Hamilton Motorcycle Club hosted this year’s 2011 Moto Trials Championship. It was great to see a good number of riders participate this year and good to see a vast number of riders step up grades.
What a great venue for all three days. Day one was overcast and was held at Wharepapa South. Day two was held in Rotoorangi and brought a few showers which made things interesting and attention grabbing as conditions became very greasy fast catching a few riders out. Day three was again overcast and held in Pirongia, all in Te Awamutu.
North V’s South was held on the second day and the North Island took this win on 39 points and the South Island on 25 points, congratulations to the North Island team. New Zealand Experts day was held on day one and Jake Whitaker took this win, Warren Laugesen in second and Karl Clark in third.
Five riders contested Expert Grade this year. Beta rider Jake Whitaker showed why he is Australian and New Zealand Champion taking out the win on 21 points lost for the whole weekend. Jakes overseas riding has raised his level of skill again and Europe must be the place to be to improve and to learn from the best in the world. A good fought battle was held between Beta riders Karl Clark and Warren Laugesen for second and third placing’s. Karl Clark took out second place with two seconds and a third and Warren Laugesen in third having one second and two third placing’s. A top effort from Matt Foster, Beta, coming fourth and Blake Fox Gas Gas 125cc in fifth place.
A-Grade was another closing fought battle. Luke March, Beta, returning to the sport after injury and time away showing he has not lost the touch, receiving a first, second and third place. Up and coming rider, John Haynes on his Beta 125cc having a first, second and fourth placing and Carl Robson, Beta, having a third, fifth and first placing. These were the top three position placing’s for the weekend, followed closely by Phillip Shilton, Montesa, in fourth and Callum Anderson, Beta, on fifth place.
Intermediate Grade was the second largest grade for the weekend. Kevin Pinfold riding Ossa showing his experience taking clear wins for all three days. James Snowden on his Beta taking all second placing’s and Liam Draper also on Beta taking two thirds and one fourth giving him third overall. The rest of the grade was closely battled by all but Daniel Clark, Montesa, sneaking in for fourth and Mark Henderson, Scorpa, who hadn’t ridden all year coming in fifth place overall.
Clubman Grade was the largest contested grade. Day one was a low scoring day making a point here and there very costly. Day two and three were very close points throughout this grade. David Trewin riding Gas Gas, taking out the win for the weekend, Thomas Evans, Gas Gas, in second and a top effort from Beta rider Gabby Gundry to take out third place. Gavin Fox, Gas Gas, having a cracker of a ride on day three (first place) coming in fourth place and Neil McCabe, Montesa, in fifth place.
Due to an on-going protest pending the Presidents Grade placing’s cannot be determined at this stage.
An impressive effort by all the Junior Grade riders. All three boys riding Gas Gas. Ben McLeod took the overall win, Henry Buck who gave a gutsy effort in second place and first time New Zealand Championship rider Gareth Wadsworth coming third. Well done boys.
The Twin Shock grade had two grades, Pre 87 and Pre 65. In the Pre 87 class Paul McLeod took the overall win, Paul Jackson in second, Peter Osborne in third and John Mortimer in fourth. In the Pre 65 Class Stephen Armistead took out first and George Charlton in Second. In the overall Twin Shock class Paul McLeod was first, Paul Jackson second, Peter Osborne third, Stephen Armistead fourth, John Mortimer fifth and George Charlton sixth. Great to see the older bikes out and about.
For the first time a Women’s Open Shield was up for grabs kindly donated by Warren and Caron Laugesen. Steph Downs became the first women to receive this shield, well done Steph. Second was Gabby Gundry and third was Lisa Shilton.
For photos click here or visit this website
Congratulations to all those who took part. No doubt you are all looking forward to a successful and enjoyable 2012 season.
Also don’t forget about the World Trials Championship coming to Australia in May 26th and 27th 2011. This will be the closest that a WTC has ever been to New Zealand and will be well worth the trip.
2011 NZ Moto Trials Champsionship.pdf (510.42 kb)