The second round of the Kawasaki Sandpit Two man series was always going to be interesting with both Chris Birch and Karl Power away on overseas duties it freed up the top step and the team that filled it came as no surprise.

The track differed a lot from the 1st round, the track was tighter in places and open enough for deep sand whoops to form in others. The organisers were again blessed with another brilliant day on two counts, the numbers attending and the weather.

The track proved to be very demanding and with a lack in concentration it could swallow you up in no time.

The day was dominated by the Husqvarna Team of Sam Greenslade and Gary Almond, with the talented Greenslade posting an eye watering opening lap they never looked back and proved there worth. Second place overall showed a coming of age for the solo Kawasaki rider Luke Uhrle.

Urhle piloted his Spectrum Motorcycles KXF250 to a brilliant and well-deserved 1st in class and 2nd place overall, proving a recent stint racing in the states had a positive effect on the youngster.

Third place overall and 2nd in expert class was taken by the determined pair of Scott Barr-Smith and Ryan Page posting consistent times all day.

Third place in the expert class was an epic battle between the Aktins brothers and the Kawasaki team of Sam Cummings and Dean McCormack, the Atkins team eventually came out on top by a margin of just 4 seconds.

Just like the first round the ironman (and ladies) class was huge with 72 riders in this class alone. The top three set consistent times in the heat. Luke Urhle took the spoils, followed closely by the talented Mike Skinner, who posted a 2nd in class and a 4th overall, the youngster Freddie Milford-Cottam taking the 3rd spot.

The vets’ class was a little closer this time round. Stephen Tapling and Eddie Migstand finishing 58 seconds ahead of an on-form Craig Brown and Daniel Hoskins. Just 1.33minutes behind was the team of Steve Price and Steve Major. The clubman class had Jason Fox and David Salmons coming in to take 1st place followed by teams of Fitzpatrick/Hamblyn and Griffiths/Yardley.

The mixed team had some talented riders turn up to again to battle, Julie Greenslade and Caleb Van Dragt taking the spoils followed by the husband and wife team of Mark Penny and Ilana Wilks, Greg Bevan and Sarah Fox taking third place. The newcomers in the novice class saw the wily Garry Smith and Peter Thomas taking the win with the Blom brothers in second and the team of Tony Greg and Scott Little taking third.

Because of the large number of classes its hard to mention all the riders. So for full results and all the action from the junior and ladies races check out www.thesandpit.co.nz

Words by Brendan Abel

Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com