Stirring battles from future prospects

The Wairarapa Motocross Club held a race day at Parkvale last Sunday with about 30 riders taking advantage of favourable weather and a track which provided a hard and fast surface.
In the mini's Mitch Hooper showed how much he has improved on his new KX65.
Benjamin Murray and Adam Gordon also had some stirring battles in their three races and look bright prospects for the future.
There were five riders in the junior 85cc class with Jay McEwen taking full advantage of his experience there.
David Gordon and Sam Ryan had some close tussles for second and third and Braiden Ryan and Connell Leahy also rode well.
In the premier grade the senior A's and senior B's joined together and there was some exciting action. Steve Bausch was the dominant performer but Zac Wilkie's style and speed was always obvious and Shaun Pirimona and Mike Thrupp were impressive too.
The highlight of the day for yours truly came when three of the fathers forgot their advanced years and raced on our sons' 85cc bikes. Dave Leahy was the star but I did manage to stay on and beat Dave Ryan in the process.
It seemed his bike was simply too powerful for him to control.
On the national scene Taupo hosted a one-off international event with Zac Nolen competing in the 6-8yrs 50cc division one section and Hunter Jacobson and Kaleb Barron in the 6-8yrs Euro bikes section. Jacobson did particularly well to finish seventh out of 28 riders. Luke McKay, who did not race over the winter months due to hockey commitments, was a creditable seventh in the 9-11yrs 65cc class.
Competing in the 8-11yrs 85cc division were Sam Guise and Camden Butler, both of whom have moved into that class this year. They did well, Butler placing 14th and Guise 24th.
Callum Moore had a mixed day in the 12-15yrs 85cc class.
Seniors Jay Langlands, Travis Edwards, Jarred Thompson, Brady Thompson, Sam Grey and Mason Wilkie gained valuable competition at the highest levels.
Thompson was fourth in section B and Wilkie was 11th in MX2.
Also competing with distinction for Wairarapa were vets John Morrison and Scott Robertson, the latter picking up a fifth placing.
The Martinborough club are having a "fun day" event at Martin's property on the Pirinoa road about 10 minutes from Martinborough this Sunday. Signing in is at 8.30am with briefing at 9.45am and the actual racing getting underway at 10am. Any further information can be obtained by either looking at the WMCC website or contacting Sam Bausch.