Prize Giving Day for Taupo
Taupo's Final Round
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Sunday was the last chance for riders to make their mark and make the Taupo Winter Series podium. There was a cutting wind and the mountain was hidden but, apart from a couple of showers, the rain stayed way so the track conditions were ideal.
Jacob Hunt was the 6-8 Years MX 50cc Division 2 winner of the day with two 1sts and a 2nd. However, a blown clutch in Round 3 and illness in Round 4, deprived him of the top spot overall in the series. Jacob was delighted, however, with his second place trophy in the form of a rear wheel. After the Mini Nationals, Jacob will be changing bikes and moving up to compete in the 9-11 Years 65cc class.
Chris Merriman (3/5/4) gunned his way through to 3rd on the day and 4th position for the series in the A grade 9-11 65cc class. Luck wasn’t with him all the way, however. Stalled bikes – his own and others in front of him- meant he started last in a couple of races, which means working that little bit harder. Chris is definitely improving and thinking more about his lines and passing manoeuvres.
In the same class, Harrison Forrester-Moore (16/7/9) was 10th on the day and Trent Duggan (9,12,11), 11th on the day and 8th overall. Trent says his day was “not perfect”. “I had a big crash in the practice and bent the handlebars but dad fixed them up for me.” “My goal was to get in the top 10 this year and I made 8th so I’m pretty happy”, he adds. “Next year I’m aiming for top 5.”
This was Xavier Anderson’s first year in the 65cc class and he had been hoping for a top 10 finish also. Unfortunately, with one round missed because of a broken bike and a hurt shoulder from a pretty heavy crash landing in the last round, Xavier finished 16th(13/16/16) on the day and 13th overall. His top 10 goal has rolled over to next year.
The 85cc 8-10 Years saw Te Puke rider Jordan Milsom clean sweep his class allowing Jordan to finish 3rd in the series overall, a great finish considering he missed a round. It was also a great finish to his time in the 8-10 years. Jordan will be doing the Taupo Extravaganza and Summercross but next season will be moving up an age group.
Second on the day and 2nd over the series was Jack McClymont (2/2/3) who rode consistently throughout the series. Josh McClymont (10/10/10) came in 10th and 9th overall. It was huge and exciting challenge for Josh, riding his 65 in the 85ss class. He loves the big track and the jumps and will be doing it again on his 65cc in 2012. Jontae Carroll was 7th in the 7-8 Years MX 65cc.
Local riders were very successful in the 125cc classes. Aaron Wiltshier (pictured above) rode exceptionally well on the day finishing 2/2/1 and thus securing his first place for the series in the 12-14 years. “It was all good,” says Aaron, “but next year I’m moving up to the 15-16 years group. It will be a new challenge.”
Second on the day was Matt Kenyon (3,3,2) who salvaged a 5th place overall in spite of losing a round through injury. In 8th place was Evan Hawkless. Evan had been aiming for a top 10 place in the series and the round 6 result meant he did just that and come home with a trophy for 9th.
Garth Amrein (Katikati) topped the 15-16 125cc with (1/1/2 results) and took home the winner’s trophy. Cam McCaskie (4/3/3) was 3rd both on the day and overall and “happy as hell” with his result. Consistency does pay dividends.
Most club series are in their final stages so the next major focus for these young riders is the Taupo Extravaganza programmed for Labour Weekend followed, in December, by the Whakatane Summercross.
