Last chance to score points

PURSUED: Women’s class rider Sophie Peach (left) leads the division on points. In this photo, she is pursued around the turn by Quinta McDiarmid during beach racing at Makorori Beach. Picture by Liam Clayton

MOTORSPORT

RIDERS have one last chance to make up ground in Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club’s beach racing series.

Round 3 — the final points round of this series — will be held at Makorori Beach tomorrow.

Some riders will go all out for the extra points and some will hit the rev limiter to upset the apple cart.

In the senior open class, points leader Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450) will be watching his back as Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) goes after the first-place points.

Road warrior Greg Hall (Kawasaki ZXR750) will hope he has all the bugs ironed out of his machine.

In the 0-to-500cc class, again it will be Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450) and Wilkie (Honda CR500) fighting for most points.

Benny Fogarty (Kawasaki KX500) will put in a strong effort to secure his place in the top three, providing he can hold off Tom Claudatos (Suzuki RMZ450).

In the ATV class, points leader Burt Norman (Polaris Outlaw450) could have a relatively easy run. Graham Wedlake (Suzuki LTZ450) and Rockie Ellmers (Polaris Scrambler 400) are both out with blown engines.

It will be all on in the 0-250cc class as Bryce Norman (KTM250) and Ben Logan (Kawasaki KX250) are within striking distance of each other in their battle for top spot. Mike Leahy (Yamaha YZ250) and Michael Fenwick (Yamaha YZF250) are fighting hard to take out third overall.

In the classic class, Stu Heaps (Honda 125), Graham Stanaway (1948 DMW 200) and Melissa Stanaway (1954 James 197) all have a chance at the top spot.

Chris Wright (Triumph Bonneville 750) and Graham Wedlake (1983 Suzuki RM125) will have some fun on the sand.

Women’s class racer Sophie Peach (KTM250) leads on points but Fritha Rau (Husqvarna 125) won’t go down without a fight.

The Junior A 125T/250F class has Tate Williams (Kawasaki KXF250) leading the points, but Saxon Sowerby (KTM125) is within striking distance.

The riders of the Mini 65 class have been racing hammer and tongs all season. Points leader Claire Ellmers (Apex MXR Pro) and Jorden Fenwick (Kawasaki KX65) have had a good battle all season. Fighting for third and fourth places overall will be Brodie Reader (KTM65) and Corban Spencer (KTM65).

In the trails class it will be two wheels versus four wheels as Cohen Laing (Kawasaki KXF110) and Gemma Ellmers (Polaris Outlaw 90) battle it out for first-place points. Only four points separate third- and fourth-place runners as Jade Ellmers (Polaris Outlaw 90) pits her four-wheeled machine against Lila Murphy’s (Honda CRF70) two-wheel racer.

In the Mini 50 water-cooled class, Jack Murphy (KTM50) needs some good results to keep ahead of Travis Foss (KTM50) to stay in first place.

Hunter Sadlier (KTM50) looks as if he will be able to hang on to third place overall, all going well on the day.

Four-year-old Ario Fenwick (Yamaha PW50) only has to finish to take out the title for the Mini 50 air-cooled class. Charlie Thompson (Honda CRF50) and Corrin Newman (Honda CRF50) will fight out second place.

Prize-giving for the series will be held after the racing.

Sign-on is at 12 midday, and racing starts at 1pm. New racers are welcome.