Fun on Four Fronts
Maddix - Bel Ray - Steiner's - ATVs
The last weekend in November was a hot and dusty one wherever you were riding but having fun was the operative word on all fronts.
Maddix Park After Dark:
A very famous in Tauranga clown was a surprise addition to
the fun twilight evening at Maddix Park. His magic tricks provided
entertainment before the Spooky Treasure Hunt and the night riding began. The
treasure hunters returned with a booty of eyeballs, spiders, knucklebones and
possum fur and the half a dozen or so riders who went out on the trail with
helmet lights found it a totally different experience from a daylight ride. “Two
km is a lot further in the dark” said one. Andrew Hardisty from Moto City coached
a keen little band of minis (see photo below) but, unfortunately, the planned fun races were
cancelled because of the very windy and dusty conditions. Many thanks to all those who assisted with the
evening and to all those who came along.
Bel Ray Round 2:
Cameron Forlong had another successful weekend taking 1st place in the Junior 14-16 Years class. Here’s what he had to say about the race.
“Sunday was the 2nd round of the Belray cross country series in Huntly. There had been no rain for ages so the track was hard, dry and very dusty. I rode the same 14-16 85cc class that I won the last round. There was a split start with the junior 125-250 getting approx 3 minutes lead and when the dust had cleared enough to see, all the 85cc bikes and the woman got the second shotgun start. It is a dead engine, hands on head, wait for the gun start. I start in neutral and others start in gear which is faster providing the bike fires on the first kick. The guy beside me had to kick it 3 times and was about 25 around the first corner, I was 4th . I pushed hard right from the start and about half a km later had the lead with clear air for a while .At the end of the first lap I had caught and passed about 8 of the 125-250 start and just kept working . I pitted for fuel at the end of lap 3 which went well with dad topping up the tank ,I was drinking PowerAde out of a camelback so didn’t need anything else .With lap times in the mid 15 minutes I completed 6 laps with a big lead over 2nd place and got up to 13th overall . I stayed on the bike all day and really enjoyed the tough conditions”.
Luke Henry found the track very dusty and a little rough (what place isn’t at the moment?) but enjoyed the day and was pleased with his 5th place in the Expert Unders Class. Other local riders competing included Paul Ritchie (5th Expert Overs), Andrew Schuit (5th Vets 45-49), Shannon McGovern (11th Clubmans All In) and Jessie Waterhouse (3rd Ladies All In).
The third and final round will be held on Saturday 14th January 2012. Go to www.huntlymotorcycleclub.co.nz for more details.
Whakamarama School Fundraiser:
There had been rumours circulating suggesting that Dion Steiner’s practice track, the venue for this year’s school fundraiser, was a “goat track” like some of the other private practice tracks around. Those rumours were totally wrong. (A person with the standards of Dion, with a goat track !! ?? You'd have to be joking!!)
The 40 or so riders who turned up for the fun motocross event found a very technical track with uphill jumps and downhill ski jumps. It was a little dusty (but what place isn’t at the moment) and it was hard work but overall a “fantastic day”, to quote one happy but totally “stuffed” rider. Everyone had a blast but even the likes of the experienced Scott Barr-Smith and Logan Blackburn ended the day “absolutely knackered”.
Thanks to Dion for sharing his track.
ATV Prize-Giving :
The final ATV club meet for the year was held at Pirini's followed by the 2011 prize-giving. It was dusty but fun and there were prizes for everyone. Nathan Hunt is happy with his 2nd place overall in the Juniors gained through good consistent riding. His dad is "doing it slowly" as he is still recovering from his couple of offs in the ATV Nationals 3 weeks ago.
