Back in the Racing Game

Tauranga Round 1

maddix park mx

Sunday the 4th October was round 1 of the Tauranga Motorcycle Club’s series.

Yes, thanks to serious working bees, generous sponsors and $40,000 plus in grants, the trophies have finally been dusted off and the club is back in the racing game after a break of over 5 years.  Numbers may have been low in some classes but enthusiasm was definitely not lacking as riders of all ages negotiated the berms, the tabletops, the doubles and the up-hills on both the main and the mini tracks. The starts proved really important especially for riders with the new challenge of going from the big wide to a real narrow corner. 

The series runs on the first Sunday of each month from now through to March 6th 2016 (but with January excluded) so riders were keen to get their first points on the board.

Brodie Connelly demonstrated the skills that have made him a national champion, jumping into a variety of classes for a blast, but also providing some scary landing footage for you-tube.

Chris Merriman had an enjoyable day in the 125 class with Dylan Tredinnick on his heels and “it was good not having to get up early to get here” says Chris.

Brad Cameron led the racing in the older 125 age group followed by Connor Lucas and Brad Jeffrey. “The track was a bit slippery but got better as the day went on,” according to Brad.  “I had an awesome day.  I did the MX2 as well.  In the first two races I got bad starts so had to work through everyone. The third start was heaps better and I got 8th”.  Brad Jeffrey was pleased with the track and how well the event was run. Kydd Catley was another who had an awesome day.

Josh Tredinnick had competition in the 250cc class from fellow locals Cameron Smyth, Jesse Bussas, Josh Leopold and Trent Cameron but Sam Middleton from Whakatane slotted himself into third place.  Josh Tredinnick won 2 of his races but missed out on race two when a flat tyre forced him to ride slowly. Josh Leopold thought the track was sick and had great fun. “Jesse took me out, broke my fork guards and left tyre marks on my bike but it was real funny and, of course, we’re still friends”, he reports.

Sam Meredith was fair zapping around the track in the 11-12 years 85cc class to take top honours ahead of Alex Fraser-Brown. Sam Cooper also riding noticeably well and trading places with Kyan Loomans who pipped him for third, leaving Sean Callinan to take 5th place.  Madoc Dixon seems to have caught the bad habit of leaving events in an ambulance.  This time, he fell off in the second race when his back wheel clicked out over the tabletop. Fortunately, nothing serious so he’ll be ready to fire at the next club round on November 1st. This class was one of the larger classes so Cassius Houston, Jack McLean, AJ Steiner, Logan Simmonds, Donovan Ward and Tristan Hall, who were outside the top 5, will have plenty to set the sights on in November.

In the 8-10  years class, Davi Jordan won all 3 races with Luke Fraser-Brown battling with and edging out Quinn Loomans for second.

Kristian Crane won the Pro 65 class and beat some of the 85s in passing.  He’s really on form at present and on Sunday everything just clicked. Wade Meredith rode with passion and came home 2nd followed by Max Blake-Palmer from Rotorua. 

Tauranga is one of the few clubs continuing a Junior Girls class and Shelby Catley wants more girls to front up for more competition in the next rounds. She rode in with the boys this round and managed to beat a few.  Rochelle Leopold was just there as a spectator this time but thought it was a well put together day.

Seb Still was one of several riders without transponders who were not racing for points..  It was his first time ride on the new track and he throroughly enjoyed it.

Robby Stewart, Jamie Hei and Glyn Davis gained points in the Vets class.

The minis had a great day and there was some really close mini action. Travis Crane had 3 second places behind fellow local Arama Te Whetu.  Shay Cruise had an awesomely fun day too.

The mini results will be on the Tauranga website  shortly.

For full main track results go to Mylaps.

Click links for:  Main track pics from the last couple of races and Mini track pics from Debbie Simmonds

 
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