Fresh Names to go on Trophies

FRESH NAMES TO GO ON TROPHIES

DECEMBER 2, 2013:

The trophy engravers are in for a busy time this week.

The dust settled at the annual New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships near Kihikihi at the weekend to reveal a swathe of fresh names at the top of the points standings in all but two of the 16 classes.

It was business as usual for Canterbury’s Dean Baird, the 42-year-old Christchurch panel-beater winning the 40-44 years’ over-300cc class for a second consecutive season, although he had to settle for runner-up spot overall in the 40-44 years’ under-300cc class, beaten to the top spot by Nelson’s Bryan Heaphy.

“I was runner-up in the under-300cc class last year too,” Baird shrugged. “I was second to Blenheim’s Steve Lange last year. I guess I just can’t crack that class ... but then I don’t ride a 250cc bike very often anyway.

“Overall I was pretty happy with my weekend. It’s great to see the veterans and women’s motocross is still so popular.”

While Baird and Heaphy (who won the 35-39 years’ over-300cc class last season) were repeat winners this year, all of the other title at The Honda Shop-sponsored two-day event went to new champions.

Te Puke’s Robby Stewart was unbeaten in all five races as he won the 30-34 years’ over-300cc class; Inglewood’s Nathan West topped the 30-34 years’ under-300cc division; Cambridge’s Damien King dominated the 35-39 years’ over-300cc class; Hamilton’s Dwayne Rameka blitzed the 35-39 years’ under-300cc class; New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe won both the 45-49 years’ over-300cc class and the 45-49 years’ under-300cc class; Waimauku’s Mark Buxeda won the 50-54 years’ all-capacities class; Te Kuiti’s Wayne Strachan won the 55-59 years’ all-capacities class; Te Awamutu’s Graham Adams won the 60-64 years’ all-capacities class and Palmerston North’s Peter Palmer won the over-65 years’ all-capacities class.

In the women’s championships, Turangi’s Oceania Hardwidge won the junior women’s class 1; New Plymouth’s Mikayla Rowe won the junior women’s class 2; Taihape’s Sarah Elwin won the senior women’s title and Te Puke’s Mary Wanhill won the veteran women’s (over-30 years) crown.

ENDS

© Scoop Media