[Features]

NZ Insider No.43: 2015 Junior MX Nats

9 years ago | Words: Chris Ritchie

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the NZ Insider, penned by Chris Ritchie.

The 2015 New Zealand Junior Motocross Nationals were held near the King Country town of Te Kuiti over the weekend. Torrential rain from Thursday through to Friday threatened to curtail the event completely, with Friday’s programme abandoned after only two races were completed.

Fortunately the rain abated, and the area was baked in sunshine come Saturday morning, with the North King Country club officials deciding to delay proceedings until lunchtime. They were able to clear most of the mud from the track surface with plenty of machinery on hand, and once racing was recommenced after lunch, the track soon developed into a motocrosser’s dream, with many lines forming, testing the riders’ technical abilities, ensuring the ones who could master the track would be the ones who would reap the rewards.

Sunday’s weather was again warm and sunny, to the relief of all those involved, and guaranteed the five races per class would be completed, with some of the greatest Junior racing seen in recent years.

In the 8-10 years 85cc class, it was KTM youngster Cobie Bourke who claimed the national title, showing his class all weekend long with four out of five moto wins. Second was Manawatu’s Rhys Jillings, followed by Jared Hannon in third.

The 11-12 years 85cc class title went down to the fifth and final moto with the top three of Grason Veitch, Brodie Connolly and Marshall Phillips separated by only five points. Connolly fell on the final lap with only a handful of corners remaining, handing the victory to Veitch, who claimed the title ahead of his KTM rival, Connolly. Kawasaki’s Phillips clinched the final rostrum spot in third.

In the 13-16 years 85cc class, it was KTM’s Maximus Purvis who was unbeaten across the five races for a maximum haul of 125 points. His nearest challenger was Taihape’s Hayden Smith, second in class for the second consecutive year, with Husqvarna’s James Scott in third.

The 12-14 years 125cc class was won by Reefton’s Bailey Banks who dominated his competition, claiming four out of the five wins, ahead of Reece Lister in second, and Reef Wheki in third.

Yamaha’s Wyatt Chase swept all five motos in the 15-16 years 125cc class, claiming back-to-back NZ titles after winning the 13-16 years 85cc class in 2014. Chase was followed by Sean Kelly in second, and KTM’s Tony Cvitanovich rounding out the podium.

The 14-16 years 250F class also went down to the final moto on Sunday with both KTM’s Ben Broad and Honda’s Trent Collins finishing on 111 points each, with Broad claiming the title by virtue of his three out of five race wins. Third in the class went to Nelson’s Reece Walker.

In Australia, Appin offered up another mixed bag for the Kiwi contingent, with Rhys Carter the star of the show, proving he is a genuine front runner in the MX2 class aboard his Raceline Suzuki RM-Z250. Carter began the day qualifying a strong third, then went 5-7 for sixth Overall, while KTM’s Hamish Harwood went 6-10 for ninth Overall for the day.

In the MX1 class, Penrite Honda’s Cody Cooper had an uncharacteristic 9-10 scorecard for tenth Overall, while Kawasaki’s John Phillips went 12-13 for 13th Overall, and KTM’s Joel Meikle, in the MXD (Under 19s) class, went 20-8 for 12th Overall.

And finally, our boy Josiah Natzke is now only a matter of days away from his much-anticipated European EMX125 Championship debut this weekend at Arco di Trento, in northern Italy. The series kicks off at the famous Italian circuit, in conjunction with the fourth, and first European round of the 2015 World MXGP series.

Be the first to comment...

You might also like...

1 month ago

BAJA 1000: ‘BEYOND THE LINE’

‘Beyond the Line’: a cool, bite-sized insight to the iconic annual Baja 1000 race.

1 month ago

HOW-TO: REPLACE YOUR GRAPHICS – PROPERLY!

The six key steps involved in replacing your bike’s old, worn graphics.

1 month ago

GIFT A MATE – AMA SUPERMOTOCROSS VIDEO PASS

Buy your mate an exclusive ticket to watching AMA SX outside of the USA.

1 month ago

HOW-TO: CHAIN & SPROCKET REPLACEMENT

We walk you through the 10 key steps that’ll ensure your bike’s chain and sprocket are doing their job properly.

Royal Enfield

2 months ago

ROYAL ENFIELD’S HIMALAYAN 450 – FAQS ANSWERED

We answer your most FAQs about Royal Enfield’s landmark new Himalayan 450 adventure tourer.

2 months ago

HOW-TO: HANDLEBAR CONTROLS SET-UP

Eight simple steps to help you declutter, service and update your bike’s handlebar-mounted controls.

2 months ago

HOW-TO: FOOT-CONTROL SET-UP

Five simple steps to help you get your footpegs, rear brake pedal and gear-shift lever properly adjusted.

2 months ago

Harry Norton Takes the Helm at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Aussie Harry Norton has taken the step into the role as Team Manager of the Red Bull KTM race team.