Pair competing at Mini MX Nationals

AIR BIKE: Atawhai Wirepa-Hei (No.145) takes to the air in a mini motocross race. He and Jack Murphy are at the Mini MX Nationals this weekend. Pictures supplied

Two local riders are looking to take their form into the 2020 Mini MX Nationals this weekend.

Jack Murphy, 7, and Atawhai Wirepa-Hei, 7, are competing at the North Harbour Mini Motocross Club track at Makarau, north-west of Orewa.

Wirepa-Hei raced in his first mini national events last year, and did more than achieve his goal of making the top 10. He finished third overall in the 50cc class for riders aged four to seven.

This year he's moved up into the class for riders aged six to eight — the premier class of 50cc racing. The competitors are a bit bigger and stronger in the 6-8yr class, the bikes have slightly bigger wheels, faster engines and more suspension.

Wirepa-Hei has competed in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty interschool events this year and came first both times.

Over Labour Weekend, he raced in the 2020 MX Fest in Taupo, where he crashed in his first race and was unable to finish the day's racing.

He has bounced back from the crash well and will be close to full fitness this weekend.

Murphy will also be racing in the 6-8yr MX 50 class on his LMC Husqvarna 50cc.

Jack raced in the same class as a six-year-old at last year's mini nationals in Hawke's Bay and qualified for the main event, finishing 24th overall.

His goals for the weekend this year are to get good starts, secure one of the top 30 spots in qualifying, and to finish in the top 15 overall.

With huge numbers in their class, both boys will need to qualify in the top 30 to race this weekend in the main championship event. Qualifying position is determined by lap time.

After the qualifying round, the weekend consists of five 10-minute races across the two days.