TK takes to the dirt track

YOUNG MAN IN A HURRY: Nine-year-old Te Kani-a-Takirau (TK) Wirepa-Hei takes to the air in a motocross event. Pictures supplied

TK has been riding motorbikes since he was four and last weekend he finished third overall in his division at the South Waikato Minicross Champs in Tokoroa.

At the Interschools Motocross Challenge in Rotorua in March, TK represented Te Wharau School and won the MX65cc class for seven- and eight-year-old riders.

This followed success at the annual Summercross event in Whakatane in December, when TK won the MX65cc class for 7-8yr riders.

Two months earlier, in October, TK took part in the 2015 national minicross champs in New Plymouth.

“This was his first nationals and we were hoping he would place in the top 10,” TK’s father, Jamie Hei, said.

“He managed seventh in the 7-8yr MX65cc class. This Queen’s Birthday Weekend he took part in the South Waikato Minicross Champs in Tokoroa.”

Riders were aiming to qualify for the A or B group, and TK qualified for the A group, Jamie Hei said.

“In the first race, TK had a bad start and came from the back of the pack to place fourth. In the second race, he had a better start and managed a second placing.

“In the third and final race, he had another good start and was in third position when, halfway through the race, the bike started losing power.

“He managed to finish the race in fourth place, which gave him third place overall for the day.”

TK is an affiliated member of the Gisborne Motorcycle Club, as well as the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga clubs. He is now looking forward to the 2016 nationals in Pukekohe in November and is hoping to improve on seventh.