Throttles wide open for precious points

INTO THEIR WORK: Ian Diack (left) and Ian Newman lean into the corner as their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) send the sand flying. The final points round of the beach racing series will be held at Makorori Beach tomorrow from 10.30am. Picture by Liam Clayton

BEACH RACING

Beach racing is back for the final points round of the Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club series. Riders will be keeping the throttles open for extra points.

The senior open class will have its battles. Graham Wedlake (Kawasaki KX450) and Euro racer Craig Daily (Husqvarna FC450) — second on points in his first beach racing season — will need to watch out for road warrior Jay Peach (Yamaha R6), who is not far back.

In the senior 0-500cc division, double classer Wedlake (Kawasaki KX450) leads the charge, but Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) and John Wright (Honda CRF450) are sharpening their lances.

The ATV (all-terrain vehicles) class will be back. Ian Diack (Yamaha YFZ450) was king of the sand in the last round of beach racing. This round, Graham Wedlake (Suzuki LTR450) and Rockie Ellmers (Polaris Scambler 400) will be out to knock him off his perch. Burt Norman won’t be out there, as he took quite a tumble in the sand in Round 2 racing.

The 0-250 class is one to keep an eye on. Ben Logan (Kawasaki KX250) took the most points last round and, without looking behind him, he knows that Troy Andrews (Kawasaki KX250) and Mike Leahy (Yamaha YZF250) will be sitting on his exhaust.

In the women’s combined bike/ATV class, points leader Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Suzuki RM125) will not want to make a mistake. Four-stroker Sophie Peach (KTM 250) and Elle Adcock (Kawasaki KX 85) will do everything they can to keep Gabrielle from picking up any more wins, as points are tight.

Classic class racers will be back, with Graeme (DMW 197) and Melissa Stanaway (James 197) watching out for Paul Arnott on his heavily modified Triumph 750. Defending the honour of the Japanese bikes will be Greg Paulson on his 1973 Kawasaki KX400.

The Junior A class (125cc) will have sand flying, with Murdoch Rau (Husqvarna TC125) fighting for those final points against Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Suzuki RM125). This is another class in which points are close.

Junior B riders Quinta Meramid (RM 85) and Jay Swann (KX65) will battle it out all day, as will Lachlan Phillips-Crane (KTM65).

In the trails class, Jade Ellmers (Polaris Outlaw 90) will, if anything, have more speed this round as her twin sister, Gemma Ellmers (Polaris Outlaw 90), is only a few points behind. Riley Kirkpatrick (Kawasaki KXF110) isn’t racing for points but always has a lot of fun.

The mini 65 class will again be all go. Jacob Adcock (KTM 65) will try to hold off Lachlan Phillips-Crane (KTM 65) and Emily Swann (KX 65) will rip up the sand. ATV racer Claire Ellmers (APEX 100) will be hoping to earn a few more points.

The club’s mini 50 class is always good to watch. Out there this round will be Corrin Newman (Honda 50) battling it out with Jake Grisdale (Honda CRF50) and Peter Swann (Suzuki JR 50), all giving it their best for the day’s points.

Anyone wanting to have a go at this sport can approach club members on the day at Makorori Beach, about eight kilometres north of Gisborne on the Pacific Highway coast road

Sign-in is at 9.30am, and racing starts at 10.30. New riders are welcome.