Elwin in class of her own

Taihape teenager Sarah Elwin was virtually untouchable as she scampered to her first national motorcycling title at the weekend.

The 18-year-old, a Year 13 pupil at Taihape Area School, took her Yamaha YZ125 to four wins and a runner-up finish in her five races on the two-day event.

Elwin ended the championship a solid nine points clear of her nearest rival, fellow Yamaha YZ125 rider Mikayla Rowe, of New Plymouth.

Te Awamutu's Jessica Dunn took the third step on the podium, another 13 points further back.

"This is a bit of a breakthrough for me," said Elwin.

"I have finished second or third at this championship in the past but could never win it, until now.

"I've been racing about five or six years now, but this is the best result ever."

TT racing is similar to motocross in that it's run on a dirt track but, with the course set out on a flat paddock, without steep hills or jumps to slow the riders down, it also takes on some of the characteristics of road-racing. Riders do reach some incredible speeds until the track cuts up rough.

It was the second time in as many weeks that Elwin tackled a major national event - she raced the YZ125 to finish fourth in the women's class at the Tarawera 100 cross-country race a week earlier.