It was the best of both worlds when Honda riders Chris Power and Cameron Dillon joined forces at the weekend – endurance and cunning combining with pace and exuberance to form a potent team.

The two men rarely cross paths – Paeroa’s Power an enduro expert and Taupo’s Dillon a motocross ace – but they were the ideal team-mates to tackle the Castrol Honda Six-Hour cross-country endurance race at Matata, in the Bay of Plenty, on Sunday, eventually winning it ahead of the pairing of Huntly’s Michael Vining and Onewhero’s Jim Orton (KTM300EXC).

With Power’s cousin, and usual team-mate, Karl Power still out of action with injury, the call had gone out for Dillon to assist as co-rider.

The motocross star had been forced to take a break from competing in the motocross nationals after suffering from a crash, but he decided the 6-Hour race would be good training before hitting the motocross circuit again.

Sharing the duties on Power’s Honda CRF450, the two men were up with the leaders soon after the start, Power taking the bike into fourth spot early on.

“The first lap is always dicey as riders try and find their place in the freight train,” Power explained.

“The O’Dea team (brothers John and Lance, co-riding a Husqvarna TXC 310) got off to a flyer, with Whakatane’s Mitchell Rees (Yamaha YZ450F), Ohope’s Conrad Edwards (KTM 300EXC), Huntly’s Michael Vinning and myself running wheel-to-wheel. This was how much of the race played out, with everyone having a taste of the lead.

“First to bow out was Mitchell after he collected some trees, followed by the Husqvarna team with technical problems. It was down to the Honda team and the KTM riders who were super fast. Cam (Dillon) proved he’s not only good on the motocross track with fast times and consistent laps.

“Cam brought home the win on the last lap for Team Honda by a close margin of 30 seconds, the closest finish so far in the event, but another Castrol Honda 6 Hour done and another win for Honda.

“This is the fourth time I have been part of the winning team in the five times I have raced it. I missed last year due to injury,” Power said.

For teenager Dillon, it was a new experience and he was thrilled to win on debut at the Castrol Honda 6-Hour.

“It was good for me to race this event and get some confidence back,” said the 19-year-old.

“I was able to find my groove again on the bike. It’s the first time I’ve raced this event and to win on debut is pretty good.”

© Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com