Numbers high for BMX racing night

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A BIG turnout of 60 riders took the start gate for Gisborne BMX Club’s weekly meeting on Tuesday.

In the striders’ and half-track racing, Alex Kelly had a good day’s riding. It was his first race day with no trainer wheels. Ada Lasenby, her sister Ivy, Toni Lincoln, Carlos Peterson, Damien Smith, Jackson Young, Anna Spence and William Johnston-Priest all had five good motos.

In the five-and-under division, Reave Nepia-Anderson, with five wins, and Brad O’Connell-Bacon, with three wins, were the riders to beat. Walker Wallis joined the race winners’ circle with a good win in his second moto. Seton McKinnon had a good night out with five second placings and is getting closer to the speedsters ahead of him.

Results: Reave Nepia-Anderson 1, Brad O’Connell-Bacon 2, Seton McKinnon 3, Asher Nepia-Anderson 4, Walker Wallis 5, Zavier Iremonger 6, Ben Petterson 7.

In the six- and seven-year division, Matt Hills had five wins. Aliyah Lardelli got the edge over Louie Sanders this week in a great battle. Kyran Lasenby had a good night too, with three second placings.

Results: Matt Hills 1, Aliyah Lardelli 2, Louie Sanders 3, Kyran Lasenby 4, Auric Pocock 5, Jorja Rogers 6, Sam Lloyd 7, Liam Spence 8.

Seth Iremonger was the lone boy in the eight- and nine-year division. He picked up five wins but Kaitlyn Priest chased hard for second overall. Thora Pocock headed off Lea Lloyd to round out the group.

In the 10-11yr division, Dane Berry narrowly headed off Cate Hills three wins to two. Ruby Anne Smith was not far behind them. It was a good last hit-out before this weekend’s North Island championships in Taupo.

Results: Dane Berry 1, Cate Hills 2, Ruby-Anne Smith 3, Brendon Bell 4, Miah Somerton 5, Erin Somerton 6, Breanna Iremonger 7.

In the 12-13yr division, Joshua Lardelli was in fine form again, with all motos going down to the last jump with Hayden Pragnell. Ben McCosh and Jacob Priest rounded out the group.

Dylan Lardelli entertained everyone with some high-flying aerobatics in the 14-15yr division on his way to four wins. Gemma Hills picked up a win in the final round when Lardelli went up a group. Birthday girl Taylah Pragnell, Krystal Smith and Kate McCosh rounded out the group.

The 16-plus male A class is full of speedsters. Justin Nepia won three of the five races. Phill Gill had a steady night of top-three finishes. Ethan Rogers was looking sharp till a tangle on the second jump in the third moto ended his day’s racing.

Results: Justin Nepia 1, Phill Gill 2, Tim Smith 3, Ethan Rogers 4, Troy Greaves 5, Allan Halley 6, David Parkes 7.

In the 16-plus male B class, Jason Lasenby was made to work for his two race wins by Shane Pragnell, who also had two wins, and Stuart Bell, who had one. Rob Graham, Daniel Brimmer and Bryce Kelly rounded out this “semi-competitive” class.

In the 16-plus women, Amelia Gower, Leah O’Connell and Sharyn Lardelli enjoyed their racing.