Sharp racing on smooth surface

SAND FLIES: Ian Norman and his all-terrain vehicle whip up the sand at a previous meeting at Makorori Beach. At the most recent meeting, he did a demonstration run on his Suzuki-powered GSXR 1000 ATV. File picture by Liam Clayton

A surface like a billiard table made for fast racing at Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club’s latest meeting at Makorori Beach.

Ian Newman showed just how fast it was by doing a demonstration run on his Suzuki-powered GSXR 1000 ATV (all-terrain vehicle).

The Pit Stop (Gisborne) East Coast Challenge featured keen competition among riders.

In the open class, it was good to see Daniel Fogarty (Yamaha YZF450) back on the sand with his speedway-style cornering. Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KX450) was second again this year as he could not catch Fogarty. Neil Doherty (Suzuki GSXR 1000) made his annual trip from Dargaville and was happy with his performance. Mark Cameron’s Honda XR600 was the only air-cooled machine in this class and didn’t disappoint. Overall results: Fogarty 1, Wedlake 2, Doherty 3. Fogarty was also the winner of the Mark Wilson Memorial Cup.

In the 0-to-500cc class, Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KX450) was again second to Daniel Fogarty (Yamaha YZF450). He could not match Fogarty’s cornering ability. George Wrinkler (KTM300) was happy to stay out of the battle up front. Overall results: Fogarty 1, Wedlake 2, Wrinkler 3.

In the ATV class, it may have taken a couple of seasons, but Burt Norman has got his American-powered Polaris 450 humming. Once that machine came out of the corner, nothing could catch it. Ian Diack (Yamaha YFZ450) and Bryce Norman on his newly acquired Suzuki LTR450 had a great battle until mechanical issues took Norman out of the running. Overall results: Burt Norman 1, Diack 2, Bryce Norman 3.

In the 0-250 class, action was the order of the day. Buck Atkins (Yamaha YZF250) and Ben Logan (Honda CRF250) battled hard for first place, almost as hard as Ashley Andrews (Kawasaki KX250), Ben Delegat (Honda CRF250) and Michael Fenwick (Yamaha YZF250) fought for third place. Overall results: Atkins 1, Logan 2, Andrews 3.

In the classic/veteran motocross class, it was action galore as riders were passing each other all day. Graham Wedlake (Suzuki RM125), Greg Pawson (Kawasaki KX450) and Melissa Stanaway (James 197) all fought out the top spot. The British Twin fans were left disappointed as Paul Arnott (BSA650) blew a gearbox and Chris Wright took a hard fall from his Triumph 750 in Race 2. It was good to see Scott Cavarney having fun on his early-’80s Suzuki DR500. Overall results: Wedlake 1, Pawson 2, Stanaway 3.

The perfect record of Sophie Peach (KTM250) in the women’s class this season meant nothing as Kenzie Mitchell (Honda CRF450) cleaned up the track with three wins. All Fritha Rau (Husky 125) could do was watch the battle happening in front of her. Overall results: Mitchell 1, Peach 2, Rau 3.

In the Junior A 125T/250F class, Ethan Bruce (Yamaha YZF250) dominated, despite the best efforts of Luka Fogarty (KTM85). Overall results: Bruce 1, Fogarty 2.

In the Junior B 85 class, a battle ensued between Logan Bruce (Yamaha YZ85) and Duncan Carmichael (Kawasaki KX85), with plenty of passing. Overall results: Bruce 1, Carmichael 2.

Jordan Fenwick (Kawasaki KX65) and Claire Ellmers (Apex MXRpro) engaged in another hard battle in the Mini 65 class. Overall results: Fenwick 1, Ellmers 2.

The trails class again had big numbers. Conner Cavaney and Cohen Laing (Kawasaki KX110) dominated the top two podium spots but third place was keenly contested. Sophia Carmichale (Yamaha TT110) and twins Gemma and Jade Ellmers, both on Polaris Outlaw 90s, all had a third placing over the three races. Lochie Davidson (Yamaha TT90) and Sophie Foss (Yamaha PW80) had a great battle against each other. Overall results: Cavaney 1, Laing 2, Jade Ellmers 3.

In the Mini 50 class, the water-cooled KTM50 club was back in the thick of it as Travis Foss, Corrin Newman and Bailey Ireland fought hard and fast for the top podium position. Overall results: Foss 1, Newman 2, Ireland 3.

In the Mini 50 air-cooled class, Ario Fenwick (Yamaha PW50), Pippa Holden (Honda CRF50) and Ruby Boyd (Yamaha PW50) all had a chance at the top spot. The races had lots of passing, with the race leader changing regularly throughout the day. When the points were added up, it was Fenwick who was top dog. Overall results: Fenwick 1, Holden 2, Boyd 3.

The club’s next beach racing meeting will be the beach racing nationals at Makorori Beach on September 29.