Top line-up for nationals on sand

Beach Racing - Troy Andrews

A TOP line-up of riders and machines will hit the sand track at Makorori Beach tomorrow for Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club’s beach-racing nationals.

Last year’s senior open class champion, Dylan MacGregor (Yamaha R1), will lead the road warriors’ bid to make a clean sweep of the senior open top three placings. MacGregor will be joined by fellow road bike enthusiasts Shaun Mitchell (Honda CBRR1000), Neil Doherty (Suzuki GSXR1000), Jay Peach (Yamaha R1) and Greg Hall (Kawasaki ZXR750).

Motocross rider Daniel Fogarty might only be on a 450cc machine but he will happily step up to the challenge.

In the senior 0-to-500cc, Fogarty (Yamaha YZF450) will be back to defend his title. The usual two-stroke defenders Nick Wilkie (Honda CR500) and Peter Krinkle (Kawasaki KX500) will also be back. Malcom Rau (Honda CRF450) has had a great season and hopes for a shot out front.

A four-stroke has never won the 0-to-250cc class, but this year MacGregor has great plans for his four-stroke KTM SX250 on the sand. It won’t be a cakewalk for MacGregor, as two-stroke master Sam Spencer (Honda CR250) will be back and Troy Andrews (Kawasaki KX250) has added a few go-fast bits to his machine.

In the all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) or quad class, Ian Newman (Suzuki 750-powered Honda) will be back to defend his title. Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450), who destroyed her engine in this event last season, will be back with a vengeance. The cornering abilities of Andrews have taken her to the front in races.

Graham Wedlake (Suzuki LTR450), from Hawke’s Bay will be up there, as will Phillip Macpherson (Kawasaki KFX450), who has really stepped up this season.

The Classic VMX class will be back, with a lot of British steel chewing up the sand. Jacob Scott (Triumph Bonneville flat-tracker) will be back to defend his national title, as well as the Dave Crone Memorial Cup for the first British bike home in Race 2.

Greg Pawson (Aerial 500 single), Warren Martin (Triumph 500) and Chris Wright (Triumph Trophey T140) all have a chance to be No.1.

For the first time on the sand in this class, a female rider will take on the boys as Melissa Stanaway revs up her 197cc 1948 DMW.

Defending the rice burners will be Phil Scott on his air-cooled Suzuki RM125.

The women’s class will be too close to call. Last year’s champion, Alana Andrews (Suzuki LTR450), will be back to take on all competitors. Taylah Mitchell (KTM125) had to settle for second place last season and wants to improve on that. Fritha Rau (Husky 125) and Gabrielle Phillips-Irvine (Kawasaki KX85) will be back with high podium hopes.

Riders in the junior and mini classes won’t be racing for national titles but will be racing as no-points demonstration classes.

Sign-in starts at 8.15am, with racing at 9.15am. Prize-giving will be straight after the racing. Late entries will be accepted.