Bikes set to make the sand fly again

Fast times: Lachlan Phillips-Crane (591) and Jackson Pardoe (949) concentrate on the sand ahead in motorcycle beach racing at Makorori. The 2018 series starts tomorrow. Picture by Liam Clayton

MOTORSPORT

It’s time to hit the sand again as the Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club starts its 2018 Beach Racing series tomorrow.

The senior open and 0-to-500cc class will see the return of the usual suspects, Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450) leading the four stroke cause against two-stroke stalwarts Peter Krinkle and Nick Wilkie, both on Honda CR500s.

The ATV class will be back. Ian Newman will make his debut on his new 1000cc Honda-powered super quad.

Despite swapping two wheels for four, Rockie Ellmers has stayed true to the two-stroke cause on a Polaris Scrambler 400.

Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450) will be back for another season of hard and fast racing. Newbie Ian Diack (Yamaha YZ450) will be giving the sand a go this weekend.

The 0-250cc class should produce close racing. Troy Andrews (Kawasaki KX250) will be going hard to take on hard-charger Sam Spencer (Honda CR250). Joining the party will be Bryce Norman (Suzuki RMZ250) and Ben Logan (Kawasaki KX250), both aiming for top spot.

Women’s combined bike/ATV class racer Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Suzuki RM125) will be out to better her competition, Fritha Rau (Husqvarna TC125). Despite being on a smaller machine, Elle Adcock (Kawasaki KX85) is hoping to be the fly in the ointment.

Junior A class (125cc) class will be back in action, with Murdoch Rau (Husqvarna TC125) hoping to take the top spot, but he will have some tough competition.

The Junior B (85cc) class will be interesting as Claire Ellmers (Apex MXR Pro) moves up into this class.

The trails class will be back, for junior riders wanting to give the sport a go or for those junior racers riding a farm-type bike. Jacob Adcock (Yamaha TTR90) will be back out there battling for top spot, along with twins Gemma and Jade Ellmers, both on Polaris Outlaw 90s as they chase him down.

The mini 65 class will again be all go. Top rider Luka Fogarty (KTM65) will have some real competition, with Lachlan Phillips-Crane (KTM 65) determined to take the win.

The club’s mini 50 class always has good numbers. Newbies Bailey Ireland (KTM 50) and Jack Murphey (Honda CRF50) will both be pushing for that top spot.

Anyone wanting to have a go at this sport can approach club members on the day at Makorori Beach, about eight kilometres north of Gisborne on the Pacific Highway Coast Road. If you’re not sure what class you are in, go out there, ask and they will fit you in.

Sign-in is at midday. Racing starts at 1pm. New riders are welcome.