Riders enjoy top racing at Makorori

THEY'RE OFF: Contestants get off to a sand-spitting start at round 3 of the beach races at Makorori Beach. Picture by Melissa Stanaway

If it was action you wanted, it was action you got in Round 3 of the Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club’s beach racing series. The accumulated points winners will be announced at the club’s prize-giving at the end of the season.

In the senior 0-to-open class, a great battle ensued between roadie Dylan MacGregor (Yamaha R1) and MX racer Daniel Fogarty (Yamaha YZF450).

MacGregor unofficially (no transponder) took out Race 1.

Race 2 was probably one of the best local beach races ever. Fogarty was first out of the corners; MacGregor passed him on the straights. It was hard racing. When the flag dropped, Fogarty was in front.

MacGregor was out after that as the R1’s gearbox called it a day.

ResultsRace 1: Fogarty, Wedlake (Honda CRF450), Ben Delegot (Yamaha YZF450). Race 2: Fogarty, Wedlake, Delegot. Race 3: Fogarty, Wedlake, Delegot.

The senior 0-500cc class had good numbers and hard racing. Graham Wedlake (Honda CRF450) dominated with three good wins. Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) went all out to get a two-stroke on the podium but couldn’t get past Malcom Rau (Honda CRF450).

Race 1: Wedlake, Ben Delegot (Yamaha YZF450), Rau. Race 2: Wedlake, Delegot, Rau. Race 3: Wedlake, Delegot, Rau.

Competition was brutal in the 0-250cc class. It was good to see Warren Martin (Kawasaki KXF250) back on the sand. Bryce Norman (Suzuki RM250), despite losing a chain in Round 1, had a real battle with Ashley Andrews (Kawasaki KX250). In Race 3, only 0.038 of a second separated them over the finish line.

Race 1: Andrews, Johnathon Wilkie (Kawasaki KX250). Race 2: Norman, Andrews, Wilkie. Race 3: Norman, Andrews, Wilkie.

In the all-terrain vehicle (quad) class, Burt Norman (Polaris MXR450) hit the sand for the first time. But after Race 1, he gave his chain to his son Bryce so he could continue racing.

Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450) was so determined to catch Graham Wedlake (Suzuki LTR450) that she took the engine way past its recommended red line but it still wasn’t enough to get her past Wedlake.

Race 1: Wedlake, Andrews, Norman. Race 2: Wedlake, Andrews. Race 3: Wedlake, Andrews.

It was all action in the women’s class. Anna Hyland (Suzuki DRZ125) has improved this season, and is getting closer to a podium finish. Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450), Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Kawasaki KX85) and Fritha Rau (Kawasaki KX85) were passing each other all day.

Race 1: Phillips-Irvine, Rau, Andrews. Race 2: Andrews, Phillips-Irvine, Rau. Race 3: Andrews, Phillips-Irvine, Rau.

The new senior no-points, fun class on a short track was a huge success. Gus Heuser (Yamaha YZF420), Gerald Holden (Honda CRF350) and George Walker (KTM450) were among the racers.

In the Junior A class, Troy Andrews (Yamaha YZ125) extended his winning streak, despite Murdoch Rau (Husqvarna 125) and Ben Logan (Honda CR125) trying to topple him. Jaiden Hart (Kawasaki KX200) and Oliver Aldridge (Kawasaki KX85) weren’t racing for points but had a lot of fun.

Race 1: Andrews, Logan, Rau. Race 2: Andrews, Rau, Logan. Race 3: Andrews, Logan, Rau.

Huge numbers contested the Junior B class. Jack Reef (Kawasaki KX85) ruled the roost with three wins. It was good to see Riley Stanaway (Suzuki RM85) on the sand.

Race 1: Reef, Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Kawasaki KX85), Sophie Peach (KTM85). Race 2: Reef, Peach, Fritha Rau (Kawasaki KX85). Race 3: Reef, Phillips-Irvine, Peach.

In the trails class, newbies Claire Ellmers (Apex MXR 100) and Mitchell Kurtis (Kawasaki KLX140) had a great time. Ellmers was the only one running a transponder, so took out all first placings.

Competition was so hot in the Mini 65 class that riders were falling off left, right and centre. Emily Swan (Kawasaki KX65) took a hard fall in Race 3 but got back on and finished the race.

Race 1: Luka Fogarty (KTM65), Swan. Race 2: Swan, Fogarty. Race 3: Fogarty, Swan.

In the Mini 50 class, Lochlan Phillips-Crane (KTM50) was the only racer with a transponder so he took out all three races. Jaxon Pardoe (Yamaha PW50), Pippa Holden (CRF50), and Gemma and Jade Ellmers (Suzuki LT50s) all had a fun-filled day.

The next beach racing meeting is the Pit Stop (Gisborne) East Coast Challenge on August 20.