Throttles kept wide open

SAND SPEED: Taylah Mitchell was in hard-charging form on her KTM125 at the Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club beach-racing nationals at Makorori. She finished second in the women’s class. Picture by Liam Clayton

It was action all the way at the Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club beach-racing nationals at Makorori.

A good turnout of spectators, visitors and local racers ensured the throttles were wide open.

Dylan MacGregor, riding his Yamaha R1 in the senior open class, kept the crowd entertained as he ripped up the sand at high speed down the 800-metre straights.

Despite some hard competition from Jay Peach (Yamaha R6) and Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450), MacGregor collected all three wins.

Further back, Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) had a great duel with Shaun Mitchell (Honda CBR1000). Wilkie finished one point ahead of Mitchell to take fourth place.

Overall results: MacGregor 1, Peach 2, Wedlake 3.

Nothing was held back in the 0-to-500cc class. Wedlake (Kawasaki KXF450) had to call on all his resources to stay ahead. Malcom Rau (Honda CRF400), Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) and Peter Krinkle (Kawasaki KX500) all had a go at knocking Wedlake off his perch, to no avail

Results: Wedlake 1, Rau 2, Wilkie 3.

Riders needed nerves of steel to race in the 0-250cc class. It was all action as top riders ran into trouble.

Dylan MacGregor (KTM SX250) made a rare mistake and stalled on the corner in Race 1, Sam Spencer (Honda CR250) blew a head gasket in Race 3 and Troy Andrews seized a crank in Race 2.

All this happened while they tried to catch the master of 250s, Damian Fogarty (Kawasaki KX250).

Even though MacGregor had the speed by the end of the straight, he could not compete against Fogarty’s disregard for the laws of physics as he threw his machine into the corners faster than any man should. It was something to watch.

Results: Fogarty 1, MacGregor 2, Griffin Law (KTM 250SX) 3.

Numbers were down in the ATV (all-terrain vehicle) class were down on numbers but the action was as hot as always.

Ian Newman’s beach-racing ATV was still waiting for a new crank so he entered on his motocross machine (Honda TRX450) and had to work really hard to stay ahead of cornering master Alana Andrews (SuzukiLTR450).

Graham Wedlake (Suzuki LTR450) was getting worn down by taking part in three classes but still managed to put up a good fight.

Results: Newman 1, Andrews 2, Wedlake 3.

The Classic class had great numbers and some nice British machinery was on show. Dave Crone would have been proud.

The sand provided some amazing grip as both Jacob Scott (Triumph Bonneville flat-tracker) and Chris Wright (Triumph Trophy T140) threw chains on the practice start.

Paul Arnott (Norton 650) and Greg Pawson (Aerial 500 single) had some great duels, as did Graham Stanaway (1956 Put 197) and Warren Martin (Triumph 500), Stanaway beating Martin by one point to take fourth spot.

Jacob Scott won the Dave Crone Memorial Cup for the first British bike home in Race 2.

Results: Scott 1, Arnott 2, Pawson 3.

It was all on in the women’s class. Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450) dominated this class, managing to hold off hard-charging sisters Taylah (KTM125) and Kenzie Mitchell (Honda CRF150). Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Suzuki RM250) and Fritha Rau (Husky 150) weren’t in the top three but they fought hard, with Rau taking fourth place.

Results: Andrews 1, Taylah Mitchell 2, Kenzie Mitchell 3.

Only one beach-racing meeting is left this season — the East Coast Challenge on September 10.