If speed is of the essence in cross-country motorcycle racing, then Mokau’s Adrian Smith is your man.

The 28-year-old Awakino Gorge sheep and beef farmer not only won the opening round of the Dirt Guide Cross-Country Series near Tokoroa on Saturday, he also whipped through the timing zone so far ahead of his nearest rivals that he was sent out to do an extra lap, becoming the only rider to complete six laps.

He was waved on to keep racing because time had not yet elapsed in the two-hour race when he arrived at the timing zone at the end of lap five … and it’s not the first time that’s happened to the Yamaha ace.

But, while it might be said Smith’s too fast for his own good – stretching his race out to an arduous two hours and 25 minutes – speed was his friend when the race was at the mid-way stage.

“There were a few sections where riders were stuck on steep up-hills. Because I managed to keep my momentum, I was able to keep going, weaving among them and carrying on,” explained Smith (Yamaha YZ250).

“The track was amazing and a lot of fun. It’s one of the best tracks I’d ridden, with lots of steep up-hills, but also plenty of ruts and it was hard work dodging around other riders. As long as I maintained a good pace, it was all good for me.

“The turn-out of riders was very good and that’s probably because (organiser) Sean Clarke puts on such great events. The calibre of riders was good too, with Cam Smith (Marton), Adam Reeves (Palmerston North), Jake Whitaker (Wainuiomata), Liam Draper (Auckland), Sam Greenslade (Auckland) and Simon Lansdaal (Morrinsville) just a few of the top, national-level riders who kept me honest.”

Cam Smith (no relation) fought through traffic after a bad start and was hounding four-time national cross-country champion Adrian Smith but then dropped out when his chain snapped.

“He (Cam Smith) was looking pretty good and I feel for him. That was bad luck.”

Eventual runner-up was Greenslade, with Lansdaal, Draper and Feilding’s Freddie Milford-Cottam rounding out the top five.

BikesportNZ.com Yamaha rider Smith said he would be back for round two, also near Tokoroa, on June 28 and would also race at the third and final round on July 26.

“The dates for this series don’t clash with any other races for me this year, so it would be nice to do the whole thing.”

Smith will, however, be skipping the stand-alone annual Tarawera 100 off-road marathon near Kawerau in July while he takes a short holiday in Rarotonga with his girlfriend.

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

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