MARCH 30, 2011: Tauranga’s Phillip Shilton will be hoping to turn local knowledge into valuable points at rounds three and four of the North Island Moto Trials Championships in the Bay of Plenty this weekend.

The series kicked off with rounds one and two near Wellington in February, persistent rain making conditions very difficult for the riders, although Shilton was one man who did cope well, dominating the A Grade that weekend.

South Islander Blake Fox, from Brighton, Lower Hutt’s Carl Robson and Napier’s Matthew Knox are expected to seriously challenge Shilton.

The smart money is on Kiwi international Jake Whitaker to again rule the top category, the Expert Grade, just as he did at Wellington, although Nelson’s Karl Clark and New Plymouth’s Matthew Foster will seek to keep him honest.

Hosted by the Tauranga Motorcycle Club, day one on Saturday is scheduled for Wharry Road, Waihi, signposted from State Highway 25. Day two on Sunday is 745 Number Four Road, near Te Puke, signposted from State Highway 2.

Top riders to look for in the intermediate grade include vastly experienced Ashhurst rider Kevin Pinfold, who leads the class after round one, along with Auckland’s James Snowden and Wellington’s Robert Howard.

Renwick’s Brendan Wadsworth is also expected to again make the pilgrimage north for the weekend’s action and he will attempt to stretch his lead at the top of the presidents’ grade, fending off the threats posed by equally talented riders such as Tauranga’s Warwick Merriman, Paraparaumu’s Kevin Tither and Tauranga’s Kevin Gundry.

Junior riders Benjamin McLeod, of Te Puke, and Tauranga’s Jacob Gundry should also be worth watching.

With this sport, the emphasis for this sport is not on speed, with the prime aim to conquer the extreme terrain without touching feet on the ground or falling off. Points are lost for these “faults” and a rider with the lowest score wins.

Access to both days’ riding will be signposted from the respective main roads. There is no charge for spectators. Riding starts at 10am on both days.

Rounds five and six are set for the Manawatu region on April 30 and May 1. The 10-round series wraps up in Hawke’s Bay on July 16-17.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Tauranga’s Phillip Shilton, always a threat for A Grade honours. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

The NZ champs from 22 Oct to 24 Oct this year are at three venues centred around Te Awamutu. I urge you to be considering your accommodation early as it is Rugby world cup time and we cannot say how much room will be available in and around Hamilton especially as Auckland is getting extra games and Hamilton is an easy commute from them. Te Awamutu would be a convenient place to stay for the Trials event. The Hamilton Motorcycle club organising committee has asked me to be the coordinating person for accommodation so if you have need of a billet you can contact me at jim1@xtra.co.nz or if in need of hotel, motel or campsite etc you may like to view the Te Awamutu info centre website www.teawamutuinfo.com where you will also be able to make bookings. If it is info regarding the Trials venues you can keep updated on www.hamiltonmcc.org As I go to print I am still waiting for the Australians to decide if and when they can come and contest the Oceania shield but at this stage I can see only one possibility and that is them coming for the NZ champs weekend. We will be running a twin shock class so watch for developments in this area.          

 Jim Henderson for Hamilton MCC and MNZ 

Moto Trials Newsletter March 2011-03-17

Hi from my desk which is hot and bothered with more flies than I have ever seen at our house.         

Firstly I would like to offer my condolences to all in and around Christchurch for the suffering that they are having to endure. May it end soon.                   

 I think that Trials riders will consider the Mick Andrews visit to NZ will be a highlight of the Trials year. He is a people person, a gracious champion, an excellent teacher and a lot of fun. I am sure that all who met him went away with a positive attitude toward the sport and a lot of worthwhile knowledge [if we could get him to stay in NZ we could make him Commissioner]. Thank you to those who made the Mick Andrews tour possible.         

AGM and workshops on 20 – 22 May. While we had a hiccup with one of the decisions that came out of last year’s workshop I feel that it was a worthwhile weekend. If we could see representation from all areas we could probably avoid the possibility of having to “U-turn” a decision in the future. Having a group of open minded enthusiastic Trials people in one room at the same time without their bikes is ‘priceless’. I hope you can make it.         

Jim Henderson

Mt Benger March 2011.pdf (45.32 kb)

I apologise that the following Gated Trial results are not complete. Unfortunately some riders scores for some laps were not recorded on the sheet or their scorecard.

Mt Benger Gated Trial Results.pdf (22.16 kb)

        A change of venue was made due to the Christchurch region still moving and it would have been quite tricky to peg sections with the rocks still moving. So, a decision was made to move to Omihi - suited me as it's a shorter drive. After a fairly dreary drive through mist and cloud we were greeted by a fine, clear, sunny day and a temperature of around 23 degrees. Good trials riding weather.

