Stratford's Camo Keegan (Honda TRX450R), successful in defending his premier grade title at the weekend. Photo by Andy
McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
The cream of the crop descended on Timaru at the weekend for the 2020 edition of the New Zealand ATV championships and
they dealt up some of the closest four-wheel quad bike racing ever seen in this country.
The Duckmanton AG-sponsored ATV nationals were staged at the popular Backflips Dirt Farm ATV facility at Pleasant Point,
on the outskirts of Timaru, and this proved an ideal venue over Labour Weekend for what turned out to be true
edge-of-the-seat racing.
Stratford's Camo Keegan did manage to defend his title in the premier grade – stretching his win record to six national
ATV titles – but he was never able to relax with his younger brother Scott Keegan, the national ATV champion in 2015,
multi-time former national ATV champion Ian Ffitch, from Amberley, and Christchurch's Craig Cox keeping him honest
throughout.
However, the closest racing came in the 450cc Production class with Dunedin's Devan Whitelock and Christchurch's Taylor
Graham locked together on identical points after the first day and the battle between them went right down to the final
race of the weekend, Whitleock eventually taking the title by just four points.
Christchurch's George Doig was also close enough to fancy his title chances in this class, although he had to settle for
third overall.
Graham's father, Greg Graham, won the veterans' class, finishing ahead of Gisborne's Ian Newman and Blenheim's Gary
Doig.
"The racing was brilliant and we were spoiled with the weather too," said Motorcycling New Zealand ATV commissioner
Dennis Cox.
"It was hot and dry on Saturday, but became overcast Sunday and that meant we had ideal conditions.
"It was a bit of a shame that it was a battle of attrition in the premier grade and we ended up with just four
competitors on Sunday, but what this class lacked in numbers was certainly made up for with talent. They were really
mixing it up.
"It was a pity too that Ian Ffitch could not sign off his career with another title win. He blew a shock and then
crashed, so it wasn't to be. I know he had been training hard and it was definitely not the swansong he'd been hoping
for."
Other class winners at the weekend were Christchurch's Bailey Graham (250cc Production); Weedon's Fraser van Herpt
(125cc Production); Stratford's Nicola Reid (Women's class); Christchurch's Max Le Compte (Clubmans) and Springston's
Conner Brocherie (Minis).
Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com