Impressive Performances at Mini Nationals

Impressive Performances at Mini Nationals

NOVEMBER 4, 2013: The future of New Zealand motocross is in good hands.

That’s likely to be the verdict at the conclusion of another successful KTM-sponsored New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships near Auckland at the weekend.

The North Harbour Mini Motocross Club hosted the two-day event on a challenging 1.9 kilometre circuit at Waitoki, close to Silverdale and Dairy Flat, where dominant performances by a handful of individuals suggest that, in the next decade or so, these young riders could be the next wave of riders to head off-shore in pursuit of fame and fortune in Australia, the United States and Europe.

The riders at the weekend were all very young and on very small bikes – all aged between four and 11 years and riding bikes with engine capacities anywhere between 50cc and 112cc – but this is the nursery ground for the next batch of New Zealand motocross world championship contenders.

In the eldest division, it was almost a one-rider show with Waikato’s Brodie Connolly stamping his authority with a string of five wins over the two days.

Unbeaten at the Waitoki circuit all weekend, Walton’s Connolly led home Nelson’s Luca Palmer-Donaldson, Otorohanga’s Carlin Hedley and Hamilton’s Dylan Kenny to easily collect the title for 2013.

It was a different story in the 7-8 years’ 65cc class where Oparau’s Hunter Scott collected the most wins, but, unfortunately he had to settle for runner-up spot overall behind the consistent riding of Cambridge’s Jared Hannon.

Scott won three of his five races in this class, but was runner-up in another and a fifth placing in the first race of the weekend proved most costly. Hannon finished 2-1-2-2-3 to take the title by just a single point from Scott.

Hamilton’s Nick Westgate dominated the 6-8 years’ 50cc class, winning three out of the five races in this division and finishing the championship five points clear of his nearest rivals, Invercargill’s Jack Symon and Palmerston North rider James Day.

Waitoki’s Cole Davies finished top of the 4-7 years’ 50cc intro class, ending the weekend 15 points clear of Christchurch rider Kobe Thoms, with Takapuna’s Lachlan Bourn another 18 points further back in third place overall.

Tauranga’s Shelby Catley took the 7-11 trail bike crown for 2013, finishing ahead of Warkworth’s Quinn Ware and Dairy Flat’s Patrick Lunt.

In the youngest group, the 4-5 years’ 500cc and trail bike category, the racing was headed by Awamutu’s Thierry Brown, Te Awamutu’s Tommy McBeth, Christchurch’s Kase Thoms, Hamilton’s Joshua Waller and Drury’s Jan Alberts.

ENDS

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