Riders in the storm

THE GANG: The Wanganui team (from left) Sheldon Brown, Jet Ashworth, Isaac Ashworth, Travis Andrews, Nikk Rangi, Matthew Bell, Michael Bell, Chase Williamson, Troy Bullock, Ajah Sullivan.

The young mini riders from the Wanganui Motorcycle Club and JETTECH Racing team came back from the KTM Mini Moto-X Nationals in Pukekohe with an arm load of trophies and mountain of memories after two challenging days of competition at the weekend.

Spokeswoman Tamara Bennetts said Pukekohe Motorcycle Club's Harrisville track had rain on-and-off for the event, adding to the pressure as the older age groups had only a ten minute practice before qualifying, while the young riders had one race on the Saturday and four on the Sunday to decide their titles.

"The most awesome sense of team spirit and accomplishment after two full days of racing in Pukekohe."

Taking their form from the regional events to the big stage, WMCC got two runnerup placings as Travis Andrews and Sheldon Brown finished 2NZ in the Year 6-8 50cc trail and Year 7-8 65cc classes respectively.

The Bell family had another big weekend as older brother Matthew was 3NZ in Andrews' class, while the group's youngest member Michael Bell took 3NZ in the Year 4-5 50cc intro trail class.

In addition, Isaac Ashworth was fifth in the Year 6-8 50cc trail, while Korbin McConchie came 14th in Year 7-8 65cc.

Up a grade is the Year 9-11 65cc class and the six Whanganui riders had a big ask to compete amongst such a stacked field - two separate groups of 44 riders, of which the Top 30 qualify based on fastest lap times, just to enter the five races over the two days.
Nikk Rangi was the pick of them finishing 5NZ, one spot ahead of Jet Ashworth, while Troy Bullock made the Top 10 and Ajay Jordan (15NZ) and grade newcomer Chase Williamson (26NZ) did their best.

Ajah Sullivan and Ella Burns missed qualifying, but were amongst the best of the rest as they entered the Year 9-11 65cc support class with the other eliminated riders - with Sullivan finishing third and Burns sixth.

"None of the kids gave up," said Bennetts.

"They gave everything they had both days, we could not be more proud of how far they have all made it this year."

Helping the large contingent go up as one big race team were their local sponsors including Garmac Engineering, and Forest Services and Training.

Total Span Wanganui provided a trailer, while all the children had support from family and other members of the club individually.

"Special thanks to our moto-x matriarch Hilary Ashworth for all of her time, organising, support, encouragement and passion to see all of our kids do their best to succeed with their moto-x dream," said Bennetts.