Whanganui rider Jet Ashworth was reaching for the after burners when crashing twice yet still running third overall at the New Zealand Interschool Motocross Championships in Bay of Plenty last week.
The Kai Iwi School youngster was competing in the 9-11-year-old 65cc class when he crashed in race one. He immediately remounted to finish third in the Awakaponga track.
After regaining his bearings Ashworth won the second race only to falter again in the third and final event when hunting the lead. The youngster once again remounted to finish third and take bronze in the national interschool championship missing silver by just two points.
Proud father Darren Ashworth said his son returned home to finish third overall in the Wanganui Motocross Winter Series after the fifth and final round on Sunday after missing round one.
He is currently leading the Gold Coast championship in Foxton and the Orion competition in Manawatu.
"Jet is also sitting fifth overall in the Taupo club champs and that's where we're going this weekend," Ashworth senior said yesterday.