Motorsport: Townley stretches NZ Supercross lead

Ben Townley. Photo / Andy McGechan

Bay of Plenty rider Ben Townley was simply unstoppable at round two of the New Zealand Supercross Championships at Motueka on Sunday.

The Kawasaki ace has been on the comeback from injury but showed he was easily on the path back to full fitness as he won all three open-class races at the popular "Rat Track" facility.

Each time he edged out an injured Cody Cooper (Suzuki), of Mount Maunganui, and New Zealand MX1 motocross champion Justin McDonald (Honda), of Christchurch, in the race for the podium top step.

Fourth best in the open class was Mount Maunganui's Mason Phillips (Kawasaki).

"I hadn't raced at Motueka since I was about 14, so it was nice to come back here and win," said Townley afterwards.

"I managed good starts and that was important because it's something I've been working on. I was second, behind Cody, at the start of race one but got past him on turn two. He holeshot the second moto as well but I got him right away and I was riding well and pushed hard. It was the best I have felt on a bike in about two years.

"It started to drizzle and the track got quite muddy and slippery for race three. I'd never raced a muddy supercross before.

"I'm really happy with my riding. Everything with my recovery is going to plan and my speed is coming back nicely."

Meanwhile, in the senior Lites (250cc) class, it was time for defending champion Scott Columb (Suzuki) to come good.

Columb had a difficult opening round in Timaru a week earlier but he was in superb form at Motueka on Sunday, finishing 1-2-1 in his three races to overtake early Lites series leader Phillips, and rocket to the top of the standings.

Tight action in the junior grades saw Wanganui's Tom Managh (Suzuki) close up on Rangiora's Isaiah McGoldrick (KTM) at the top of the 250cc class. Managh dominated on Sunday as he scored 1-2-1 finishes, moving up from second overall and 11 points behind McGoldrick to equal first in the standings.

Second best in this class on Sunday was Auckland's Brandon Tipene (KTM), although he remains third in the series standings.

In the junior Lites (85cc) class, Rangiora's Micah McGoldrick (KTM) stretched his points lead with 1-3-1 results, while Pahiatua's Scott Sowry (Kawasaki) impressed with three runner-up finishes.

Feilding's Haki Waller (Kawasaki) was third best in the class at Motueka and he remains No2 in the class rankings.

Motorcycling New Zealand supercross co-commissioner Neil Ritchie said he was thrilled with the racing so far.

"It's the best depth of talent we've seen, real quality racing."

More sizzling action is expected at round three in Tokoroa this Saturday night. The fourth and final round is set for Manukau City on Saturday, January 23.

ROUND TWO

SENIOR OPEN
1. Ben Townley (Tauranga) 115 points
2. Justin McDonald (Christchurch) 95
3. Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 86

SENIOR LITES
1. Scott Columb (Queenstown) 108 points
2. Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 102
3. Brad Groombridge (Taupo) 87

JUNIOR 250CC:
1. Isaiah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 100 points
2. Tom Managh (Wanganui) 100
3. Brandon Tipene (Auckland) 84

JUNIOR LITES
1. Micah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 115 points
2. Haki Waller (Feilding) 97
3. Dylan Walsh (Christchurch) 86