Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis was top dog at the 2011 New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships in the South Island at the weekend.

The 11-year-old raced away with a string of five wins in the premier 9-11 years’ 65cc class over the two days at the Westland Motorcycle Club’s track at Ikamatua West, between Greymouth and Reefton.

Runner-up in the class was Australian visitor Tyler Darby, with Bulls’ rider Riley Campbell taking the third step on the podium.

The cream of New Zealand’s mini motocross racers put on a scintillating display at the KTM-sponsored event with outstanding individual performances shining through in all the various bike and age-group divisions.

The only other rider all weekend to celebrate a “perfect” five wins from five starts was Oparau’s Bree Scott, who dominated the Intro 50cc Trail class.

In some of the closest racing of the weekend, Dunedin’s Regan Turner (pictured above) finished 2-3-1-1-2 over the two days to narrowly clinch the 7-8 years’ 65cc class by just four points from Turangi’s Bailey Hardwidge, with Walton’s Brodie Connolly finishing third overall, just another four points further adrift.

Similarly dominant was Kaukapakapa’s Cruz Ware, who scored four wins and a third placing to wrap up the title in the 7-11 years’ Trail class. Wanganui’s Hunter Stoneman-Boyle finished runner-up in this class, with Hamilton’s Joel Taylor rounding out the podium.

Other class winners were Cobie Bourke, of Rangiora, who won the 6-8 years’ 50cc class, and Gore’s Ryan Tutty, who won the other Intro 50cc grade, while Turangi’s Oceaana Hardwidge won the girls’ all-in race.

In addition to KTM New Zealand, the event was sponsored by Prime Explosives, Fox Brigade, SportsPro Racing, Solid Energy Coals of New Zealand and Development West Coast.

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