School MX Season Underway

Rotorua Results

maddix park mx

Secondary School  MX

The school MX season is now underway. Over 260 riders converged on Rotorua for the Western Heights High School Invitational Moto X meet on 30th March 2012.  Twenty five schools in total from as far north as Kerikeri and as far south as Wellington took part in the competition.  The weather was fine and the track had been ripped so was loose on top and in really mint condition.

“The track was good, the competition fast and it was fun” say Nick Heyblom and Matt Hobbis (pictured at left) who were both there, riding for the Tauranga Boys’ College.  It was their first time in 3 years with no body or bike breakages. Others were not so lucky. Among the bad luck stories figure Connor Chew wearing new boots who flat landed a jump, broke his right tibia and fibula in practice and required surgery over the weekend plus Todd Van De Laar who injured his shoulder in race 2.  To add to the list, Evan Hawkless took a fall whilst challenging for 2nd place in his first race and broke his thumb.

Teacher/coach Tony New reports that Tauranga Boys’ College took along a 26 strong team.  Their best placed rider was Cameron Smyth with 2nd in the Novice 85cc class, Shayden Candy placed 3rd in that class in what was his first race, so a big well done for him. Max Emett placed 4th in the 15-18 years 125cc class, Simon Atkinson 8th in the 15-16 years 85-150cc and Seb Still 8th in the 13-14 years 125/250F class rounded out the list of top finishers.  Seb had been heading for a top 5 finish but was knocked off his bike in the last race which pulled him down a few places.

However, overall, a great day was had by all involved and the TBC team is looking forward to the next round on the 4th of May.

Jovhann Phillips, riding for Papamoa, appears to have beaten his Rotorua bogies. According to onlookers, he had a “blinder” and “rode out of his skin” in the 125cc 13-14 years.  His lap times would have made him competitive even in the older age groups but he had to be content with three second places behind Cameron Forlong.  However, he is really pleased with his first decent results after a problem plagued 2011.

Cameron Forlong was one of the standout riders of the day winning both the 14-16 85cc and the 12-14 125/250 and helping his team, Te Puke High School to 2nd place on the teams’ points table. “Riding in the 125 class and being able to chase down and pass the bigger more powerful bikes was really fun”, says Cameron.  By lap 2 or 3 he had taken the lead and there he stayed – apart from one holeshot , of course, when he grabbed the lead and kept it.

Other results we’ve noted include: Thomas Forlong finished 10th in the 13 years 85cc/150cc followed by Fraser Day 21st, Reece Garrett 22nd, Jonno Barnes 24th and Mitchell Bond 25th.  "The track in the morning was nicely groomed with not too much dust", says Reece, "but it got rutted up and dusty at the end. I got taken out by another TBC rider but I worked my way up and finished mid pack.  There was a big turnout in our class".

In the 14-16 85cc/150cc class, Callum Ranger finished 14thbut was handicapped by a DNF in the last race.

The 15-18 yrs 125cc was a very competitive class with over 40 entries. Matt Kenyon was a lone “privateer” flying the flag for Otumoetai College and pleased with his 3rd place. Matt reports that practice went will with Matt having the second fastest lap time which turned out to be the fourth fastest lap time of the day. First race was a peg draw and Matt had number 37, not to flash and then the concert start gates, will have to work on them. The first start was terrible with Matt rounding the first corner in about 30th place, but  was able to  caved up most of the field in two laps and finished in third place. The second race was a slightly better start, but only just, so still had to work for another third place. The third race was a much better start and settled into third place after a couple of corners finishing in third giving him third place for the day.

Garth Amrein from Katikati College was second in the same race and Max Emett was 4th. Leo van Lierop was 11th, Jackson Holmes 18th, Cole Atkinson 27th, Reuben Steens 30th, Jamie Nijhuis 33rd.  Jamie didn't have a fortunate day. In the first race he was midpack when he got pushed over a berm and got stuck in a ditch. so finished 36th.  In the second race he fell off twice but in the third, he took it easy and had his best result of the day, 20th.

In the 15-18 250cc Class, George Dimec finished  15th overall, Reed Van der Laar 21st and Rhys Trueman 28th

Daniel Tingey was 24th in the Novice 125/250cc while Cole Van de Laar and Trent Tingey  were 25th and 28th respectively in the Novice 85cc.

 

Chelsea Trueman from Tauranga Girls’ College was 5th in the Women’s class.

Apologies if we have missed anyone.

Click here for full results.

 
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