        Shane and Rocky (I mean Andy) had set the sections the previous day in quite damp conditions but all the sections were quite dry with good traction. The only exception being Section 4 which contained a greasy climb and descent. Sections 1-7 were in the gully by the cars and included logs, tight turns and hill climbs. Sections 8-10 were up the track and in the open on the steep banks.

        The frist lap took us nearly 3 hours but that was due to the numbers recently swelling in the Expert Grade. Eight of us in a group made for slow going but it was a nice day so what was the rush, plus it meant no one could get away with any missed dabs with all the watchful eyes. The sections were variations of previous trials but there was nothing to be complacent about. I witnessed a couple of 5's by those that shall remain nameless, on quite easy obstacles. Section 7 almost required a map or atleast a GPS route-finder as it twisted and turned tightly through the trees. My own personnel nemesis for this trial was Section 10. I couldn't manage better than a 2 all day. Glenn and Rat had a clean and Stef had a blinding ride on the last lap for a well deserved 1.

All in all a very enjoyable day, thanks to the section setters, score counters and sausage cookers. Horsford Downs in a fornight for the final round of the Summer Series. Don't miss it because there are lots of sausages to be eaten……………!

Cheers All
John R

We are giving friends, family and the general public a wonderful opportunity to help Jake continue his quest for the 2011 Junior World Trials Championship by becoming a member of the Supporters Club.
 

How it works:  You simply choose which category you want to be and then pay the donation to Jake.  There are four categories to choose to join and the cost varies between these. 

Bronze – $25.00, acknowledgment of your support on Jakes Web site. 

Silver - $100.00, you will receive a weekly report from Jake on his events whilst he is away competing directly to your email and acknowledgment of your support on Jakes Web site. 

Gold - $250.00, you will receive weekly personal emails of what Jake has been up to during the week with training, competing etc., acknowledgment of your support on Jakes Web Site and Naming Rights to one of his Italian races.  So for example when Jake sends you a write up it would be headed:  Joe Blogs – Sponsor of the Italian Castellinaldo Hard Trial.   

Platinum - $500 and over, you will receive weekly personal emails of what Jake has been up to during the week with training, competing etc., acknowledgment of your support on Jakes Web Site, your name would be mentioned on any media write up or interview, Signed Certificate of acknowledgement and Naming Rights to one of his World Championship Races.  So for example when Jake sends you a write up it would be headed:  Joe Blogs – Sponsor of the Japan World Championship.   Please get behind Jake to help him with his on-going quest to represent New Zealand in the 2011 World Trials Championship.   

Please contact Jake to join the Supporters Club now!
If you know of anyone that may be interested in this opportunity please feel free to pass this information on. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

RegardsTeam Whitaker   

Jake Whitaker, Georgina Skeet, Karl & Debbie Clark 

Summer Series Omihi.pdf (8.58 kb)

The Nelson trials group now have their own website.

http://nelsontrialsgroup.wordpress.com/

Check it out for all the news and results from their end of the island.

Moto Trials Championship

In Association with the Nelson Motorcycle Club 

To all Riders,

Due to the postponement of the Alexandra Round we would like to inform you that Nelson is now holding  South Island Rounds 1 & 2 on the 16th & 17th April.  This event will be held just out of Motueka.  We suggest that you book your accommodation in this town.  The local Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park has offered again a 10% discount off your accommodation if you book with them.  All you need to do is say that you are a “Moto Trials Rider” when making the booking, so please support this business as they are supporting us.  Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment as this is the start of the school holidays and can be quite busy for Motueka Township.  Here are their web site details: http://www.motuekatop10.co.nz/  

The venue is to be held at Drummonds property.  Turn off at left at the bottom of the Takaka Hill (click here for directions) or (see map attached), it is a 15/20 minute drive from the Top Ten Holiday Park as well as two garages on the way past for fuel/food. 

Section Layout:
Sections will be consisted of rocks on side of hills and in creeks.  A prize giving and BBQ will be held at the property after the event unless wet it will be held at the Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park.  We will advise this at briefing on the Sunday. 

Entries are to be sent to Craig Mills, the address is on the entry form attached. 
A reminder that entries will close 6 April 2011 so get your entry in today!!

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact:  

Karl Clark                                                        or                    Craig Mills

karlanddebbie@gmail.com                                                  craig@turbochargersnz.com 

Kind Regards

Debbie & Karl Clark