Makorori sand to fly

close racing: Motorcycle racers (from left) Ben Logan, Michael Fenwick and Ben Delegat go round the cone in close order at Makorori Beach. The Beach Racing Nationals will be held at Makorori tomorrow. File picture by Liam Clayton

It will be all on when Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club hosts the 2021 Beach Racing Nationals at Makorori Beach tomorrow.

In the senior open class the road warriors will be well represented. Steve Allen (Honda CBR1000), Dave Campbell (Suzuki Bandit 1100) and Brendon Barwick (Yamaha R6) will push hard to get a roadbike first across the line.

But to do that, they will have to beat the motocross racers like roadbike-eater Daniel Fogarty (Yamaha YZF450), who has taken the national title more than once.

In the 0-to-500cc class, Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450) will look to build on his good form from the last meeting, as will Kyle Beckett (Kawasaki KXF450).

Dave Wilson might be running a smaller engine but those KTM SXF350s are not slow by any means. Derek Watson has also opted for the smaller, lighter machine as he smashes the sand on his Husqvarna TC350.

The ATV (quad) class had good numbers at the last meeting. Ian Newman returns on his Honda TRX450. Graham Strong (Suzuki LTR450) had three wins at the last meeting and will want a repeat performance tomorrow.

Natasha Goodall (Suzuki LTR450) and Hawke’s Bay racer Dontage Ifan (Honda TRX450) will be out for a top place.

The 0-250cc event could be anyone’s as so many competitive riders race in this class. Ben Logan (Yamaha YZ250), Buck Atkins (KTM 250SXF), Jody Engelbrecht (Yamaha YZ250FX) and Bryce Norman (KTM SX250) are just a few of the racers who will stretch the throttle cables tomorrow.

In the classic class, Graham Wedlake’s Suzuki RM370 two-stroke will have to stay in the power band as he takes on Paul Arnott, who will be firing up his menthol-breathing BSA 650. Warren Marten will be going for reliability over speed on his Honda XL185.

In the women’s class, Brooke Wealleans (Suzuki LTR450) will want to repeat her result from the last meeting — three wins — but first she will have to hold off Natasha Goodall (Suzuki LTR450), Fritha Rau (KTM SX300) and Ella Watson (Honda CRF150), all of whom have a chance to take out the title.

The Junior A, Junior B, Mini 65, Trails and Mini 50 riders will race as demonstration classes tomorrow with no points, but that won’t slow them down.

A lolly scramble will be held for children afterwards and prize-giving will be straight after the meeting.

Sign-on opens at 8.45am, with racing from 9.45am. New racers are welcome.