Taupo is Tops
Battle of the Clubs 2013
The track was awesome, early morning minus 3 temperatures warmed into a day of sunshine and the Taupo club organized a great event for the 21 club teams and 126 riders who competed in the now annual Battle of the Clubs.
The Tauranga team of Cody Cooper - MX1, Peter Broxholme - MX2, Dion Steiner – Vets, Evan Hawkless – Jnr 250, Jovhann Phillips – Jnr 125 and Chris Merriman – Jnr 85 came 2nd in the Seniors and 7th in the Juniors with a 5th place overall. No podium for the team this year but great rides from all the team members.
Cody Cooper was unbeaten in his two races and, with the fastest lap time of the day, grabbed the bragging rights for the Seniors. These top results along with Broxy’s 2nd and 11th places and Dion Steiner’s 24th and 27th gave the Tauranga team 2nd place behind Taupo in the Senior section.
The younger team members came 7th in the Junior section of the Battle of the Clubs.
Jovhann Phillips (left) had a fantastic day, maintained a good pace and obtained a 6th in the 125/85cc race and a 13th in the 125/250 race that was scheduled immediately afterwards.
Evan Hawkless had a bad first race. His fork guard came off hindering him big time and he finished 28th. He is new to the 250 and it is a highly competitive class but in race 2 he came 8th.
Chris Merriman (left) finished 33rd and 28th on his 85cc. He had a crash in his first race after “a 125 kicked him”, we are told. The 85ccs are small compared to the 125s and 250s. It can be rather daunting on the start line and on the track competing against such ruthless opposition.
Tauranga riders also played a pivotal role in the success of other club teams.
Aaron Wiltshier (125cc 1st & 4th) and Ben Townley( MX1 2 x 2nd) were flying the colours of the overall winners, the Taupo B team (pictured above) which featured a host of heavyweights, including Hadleigh Knight, Wyatt Chase, Kayne Lamont and vet rider, Bevan Weal.
Rhys Carter (MX2 1st & 4th) rode for the Tokoroa Club and notched up valuable points to help his team place 2nd.
The Patetonga Club took 3rd spot on the podium. Junior rider of the day, Josiah Natke, was in a team with Daryll King, Sean O’Connor, Luke Temple, Aaron Manning and Stanley Burge but Josiah’s unbeaten record was a major factor in the Patetonga team success.
Josh Tredinnick rode his 85cc as a member of one of the Rotorua teams placing 34th and 35th.
Congratulations are due to all the riders as well as the organizers. It is fantastic to see and be part of the great atmosphere and rivalry with a difference that is created by this interclub event. Roll on next year but meantime good luck with the Taupo race round that is on tomorrow.
Full results are on My Laps.
1000 Clicks photo of the Tauranga team. From left: Chris Merriman, Dion Steiner, Peter Broxholme, Evan Hawkless, Cody Cooper and Jovhann Phillips
