Motorsport: Bay veteran campaigner plays down chances of making podium

Bay Starter: Experienced campaigner Nigel Reid is playing down his chances of a podium finish this weekend. Photo/Duncan Brown

When it comes to motorsport Nigel Reid has been there and done that ... on two wheels and four.

So while Reid, 55, a former New Zealand moto trials representative and a Hawke's Bay Four Wheel Drive competitor for the past 32 years was doing a good job of playing down his chances of a podium finish during the final two rounds of the North Island trials in Hawke's Bay this weekend, rivals in his 12-strong intermediate class will be fools to ignore his tactics and manoeuvres as well as his chances of round honours.

"As one of the organisers my main job is to make sure all of the other 32 starters are happy," mechanic Reid replied when quizzed about his chances of making the podium during round seven at Rock Station, Te Pohue today or round eight at Mount Erin Station near Havelock North tomorrow.

"I've missed a couple of rounds and I'm still getting back into it after a knee replacement operation last year. I'm very limited in what I can do ... I just want to finish both days," Reid continued.

A member of New Zealand teams which recorded eighth and fourth placings at the respective 1996 and '97 world championship teams events in Europe, Reid was quick to throw the favourite's tag for his class on 60-year-old Manawatu rider Kevin Pinfold.

"Kevin started way before me and never stopped. He has been to Europe regularly and is a great rider."

Hawke's Bay's Paul Simmonds is the series leader in the intermediate class and will be eager to maintain the lead in front of his home crowd.

"Kevin and I are among seven in our class who are over 50. But Kevin and Paul are the riders to beat," Reid said.

"Trials are now my third passion behind listening to vinyl music and four wheel drive events."

A trials competitor since 1978, Reid, said French rider Jules Huguenin, who finished third at the national championships in Nelson at Labour Weekend, will be hard to beat in the Expert grade. Wellingtonian Matt Foster and Waikato's Robert Williams will be others capable of winning this grade.

Reid, who rides a 300cc Runga, will be one of 10 Bay riders in action and he said Fergus White will be tough to beat in the President's grade.

Top female starters include Tauranga's Gabrielle Gundry and 13-year-old Hannah Rushworth of Manawatu in the intermediate grade. Rushworth is tipped to have a big future in the sport.

"The biggest enjoyment I get out of trials these days is watching how much things have changed. Some of the feats world champion Toni Bou of Spain produces are amazing," Reid said.

Once this weekend's campaign has ended his motorsport attention will turn to the July Four Wheel Drive nationals in Turakina.

Hawke's Bay has a long association of moto trials dating back to the 1970s and the twin shock era when brands such as Montesa, Bultaco, Ossa, Honda and Yamaha TY's were sought after by competitors. In recent times the bikes have come a long way in development and are considered high tech machines, weighing as little as 66kg with loads of low down grunt.

Each of this weekend's two trials will have 12 sections and the riders will complete four laps. Five different grades will be contested.

The winner of each grade is determined by the least amount of times a rider has put their feet on the ground or if they fail to complete the section they lose five points. The rider with the least amount of points wins.