson (Palmerston North) KTM 250EXC took the early lead and was chased hard for the entire race by Jason Dickey (Raglan) Kawasaki KX125 who was once again second for the day less than a minute behind Wilson. Third overall was Ryan Hoskings (Huntly) Husqvarna CR125 who also had a battled with Mathew Quirke (Raglan) KTM150SX with only two seconds separating them after 1 ½ hours of racing for third & forth overall.
That was the first three in the 86cc to 200cc 2-stroke class right there; Wilson was a clear winner in the 231cc to 300cc 4-stroke class with second & third going to Bendon Imlig (Reporoa) Suzuki RMZ250 & Joshua Anderson (Taihape) Honda CRF250.
In the 85cc 2 stroke it was a Kawasaki clean sweep with Scott Sowery (Pahiatua) unchallenged for a 12 minute lead over Anthony Parker (Pukekawa) and Charlie Richardson (Eketahuna) all on KX85s.
Andrew Charleston (Hamilton) Honda CRF150 made it three out of three with the class win at Raglan and creditable 18th overall. Pheobe Hill (Auckland) KTM 85SX has stamped her authority on the young ladies class now with back-to-back wins over Drisana Sheely (Tauranga) Kawasaki KZ125, Racheal Parker (Pukekawa) Suzuki RM125 & Morgan Edwards (Whangamata) CR125 she has a 8 point lead in the series with two to go and with the worst round to be dropped its looking good for Hill to take the North Island young ladies title.
The Jays were once again team winners consisting of Dickey,Harris, Gatenby, they have a 16 point lead over the Try Hards of Hosking,Imlig & Pool who were second & A thorn between two roses, Foster, Edwards & Sheely.
With no look lap and were the seniors were away free from any start incident and the early leader was Rory Mead (Yamaha) YZ250, he was setting a furious pace out front and was unmatched by any of the chasing pack.
But it all turned sour for Mead on lap 5 running out of fuel, leaving him frustrated as his YZ had a large capacity fuel tank so there was a mix up with pit strategy which he needs to sort out.
The race then took on a new look with a determined Adrian Smith (Mokau) Yamaha YZ144 showing that the small 2 stroke ridden like a man possessed can foot it with the 450s and he create a minute lead by race end over Micheal Vining (Huntly) Suzuki RM450 second and Shaun Foggarty (Auckland) KTM450EXC third.
Smith’s ability to get the 144 to the top of the podium in a three hour Championship was truly a mammoth effort and hasn’t been achieved for quite some time, this all goes well for the young likable lad who will unfortunately miss round four because he will competing in the Austrailian 4 day Enduro mid April as will Mead.
Luke Ramsay (Pukekohe) Kawasaki KXF250 was only less than 30 seconds back from Foggarty for forth overall to win class 4 but had a good buffer on 2nd place Greg Ngeru (New Plymouth) Honda CRF250 who had one of his best rides for ten overall.
Heading of Sam Greenslade who had a problem with his goggle lens coming out losing a bit of time finding replacements but still managed to work his way back to third and 15th overall.
Meads misfortune was Brandon Givens (Raglan) KTM 300EXC gain winning class 1 the open class 2 strokes from Sam Speedy (Te Kauwhata) KTM250EXC & Simon Lansdaal (Morrinsville) Kawasaki KX250.
In the small-bore 2 strokes Gary Almond (Auckland) KTM 150SX & Scott Barr Smith (Tauranga) KTM 200EXC had to take a back seat to a flying Adrian Smith but both were inside the top ten with a creditable 6th & 9th overall respectfully.
Vinings ever improving form landed him top spot in class 3 just ahead of Foggarty and the high flying John O’Dea (Napier) RMZ450 who seemed to get the most air of all riders on the jump in the paddock before the lap scoring chicane. Veteran 35yrs to 44yrs rider Jason Moorefield (Te Kauwhata) Kawasaki KXF450 has a tight grip on class 5 once again pushing some of the younger riders up front finishing 7th overall, Barry Wilson (Palmerston North) Husaburg FE450 rode consistently for second while Stu Sowry (Pahiatua) Kawasaki KXF250 held out brother Bryce Sowry (Pahiatua) KLX450 for third by a mere 11 seconds.
In the 45yrs plus veterans hard man Andy Galpin (Marton) Yamaha YZ250 made a flying visit to the pits early on with information of a fallen rider only about a couple of ks from the start, he would get his time back from lap one that had little affect on his race time as he stopped for a 15 minute smoko break on lap 4, but still keeps the series lead.
Mark Fuller (Taupiri) KTM200EXC 16th overall had one of his better races finishing ahead of Chris Smyth (Dannevirke) Kawasaki KXF250 and Gordon Brooker (Feilding) Honda CRF450 for the class 6 win.
The ladies class has an interesting battle looming with Letitia Alabaster (Raetihi) Kawasaki KXF250 scoring an extra lap on Jan Marie Pool (Otorohanga) KTM 250EXC two take the win at Raglan, Julie Greenslade (Albany) Gas Gas EC125 had a solid ride for third giving up her goggles to brother Sam while his were repaired.
In the teams class it was Team KTM consisting of Foggarty, Almond & Speedy taking the win from KMP Metalman Ramsay, Moorefield & Hermansen. In third place was Brandon Given, Conrad Edwards & Boyd Carlson for Team BBC.
